Junior Accounting Officer

INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION  

ITU is the leading United Nations agency for information and communication technologies, with the mission to connect the world. To achieve this, ITU manages the radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits at the international level, works to improve communication infrastructure in the developing world, and establishes global standards that foster seamless interconnection of a vast range of communication systems. 

ITU applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. ITU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. Achieving gender balance is a high priority for ITU.

Junior Accounting Officer 

 Vacancy notice no: 2362 
Sector: SG
Department: FRMD
Country of contract: Switzerland
Duty station: Geneva

 Position number:  
Grade: P2 
Type of contract: Short-term
Duration of contract: 5 months
Recruitment open to: External
Application deadline (Midnight Geneva Time): 8 July 2026

ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT

The General Secretariat directs administrative, human and financial resources and activities of the Union, including the implementation of the provisions of the administrative regulations on operational questions, the dissemination of information on telecommunication/ICT matters for operational and other purposes, and the provision of legal advice to the whole of the Union.  The General Secretariat coordinates the implementation of the Strategic Plan, monitors the telecommunication/ICT environment and recommends as needed action relating to the Union’s future policies and strategy.  The General Secretariat ensures inter-sectoral coordination and cooperation to advance a whole of ITU approach (One-ITU) in headquarters and the field. The General Secretariat provides logistical and information technology support to the Union’s activities including conferences and global forums; the coordination of the work of the Union with the United Nations system, and other international organizations; and the engagement of the Member States, Sector Members, and Academia. The General Secretariat manages corporate governance, and strategic communications and relations with the media, different stakeholder groups as well as the general public. 

Within the General Secretariat, the Financial Resources Management Department (FRMD) advises the Secretary General on financial resources management, accounting issues and procurement. It manages ITU's financial resources ensuring consistency with ITU strategies, policies, regulations and rules as well as UN Common System policies. It also ensures sound and balanced financial management of the Union; provides support and strategic advice on financial, budgetary and procurement matters, with a goal to strengthen ITU's financial system.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Head, Debtors Accounts, the Junior Accounting Officer acts as a professional accounting officer to support the effective and accurate execution of the Union’s debtors’ management and to contribute to the reliability of the Union’s accounting records in accordance with applicable rules, regulations and procedures.

The duties to be performed are as follows:

• Manage the preparation, verification, invoicing and follow-up of New Members, Denounced Members (cancelled memberships), Frozen and Deleted Members, in close collaboration with the Membership Service; carry out the creation of debit memos, contracts and post respective contracts; ensure the accuracy of the invoicing details; issue credit notes concerning denunciations; send invoices and credit notes to customers; reply to general enquiries from Member States and Sector Members regarding their accounts. Prepare, record and send Conferences’ invoices.
• Manage and maintain the customer master data, including contact details, contributory units, and contractual relationships, etc. and create billing addresses and establish corresponding relationships using Customer Relationship Management (CRM), including managing data exchange between SAP and CRM (Business Partners, Payers and some contacts in contracts). Handle correspondence including follow-up actions regarding invoices or letters addressed to ITU members and liaise with Membership and Member States’ Services to ensure the accuracy of data. Handle the correspondence with ITU Members and Ex Members via email, letter and Note Verbale. Participate in monitoring the FRMD-Debt’s electronic mailbox by responding to senders in the area of competence.
• Prepare and send the Finance Circular of the Union (Situation of debts of all ITU Members) on a quarterly basis and manage responses and related correspondence, to support statutory reporting.
• Prepare and analyze membership statistics reports and analysis and provide accurate information to the Budget Division and concerned staff.
• Prepare the Secretary-General’s visit briefings in CRM. This includes searching for all Member States/Sector Members accounts with a balance due and updates to the relevant information in the CRM system (contributory units, outstanding amounts, deposits). Escalate issues when required.
• Contribute to the annual closure of accounts by preparing the annual provision for debtors and updating payments received relating to the previous year’s provision. Establish the annual provision in accordance with the Finance Circular as at 31 December each year, and participate in other year-end closing processes, as required.
• Propose enhancements to working methods and operational procedures and workflows. Participate in the implementation of projects for improving automation and efficiency.
• Provide assistance for ITU Plenipotentiary Conferences (PP), Council events and Working Groups, as required.
• Perform other related duties as assigned. 

CORE COMPETENCIES

Applying Expertise; Effective Communication; Learning and Knowledge Sharing; Organizational Commitment; Results-Focused, and; Teamwork and Collaboration.

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Good knowledge of accounting principles and debtors’ management processes in an international organization.
• Ability to work with ERP systems, in particular SAP, and the MS Office suite.
• Strong analytical skills, accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently under pressure, prioritize tasks and coordinate work with multiple stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education:

University degree in finance, accounting, business administration, management or a related field, OR education from a reputed college of advanced education with a diploma equivalent to a university degree in one of the fields above.

Experience:

At least three years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, financial management, or a related field.
An advanced degree in a related field can be considered as a substitute for one year of working experience. A doctorate in a related field can be considered as a substitute for two years of working experience.

Languages:

Knowledge of one of the six official languages of the Union (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish) at advanced level and knowledge of a second official language at intermediate level. Knowledge of a third official language would be an advantage. (Under the provisions of Resolution No. 626 of the Council, a relaxation of the language requirements may be authorized in the case of candidates from developing countries: when candidates from such countries possess a thorough knowledge of one of the official languages of the Union, their applications may be taken into consideration.)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This temporary opportunity is available to individuals residing locally.

INFORMATION ON RECRUITMENT PROCESS   

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the ITU Careers website. The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. ITU uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided. Messages originating from a non ITU e-mail account - @itu.int - should be disregarded. ITU does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

ITU applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. ITU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. Achieving gender balance is a high priority for ITU.