Finance Officer at Public Services International

Location: Ferney-Voltaire, France
Last Date: January 30, 2011
Email: Alexandre.Kamarotos@world-psi.org

Vacancy at PSI Head Office: Finance Officer

Public Services International is looking for a suitably skilled person to work as Finance Officer at the PSI Head Office in Ferney-Voltaire, France. She or he will manage the finance department and be responsible for organising and maintaining financial and accounting services in order to meet legislative requirements and support PSI activities and offices.


Location: PSI Head Office, Ferney-Voltaire, France (on the outskirts of Geneva, Switzerland)
Team: Finance
Travel: 10% travel requirement

Closing date for applications: 30 January 2011
Starting date: As soon as possible

Public Services International is a global union federation that represents the interests of 20 million public sector workers in 160 countries (650 affiliated Trade Unions). PSI’s mission is to improve working and living conditions for all and to promote quality public services for the benefit of all citizens. PSI’s Head Office is based in Ferney-Voltaire (France) and PSI has regional, sub-regional and project offices around the world.

Overall responsibilities
The Finance Officer manages the finance department and is responsible for organising and maintaining financial and accounting services in order to meet legislative requirements and support PSI activities and offices:

 Supervise all aspects of PSI finances, budgets and audits.
 Administer and monitor the financial system.
 Manage, supervise and coordinate the work of the Finance team.
 Consolidate and develop all PSI financial procedures, monitoring and standards in the PSI Head Office and regional/sub-regional offices.
 Coordinate budget implementation, monitoring and auditing in the PSI Head Office and regional/sub-regional offices.

Assigned Duties
• Oversee cash flow and transfers, and supervise and monitor financial accounting and reporting in the Head Office and regional/sub-regional offices;
• Monitor cash reserves and investments;
• Ensure that all PSI transactions are recorded in an accurate and timely manner, and that they comply with PSI accounting policies, legislative requirements and other applicable standards;
• Monitors and follow up on receivables and payables;
• Develop and adapt accounting policies and PSI financial procedures in accordance with the recommendations of the external auditors (management letter);
• Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all financial reporting, including for projects;
• Organise and coordinate the preparation of statutory financial statements, ensuring compliance with PSI accounting policies, legislative requirements and other applicable standards;
• Organise and coordinate the annual budget preparation process;
• Follow-up budgetary, financial and audit matters for PSI Head Office, regional and sub-regional offices and projects throughout their life cycle including support in planning, budgeting, agreements and contracts, reports, disbursements, audits, etc.;
• Organise and coordinate the external and internal audits of PSI and monitor the implementation of any recommendations;
• Oversee management of financial records (both digital and paper);
• Prepare or coordinate the preparation of necessary reports required (e.g. to the Board of Trustees, Executive Board, Steering Committee);
• Identify areas for improvement in the relevant policy framework and systems, procedures, recommend changes and implement the agreed recommendations;
• Supervise, coach and coordinate the Finance team;
• Any other financial duties as required.

Required Qualifications

Education:
Essential: University degree in business, commerce or accounting plus a professional certification in accounting, financial planning and/or internal audit.
Desirable: MBA or M.Sc. in a related area or equivalent work experience.

Skills:
• Ability to present financial information effectively;
• High level of integrity and commitment to professional responsibilities;
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to deliver within set quality standards and within set deadlines;
• Good team leader;
• Initiative and ability to work independently;
• Good planning and organisational skills;
• Ability to work effectively with internal or external partners and PSI affiliates;
• Ability to work in international and multicultural environments;
• Ability to improve current processes or tools;
• Capacity to question one's work, seek continual improvement in the services, systems or one's knowledge.

Experience:
• At least seven years’ experience in financial accounting and reporting;
• Several years in the international public or non-profit sector;
• At least two years in a supervisory/managerial position;
• Working knowledge and experience of treasury function;
• Audit experience;
• Work experience in trade unions is an asset;
• Working knowledge of gender equality, gender budgeting and reporting.

Languages:
Excellent level of English (both written and spoken) and a good working knowledge of French is required. Other languages (such as Spanish) are an asset.

Supervision:
The Finance Officer reports to the PSI Deputy General Secretary.


TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

PSI offers competitive terms and conditions of employment and is an equal opportunities employer. The post is advertised from Grade 56 of the PSI scale, a higher grade may be decided according to experience. Terms and conditions of work are laid out in the PSI collective agreement.

How to apply
Candidates are requested to:

• Produce a letter of intent including skills and relevant experience, and explaining her/his motivation to apply for this position (max. 1000 words in English);
• Attach a full Curriculum Vitae and a recent photograph;
• Provide the names and contact details for three referees.

Please contact Alexandre Kamarotos, PSI Deputy General Secretary, for more information at +33 (0)4 50 40 12 12

Deadline for reception of applications: 30 January 2011

Applications with all relevant supporting documentation should be sent by email to:

Alexandre.Kamarotos@world-psi.org and recruitment@world-psi.org

Public Services International
45 Avenue Voltaire
BP 9
01211 Ferney-Voltaire, CEDEX
France
Tel: +33 (0)4 50 40 64 64
Fax: +33 (0)4 50 40 73 20
www.world-psi.org