Inside CIGRE: Get to know our Central Office Team! 一 Part 4
In this mini-serie, meet the women and men working at CIGRE’s Central Office. Through a few questions, they share their roles, motivations, and a bit about themselves to help you get to know the people behind our association.
This month: Sandrine, Administrative and HR Manager, & Vicky, Head Accounting and Finance
Sandrine Vasseur
Administrative and HR Manager
What is your role within CIGRE, and what does your daily work involve?
Sandrine: I am in charge of human resources, administrative tasks, and the day-to-day operations of the Central Office.
In collaboration with an accounting firm for the monthly payroll, I manage all aspects of personnel files, including the monitoring of social security contributions, taxes, declarations, and other administrative obligations, as well as relevant procedures. I also manage temporary staffing needs for the Session and for the Central Office throughout the year.
I review the Central Office’s bank accounts, particularly incoming cash flows. I identify payments received by bank transfers or credit cards and inform the relevant colleagues for invoicing and accounting purposes. I also monitor the Central Office’s bank investments.
To ensure the office runs smoothly, I handle general services, coordinating with some suppliers and service providers for office supplies and various maintenance needs.
What motivates you most in your work?
S.: Many people dislike administrative tasks, but I’ve realized that I’m actually drawn to them. I have a strong sense of service and enjoy feeling useful to my colleagues, whether in HR or in the overall running of the office. Working at the Central Office is very pleasant—we work in a trusting and autonomous environment while staying connected with the rest of the world. Being part of the CIGRE family, even at our scale, makes me very proud.
Describe your work in three words.
S.: Precision, patience, attentiveness
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
S.: I live in the countryside, in Normandy. I love the contrast between the vibrant atmosphere of Paris during the week and the calm of my region, surrounded by fields on the weekends. I recharge by walking in the lush greenery during the warmer months. With a calm nature, I spend my winter free time reading novels that take me to different eras. I particularly enjoy being surrounded by my family and my cats.
Vicky Weiss
Head Accounting and Finance
What is your role within CIGRE, and what does your daily work involve?
Vicky: I am Head of Finance and Accounting Dept. at CIGRE. It is a wide-ranging role that covers all aspects of monitoring CIGRE's financial health, both at present and in the future.
This includes, among other things, preparing budgets and financial documents in compliance with the French regulations, overseeing day-to-day accounting matters. It also includes closing the annual accounts and preparing the relevant reports that are presented to CIGRE's Governing Bodies and the General Assembly members.
My job has changed a lot since I joined CIGRE in 2007. When I first started, I was mainly in charge of the daily accounts and the event registrations to Session and Symposium, which gave me a good understanding of how CIGRE works and the challenges the Association faces.
My daily work is varied. Preparing financial documents, monitoring project accounts and working with Ali, the accounts assistant, I have the impression that there are no two days alike.
Can you share a memorable moment or anecdote from your time at CIGRE?
V.: I have particular memories when I first went to the Palais des Congrès of Paris for the CIGRE Session in 2008. It was an important moment, since it was the first time that I finally met participants, whom I had previously only met in writing. At that moment, you realize just how many people are here from all over the world to discuss the latest research. There is a sense of achievement, and this is where the two years' work do make sense.
What recent project or mission has particularly stood out for you in your work?
V.: I have recently worked on digitization in accounting to make exchanges with colleagues more efficient. It may not sound a lot, but in a field where paper is omnipresent, going from physical to digital is quite a challenge. Digitization of accountancy exchanges and files is essential for CIGRE and is part of the Association's culture.
Describe your job in three words.
V.: Reliability, rigour and anticipation.
The CIGRE Central Office Team
- Valérie Alidor & Marie Taillandier
- Sylvie Bourneuf & Marie-France Gauvin
- Hakima Abdellaoui & Ali Athoumani
- Sandrine Vasseur & Vicky Weiss
Homepage thumbnail credit: A.I. generated image by Steph Meade on Lummi
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