THE OECD – Who we are, what we do

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation comprised of 38 member countries, that works to build better policies for better lives. Our mission is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.  Together with governments, policy makers and citizens, we work on establishing evidence-based international standards, and finding solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. From improving economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion, we provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORATE (EXD)

The Executive Directorate (EXD) is the steward of OECD resources, on behalf of the Secretary-General.  Our focus is on people and their wellbeing; the effective and efficient management of the budget; the safety and security of staff, Delegations, visitors, and of the OECD’s data; maintaining and sustaining physical and digital infrastructure; and enabling the convening power of the OECD through conferences, meetings and events, whether virtual, physical or hybrid.  As well as providing corporate services, functions and management support to our staff and Members, we provide integrated, strategic and expert advice on corporate policies and management issues to the Secretary-General, to Council and to Standing Committees, to which we regularly report on corporate matters. We also provide risk management functions (for management areas under our purview). Ours is a fast-paced environment focused on delivering management excellence across all of our functions.

THE PROGRAMME, BUDGET AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICE (EXD/PBF)

Within the Executive Directorate (EXD), the Programme, Budget, and Financial Management Service (EXD/PBF), employs a workforce of approximately 115 staff who provide stewardship of the Organisation’s financial resources on behalf of the Secretary-General. The service is composed of six main business units: Accounting & Financial Support Division; Corporate Procurement Group; Engagement and Strategic Transformation Division; Programme of Work Management Division; Resource Management Systems Division; and Voluntary Contribution Management Group. 

Within EXD/PBF, the Accounting & Financial Support Division (EXD/PBF/AFS) assures the proper accounting of all OECD budgetary decisions, executes all accounting transactions, manages the treasury and ensures that proper internal controls are carried out on a continuous basis in compliance with the OECD Financial Regulations and Internal Control Framework. The Division produces the Organisation’s financial statements, quarterly financial reports and is the main interlocutor with the Organisation’s external auditors. The Division has 4 main areas of work: treasury, expenditure accounting, revenue accounting and financial reporting.

THE POSITION

The Accounting & Financial Support (AFS) Division is looking for Corporate Accountants . The Selected candidates will work in close collaboration with the OECD Financial Community and other divisions of EXD/PBF, and will repot to the Head of Section in either Expenditure or Revenue Recognition.

Main Responsibilities

Candidates should have relevant experience in one or both of the following areas:

Corporate Accounting – Expenditure

• Master Expenditure management applications (Concur, SEM, Invitations) to provide expert advice and support to end users across the Organisation.
• Prepare and process expenditure-related accounting transactions (missions, invitations, statutory expenditure and staff costs, etc.) in corporate accounting systems.
• Maintain accounts in corporate accounting systems, ensuring timely follow-up with internal stakeholders.
• Extract, analyse and interpret data from the relevant sources (SAP, BusinessObjects, etc.), to facilitate strategic, data-driven decision-making by management.
• Assist in the production and preparation of supporting documentation of annual financial statements based on International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), as necessary.
• Actively engage in defining, designing, and implementing automation for accounting processes.
• Posting of US Taxes and reconciliations
• Analysis of anomalies and unreconcilied amounts in suspense accounts
• Reviews of payments on a weekly basis

Corporate Accounting – Revenue Recognition

• Maintain accounts in the corporate accounting systems and participate in the periodic closing of accounts (quarterly, year-end), following up with relevant internal stakeholders as needed.
• Prepare, control, reconcile and input quarterly budgetary and accounting entries.
• Manage daily automated payment identification workflows and identify and record all other incoming payments.
• Review, control, record and despatch revenue related invoices. Follow up collection with internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare notes, as necessary, to the OECD’s annual financial statements (prepared according to International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS)), including the preparation of supporting documentation.
• Support external audit activities, including the preparation of responses and related supporting documentation for audit questions.
• Ensure compliance of accounting activities and transactions with applicable internal accounting rules and procedures.
• Escalate issues to the Head of Unit as necessary.

Candidates should also have relevant experience in the following areas:

Documentation and Communications

• Participate in financial system user training initiatives, including preparing presentations and materials for user onboarding and system/process changes.
• Maintain and update finance related guidelines, policies, manuals and procedures as necessary.
• Provide internal clients with timely, high-quality comprehensive and accurate advice and guidance on financial management and related processes and procedures.
• Develop and maintain productive and collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders within the Organisation.

Ideal candidate profile

Academic Background

• A university degree in accounting, financial management, audit, information systems and/or related field.
• A professional certification in finance/accounting domain (e.g. chartered accountant or equivalent) would be desirable.

Professional Background

• Relevant experience in accounting, financial management, budget management, financial systems management or equivalent.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with commitment to service and teamwork.
• Analytical and technical accounting skills.
• Flexibility and ability to cope with conflicting requests and to meeting strict deadlines.
• Proven experience in the development of accounting automation processes and digitalisation projects would be an advantage.
• Proven ability to seek innovative solutions to problems and project management.
• Ability to propose alternatives to reduce operational risk, increase efficiency and customer service through the use of new technologies
• Experience working in an international and multicultural environment would be an advantage.

Tools

• Very good command of Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and financial and administrative systems including large integrated accounting systems (SAP).
• Knowledge of the SAP FI, VIM, FM, Business Objects and/or other ERP solutions would be an advantage.
• Knowledge of the Organisation’s Travel and Staff management systems (Concur, Invitations module, SEM) would be an advantage.

Core Competencies

• OECD staff are expected to demonstrate behaviours aligned to six core competencies which will be assessed as part of this hiring processes: Vision and Strategy (Level 1); Enable People (Level 1); Ethics and Integrity (Level 2); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 1); Achieve Results (Level 1); Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 1).
• There are three possible levels for each competency. The level for each competency is determined according to the specific needs of each job role and its associated grade.
• To learn more about the definitions for each competency for levels 1-3, please refer to OECD Core Competencies.

Languages

• Fluency in one of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and a knowledge of, or a willingness to learn, the other.

Contract Duration

• Temporary assignment for 6-18 months
• Start Date: December 2024

Salary Information

• Salary and conditions will depend on the experience of the selected candidate as well as on their status (temporary staff or official).
• The monthly salary starts at 4 994 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
• For temporary staff, salary starts at 2,570 EUR.

Please note that the appointment may be made at a lower grade based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.

• Click here to learn more about what we offer and why the OECD is a great place to work.
• Click here to browse our People Management Guidebook and learn more about all aspects relating to people at the OECD, our workplace environment and many other policies supporting staff in their daily life.

Please note that our Rules and Regulations stipulate that the mandatory retirement age is 67.

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes the applications of all qualified candidates [who are nationals of OECD member countries], irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities.

The OECD promotes an optimal use of resources to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Staff members are encouraged to actively contribute to this goal.

Closing Date

• Applications should reach us no later than 23:59 (CET France local time) on 24 November 2024.