These positions are located in the United Nations Field Peacekeeping Operations, Special Political Missions, Service Centers and Offices as applicable. The Fixed Asset Management Officer usually reports to a Property Management or Fixed Asset Officers at the P-4 level. The incumbent is responsible for the maintenance of fixed assets records in the mission. Additional duties include providing support for capital budgeting as well as provision of strategic property management functions.
Within delegated authority, the Fixed Asset Management Officer at this level will be responsible for the following duties:
- Oversees the proper maintenance of the fixed asset register by recording information related to fixed assets and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of such information, which includes but is not limited to data relating to the stewardship and control of fixed assets; costs related to the acquisition and disposal (including transfers and retirement) of fixed assets; expenditures related to fixed assets; depreciation charges; impairment charges.
- Ensures the accurate compilation of Asset Under Construction (AUC) project costs into fixed asset accounts and closes out those accounts once the related AUC has been completed.
- Ensures the accurate tracking of existing fixed assets, implements, and monitors the periodic physical verification review process.
- Investigates whether conditions of potential impairment of fixed assets exist and implements and monitors the annual impairment review process and the resulting adjustments in accounting entries.
- Investigates the potential obsolescence of fixed assets and implements and monitors the annual useful life review process.
- Coordinates with property appraisal focal points to ensure that property values are complete and accurate.
- Undertakes analysis for fixed assets on a regular basis and oversees the proper maintenance of financial records in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) Policy Framework and related UN IPSAS policies. Activities include but are not limited to: Posting depreciations, impairments, revaluations, asset retirement obligations (AROs) and AUC project costs; Reviewing and updating detailed schedules including annual additions and disposals, accumulated depreciation, and roll-forward tables; Closing out accounts at year end and supporting reconciliation of accounting balance of fixed assets; Preparing audit schedules relating to fixed assets, assisting in the preparation of financial statements and footnotes, and assisting auditors in their inquiries; Maintaining fixed asset sub ledgers including data entry or import of capital equipment into fixed asset sub ledgers and review of supporting documentation, as needed; Confirming the accuracy and completeness of fixed asset records including system updates, manual journal entries, account reconciliations, and analyses.
- Maintains the fixed asset accounting framework established by Headquarters and detailed in standard operating procedures (SOPs) by: Engaging with other stakeholders to ensure proper and efficient accounting methods as well as understanding their business needs as it pertains to fixed asset accounting transactions and reports; Ensuring compliance with Headquarters' policy relating to fixed assets; Developing and maintaining fixed asset accounting procedures in accordance with Headquarters' guidelines.
- Supports the strategic property management function. Activities include but are not limited to: Making recommendations on improvement of asset utilization and disposal; Reviewing and updating standard costs to be applied in the system of records for fixed asset acquisitions; Monitoring implementation of KPIs to identify areas for improvement, ensuring compliance with performance management policy and preparing reports and trend analysis to support performance management analysis conducted by Property Management Unit/LSD; Contributing to the establishment of strategic priorities and long-term resource planning- at the local level.
- Provides guidance in relation to IPSAS accounting and makes appropriate recommendations to Finance and/or Management for changes in accounting policy.
- Acts as knowledge expert on SAP Fixed Asset Module and asset settlement processes and assists with the maintenance of fixed asset ledgers within the SAP fixed asset management module, which includes configuration, master data maintenance, depreciation calculations and reporting.
- Reviewing, documenting, and improving existing guidelines and instructions for all fixed asset related processes.
- Ensures accuracy and integrity of information in fixed asset register by: Monitoring the established system of controls, procedures, and forms for the recording of fixed assets; Implementing SOPs, monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), and analyzing financial records; Monitoring compliance with accounting and business policies.
- Supports the capital budgeting function. Activities include but are not limited to: Reconciliation of actual expenditures against budgeted amounts and budget performance analysis conducted by a finance team; Provision of inputs into budget estimates and capital budgeting preparation.
- Ability to run and analyze Business Intelligence reports.
- Performs other related duties as required.
Professionalism: Knowledge of IPSAS requirements in relation to fixed assets. Knowledge of property management and/or real estate. Ability to apply conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills in accounting operations. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, formulate options and make conclusions and recommendations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in property management, asset management, accounting, real estate, business administration or related field is required. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of five (5) years with a master's degree or seven (7) years with a bachelor's degree of progressively responsible professional experience in property management, accounting, finance and budget is required.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
The United Nations Secretariat maintains rosters of qualified and available candidates to fill anticipated job openings in peacekeeping operations, special political missions, and other field operations.
The purpose of this job opening is to generate a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in the Fixed Asset Management Officer, P-3 roster. The entire assessment process takes an average of six months; all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently will be invited to apply for field mission vacancies open only to roster members. Roster membership does not guarantee selection.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 March 2022, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, China, Comoros, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
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