Ramsar Secretariat seeks Finance Officer

Position vacancy: Finance Officer
Ramsar Convention Secretariat
Gland, Switzerland

RESPONSIBILITIES
The Finance Officer is responsible for the financial administration of the Ramsar Convention, facilitating positive relationships with donors, providing clear financial information to the Contracting Parties to the Convention (Member States) and advising the Secretary General on the financial viability of the Convention. He/she is responsible for financial management within the Secretariat through the provision of accurate and timely information on both core and project finances. The Finance Officer will adjust to the needs of the Secretariat's recurring triennial cycle.

The Finance Officer has a major role in the effective management of the resources of the Convention. Responsible for approximately CHF 4 million in project funds; and CHF 4 million in annual contributions to the core budget.

DUTIES
The Finance Officer is involved in all areas of preparation of budgets; working closely with the Secretary General for the core budget, and the regional teams for projects. The Finance Officer is responsible for the following operational tasks:

• Reviewing and, if necessary, adapting the Convention's administrative processes and procedures in accordance with the processes and accounting standards of IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
• Preparing budgets for the Convention for approval by the Standing Committee and the triennial Conference of the Parties.
• Calculating the annual contributions (the core funding of the Secretariat) and reviewing the invoicing process for the Secretariat.
• Presenting the yearly budget to the Standing Committee.
• Presenting monthly core financial expenditures.
• Preparing travel and expense advances for all related meetings.
• During the year of the Conference of the Parties, taking responsibility for sponsored delegates' travel and travel costs.
• The Finance Officer is responsible for the overview and control of all contracts and keeps a register of payments and due dates.
• For projects, is responsible for directing the fund-raising, preparing budgets and proposed budgets, controlling the expenditures and reporting to donors.
• Correct preparation and coding of invoices, payments for submission to the authorizing signatories and of budget entries.

Supervisory responsibilities: the Assistant Regional Advisors are under the Finance Officer's guidance for all budgets and payments for the projects; the Senior Administrative Assistant is under the Finance Officer's guidance regarding statements and acknowledgements for annual contributions.

SPECIFIC STRATEGIC TASKS
The Finance Officer is particularly responsible for:

• Providing a clear picture and understanding of the financial health of the Ramsar Secretariat, including the development of a set of financial performance indicators in cooperation with IUCN's financial management.
• Closely liaising with IUCN to ensure provision of high quality financial information to the Convention's bodies.
• Integration of Ramsar's accounting structure and financial processes into IUCN's structure under the guidance of IUCN's financial management.
• Ensuring that the budgeting process reflects and supports the Strategic Plan and the priorities of the Convention.
• Providing support and high quality relevant information to fundraising efforts to ensure adequate income and strong interest and commitment from donors.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Formal qualification in accounting, business administration or business economics.
• 6-8 years experience in financial administration, budgeting and reporting.
• Strong computer skills, especially in Excel and IUCN's accounting system - Sun.
• Proven experience in the design, adaptation and implementation of accounting procedures.
• Excellent spoken and written English. French would be an advantage.
• Affiliation or membership of a professional accounting body desired.

The position requires:

• Experience in all aspects of accounting for projects and business.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to make a clear link between the priorities of the Convention and the required financial means to implement them.
• Developing, formatting, preparing and presenting financial reports and consistently meeting reporting deadlines.
• A diplomatic sense of communication with the ability to distinguish appropriate communications and interaction with colleagues from different cultures.
• A proactive, resourceful nature responding to problems quickly.

SALARY
The gross annual salary for this position is in the range from CHF 96,160 to CHF 120,200, subject to deductions for social security contributions and second-pillar pension, and before tax.

STARTING DATE: as soon as possible.

APPLICATIONS SHOULD INCLUDE:

a) An application letter in English of no more than two pages, briefly describing the suitability of the candidate for the post in relation to the criteria stated above.
c) A curriculum vitae.
d) The names/contact details of three referees, including one recent employer.

E-mail applications are preferred. They should be sent only to the following address before 21 April 2008: jobapplications@iucn.org