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1. Position information

Vacancy No.: VN21-16
Department: Administration
Grade: B5
Section: Finance
Job Ref. No.: STF-PL/21-16
Reports to: Programme Accountant
Publication Date: 5 March 2021
Closing Date: 14 April 2021

2. About ECMWF

ECMWF is the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. It is an intergovernmental organisation created in 1975 by a group of European nations and is today supported by 34 Member and Co-operating States, mostly in Europe. The Centre’s mission is to serve and support its Member and Co-operating States and the wider community by developing and providing world-leading global numerical weather prediction. ECMWF functions as a 24/7 research and operational centre with a focus on medium and long-range predictions and holds one of the largest meteorological archives in the world. The success of its activities relies primarily on the talent of its scientists, strong partnerships with its Member and Co-operating States and the international community, some of the most powerful supercomputers in the world, and the use of innovative technologies such as machine learning across its operations.

Over the years, ECMWF has also developed a strong partnership with the European Union, and for the past seven years has been an entrusted entity for the implementation and operation of the Climate and the Atmosphere Monitoring Services of the EU Copernicus Programme, as well as a contributor to the Copernicus Emergency Management Service. The collaboration does not stop there and include other areas of work, including High Performance Computing and the development of digital tools. It is enabling ECMWF to now provide data and products covering weather, climate, ait quality, fire and flood prediction and monitoring.

ECMWF has recently become a multi-site organisation, with its headquarters based since its creation in Reading, UK, its new data centre opening in 2021 in Bologna, Italy, and new offices, also opening in 2021 in Bonn, Germany.

It is foreseen that ECMWF will be a major partner in the implementation of the Destination Earth (DestinE) initiative starting later in 2021, together with ESA and EUMETSAT as partners. The objective of the European Commission DestinE initiative is to deploy several highly accurate thematic digital replicas of the Earth, called Digital Twins, to monitor and predict natural and human activities as well as their interactions, to develop and test scenarios that would enable more sustainable developments and support corresponding European policies for the Green Deal.

For additional details, see www.ecmwf.int/.

3. Summary of the role

ECMWF is undergoing significant change, and this is a particularly exciting time to be joining the Centre as we establish our duty station in Bonn, Germany. To strengthen the finance team there, ECMWF is looking to recruit an Assistant Management Accountant. This new position will be based in Bonn, Germany and will be an integral part of the Finance Section in the Administration Department at ECMWF. They will report directly to the Programme Accountant and be part of a highly-motivated and competent team.

The Assistant Management Accountant will play a key part in the financial processes of ECMWF by taking responsibility for the analysis and reconciliation of many financial transactions to ensure they are completed accurately, on time and in line with the appropriate financial controls.

There will regular financial reporting as part of this role and therefore the position would suit an individual who can work to tight deadlines, embraces change, is flexible and continuously looks to improve financial controls and processes. Strong communication skills are also required as this role will involve much interaction with other stakeholders across the organisation. It is both an exciting and challenging time to join the ECMWF finance team as we continue to enhance the finance service at ECMWF to support new initiatives.

4. Main duties and key responsibilities

  • Playing a key role in assisting with programme financial reporting to the European Commission;
  • Providing reconciliations of programme costs and providing meaningful analysis for all relevant stakeholders;
  • Assisting with the input of programme income and costs to the monthly Management Accounts and year-end Financial Statements;
  • Producing programme related balance sheet accounts reconciliation statements as required;
  • Dealing with various internal and external auditors;
  • Ensuring adherence to the Centres Financial Regulations and procedures;
  • Providing general Support to the Finance Section.

5. Personal attributes

  • Solution-oriented with a strong understanding of how to evaluate the financial, commercial, and strategic implications of ECMWF’s activities;
  • Ability to communicate complex financial concepts with scientific and technical staff that do not have a financial background and to develop a common understanding of the issues and potential resolutions;
  • Ability to challenge financial processes and make recommendations to improve efficiency and quality of reporting;
  • Excellent writing and presentation skills with an ability to explain financial issues in terms which are accessible and understandable to all;
  • Capacity to manage a range of conflicting, and urgent issues to tight deadlines;
  • Excellent communication skills;
  • Strong analytical and excellent organisational skills are essential;
  • Good relationship management skills with a focus on client service.

6. Qualifications and experience required

Education

  • Candidates should have a higher standard of education (EQF Level 4) and preferably a professional qualification equivalent to Accounting Technician.

Experience

  • Demonstrated experience in a finance-related role;
  • Good experience of providing analysis and reports for decision-making, including the use of core accounting systems combined with report writers;
  • Strong proven experience with an accountancy package and in particular experience in using Business World (previously known as Agresso) would be an advantage;
  • Knowledge and experience of accounting using the IPSAS framework would be an advantage.

Knowledge and skills (including language)

  • Excellent working knowledge at advanced level of MS-Office (Word and Excel);
  • Fluency in English is essential as candidates will be required to work effectively in English and interviews will be conducted in English;
  • Ideally candidates will also be fluent in German with fluency in French highly desirable.

7. Other information

Grade remuneration

The successful candidate will be recruited at the B5 grade, according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations and the annual basic salary will be EUR 66,064.68 net of tax. This position is assigned to the employment category STF-PL as defined in the Staff Regulations.

Full details of salary scales and allowances are available on the ECMWF website at www.ecmwf.int/en/about/jobs, including the Centre’s Staff Regulations regarding the terms and conditions of employment.

Starting date: As soon as possible.
Length of contract: The total contract duration (with the possibility of further extension) is expected to be four years. However, please note that the DestinE Contribution Agreement is likely to be divided in phases, the first of which will last for two and a half years. The Centre is therefore required to contract initially for the same period. Extensions to complete the four-year period (which could be subsequently extended even further) will be offered to the successful candidate as soon as funding beyond the initial phase is confirmed.
Location: The position will be based at ECMWF’s duty station in Bonn, Germany, which is currently expected to open in the second half of 2021.

8. How to apply

Please apply by completing the online application form available at www.ecmwf.int/en/about/jobs.

To contact the ECMWF Recruitment Team, please email jobs@ecmwf.int.

Please refer to the ECMWF Privacy Statement. For details of how we will handle your personal data for this purpose, see: https://www.ecmwf.int/en/privacy.

At ECMWF, we consider an inclusive environment as key for our success. We are dedicated to ensuring a workplace that embraces diversity and provides equal opportunities for all, without distinction as to race, gender, age, marital status, social status, disability, sexual orientation, religion, personality, ethnicity and culture. We value the benefits derived from a diverse workforce and are committed to having staff that reflect the diversity of the countries that are part of our community, in an environment that nurtures equality and inclusion.

Applications are invited from nationals from ECMWF Member States and Co-operating States, listed below, and all EU Member States.

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland France, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Morocco, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

Applications from nationals from other countries may be considered in exceptional cases

this job offer is not open for applications

The Company

ECMWF - European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts

About The Job

Location:
Bonn , Germany
Contract type:
Full Time
Experience:
2-5 Years
Deadline:
Expired
Department:
Accountancy

this job offer is not open for applications