JOB DESCRIPTION

The consultant reports to the Cost Accountant and does not directly supervise any staff.  This role is essential to ICAO”s successful operationalization of its Cost Recovery Policy, addressing the critical need for robust methodologies to identify, classify, and measure costs across the organization. The position will establish the foundational frameworks that enable ICAO to implement sustainable cost recovery mechanisms aligned with UN-wide standards and best practices.

The Costing Analyst will develop efficiency measurement capabilities to support ICAO in reporting efficiency gains from organizational improvement initiatives, filling a significant gap in the organization”s ability to quantify effectiveness gains from organizational change initiatives. Working within established UN frameworks including the UN Harmonized Cost Recovery Policy and UN wide efficiency initiatives, this role will deliver the analytical foundation necessary for ICAO”s financial sustainability and operational excellence objectives.

Develop a practical efficiency measurement framework, based on the United Nations Efficiency Reporting Task Team methodology for calculating efficiencies, for deployment during the 2026-28 triennium using existing organizational data to measure efficiency gains and assess the success of proposed Efficiency Gains Projects. Tasks would include, but not be limited to:

 

• Research and analyze UN best practices for measuring efficiency and effectiveness gains from available sources and organizational consultations to inform ICAO”s approach
• Consult internal stakeholders to document current practices, existing baselines and metrics, and identify gaps and requirements for the methodology framework
• Develop a consistent framework for calculating gains, including specific metrics and standardized calculations across organizational units, aligned with the United Nations Efficiency Reporting Task Team methodology for calculating efficiencies
• Define business requirements for automated efficiency reporting integration within existing ICAO monitoring systems and dashboards
• Test and refine the framework using current ICAO projects and organizational change initiatives
• Ensure alignment with ICAO”s results-based management, performance monitoring framework, and broader organizational efficiency goals
• Incorporate key measurement elements including cost avoidance, cost savings, quality improvements, and staff time efficiencies
• Document procedures and develop training materials to support consistent implementation across the organization.

Design, develop and maintain comprehensive costing framework and templates to support accurate cost measurement and analysis across organizational processes, projects, and operations. Ensure costing models enable consistent cost measurement across all business units. Tasks would include, but not be limited to:

 

• Develop and maintain standardized costing templates for core organizational processes including financial processing, human resources, procurement, and administrative functions
• Create project costing models that capture all costs and resource requirements for accurate project budgeting and monitoring, consistent with the cost measurement framework
• Establish staff costing frameworks incorporating salary scales, benefits, on-costs, and productivity factors to enable accurate personnel cost projections
• Maintain model documentation, including assumptions, methodologies, and update procedures to support transparency and auditability
• Regularly review and update costing models to reflect organizational changes, policy updates, and evolving operational requirements
• Develop comprehensive training materials and provide technical support and training to staff on proper use of costing templates and interpretation of results

Conduct detailed cost identification and measurement analysis to establish accurate cost bases for cost recovery activities and fee-for-service arrangements. Ensure comprehensive capture of all direct and indirect costs to support sustainable cost recovery models and transparent pricing mechanisms. Tasks include but are not limited to:

 

• Identify, classify and quantify cost components for cost recovery in accordance with ICAO Cost Recovery Policy and UN Harmonized Cost Recovery methodology
• Analyze high-priority cost areas designated by the Cost Accountant to establish comprehensive cost bases for specific services, programs, or client arrangements
• Measure direct costs including personnel time, materials, equipment usage, and external services required for specific cost recovery activities
• Calculate indirect cost allocations including overhead, administration, supervision, and support function costs attributable to cost recovery services
• Develop comprehensive personnel costing incorporating direct time, salaries, on-costs, benefits, equipment, and productivity factors
• Determine technology and infrastructure costs including software licensing, hardware usage, telecommunications, and IT support costs per service or transaction
• Calculate facility and occupancy costs including space allocation, utilities, maintenance, and shared facility costs attributable to cost recovery operations
• Benchmark cost recovery rates against similar organizations to ensure competitive positioning while maintaining full cost recovery principles
• Prepare detailed cost breakdowns and supporting documentation to justify cost recovery pricing and demonstrate value for money to clients
• Validate cost analyses for accuracy and completeness prior to implementation in cost recovery frameworks and service agreements

Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Essential

• A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor’s degree) in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field, with courses in cost accounting
• A professional accounting designation (e.g. CA, CPA, CGA, CMA, or equivalent).

Desirable

• Advanced certificates or specialized qualifications in cost accounting, management accounting, or cost management (e.g., CMA advanced certification, cost accounting specializations)
• Project management certification

Essential

• Minimum seven years of progressive experience in management accounting, costing, budgeting, or related financial analysis roles
• Demonstrated experience in developing standard costs and cost accounting methodologies for organizational processes or projects
• Proven track record in designing and implementing cost models and costing frameworks in complex organizational environments
• Experience leading or contributing to efficiency measurement initiatives or cost saving programs with quantifiable outcomes

Desirable

• Experience working within international organizations, UN agencies, or multilateral institutions
• Experience with results-based management frameworks and performance measurement systems
• Experience with organizational transformation projects or efficiency improvement initiatives

Essential

Excellent reading, writing and speaking abilities in English.

Desirable

      A working knowledge of any other language of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).

Professionalism: Advanced proficiency in financial modelling software, databases, and analytical tools beyond standard spreadsheet applications. Possesses good knowledge of UN financial regulations, cost recovery principles, or harmonized cost methodologies. 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; Ability to work under pressure and remain calm in stressful situations.

 

Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

 

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style, and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

 

Planning and 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.

 

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and

matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

It should be noted that this consultancy is to be filled for an initial period of eleven (11) months.

Please note that the daily rate for Band C varies from CAD 402 to CAD 578

Interested candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ICAO”s e-Recruitment website at: ICAO Career Website

ICAO does NOT charge any fees or request money from candidates at any stage of the selection process, nor does it concern itself with bank account details of applicants. Requests of this nature allegedly made on behalf of ICAO are fraudulent and should be disregarded.