Finance Associate

UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peace building, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need. Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, UNOPS vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness. By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground.

UNOPS employs around 3,500 personnel annually and on behalf of its partners creates thousands more work opportunities in local communities. With its headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, a network of five regional offices and a further 20 operations and project centers, UNOPS oversees
activities in more than 80 countries. UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce. In an effort to promote organizational excellence, UNOPS seeks highly qualified individuals for the following position:

Finance Associate

Vacancy code VA/2013/B5106/3971
Position title Finance Associate
Level ICS-6
Department/office AEMO, Jerusalem
Duty station Jerusalem, Palestine (State of)
Contract type Local ICA Support
Contract level LICA-4
Duration One year with possibility of extension
Application period 23-Sep-2013 to 30-Sep-2013

Apply Now

Background Information - UNOPS

“UNOPS plays a critical role in providing management services for our life-saving, peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations.”
-Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General

UNOPS  mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness.

UNOPS provides services in sustainable infrastructure, sustainable procurement and sustainable project management, with projects ranging from building schools, roads, bridges and hospitals to procuring goods and services and training local personnel.

By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground.

We employ more than 6,000 personnel annually and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of regional and country offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

Background Information - Jerusalem

Jerusalem

The UNOPS Jerusalem office opened in 2006 and now has sub-offices in East Jerusalem, Ramallah and Jericho. The portfolio includes infrastructure, procurement, human resources, capacity building, access coordination and security projects for partners and beneficiaries throughout the occupied Palestinian territory.
Background Information - Job-specific

Under the guidance and supervision of the Finance Officer, the Finance Associate acts as the finance focal point and provides leadership in execution of financial services in the region ensuring effective and transparent utilization of financial resources and integrity of financial services. The Finance Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations.

The Finance Associate supervises and leads the support staff of the Regional/Centre Finance Unit. The Finance Associate works in close collaboration with Project Managers and Project teams for resolving finance-related issues and information exchange.

The functions/duties/key results of this job description are generic and may not always be applicable, nor comprehensive, for all jobs under this job title.
Functional Responsibilities

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.


Key Functions:

Implementation of operational strategies

Ensures implementation of operational strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:

Full compliance with UNOPS rules and regulations of financial processes, financial records and reports  and audit follow up; implementation of the effective internal control framework.
Elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management.

Budgetary and monitoring control

Ensures efficient budgetary and monitoring control, focusing on achievement of the following results:
Extraction of required financial information from UNOPS project agreements and set up of necessary accounts in line with existing UNOPS financial policies and procedures.
Information-gathering for budget preparation.
Preparation and processing of project budget revisions
Maintenance of budget databases by verifying and entering approved budgets.
Review and adjustment of project expenditures/obligations against approved budgets.
Budgets in conformity with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations & procedures of the funding source.

Treasury and payments functions

Provides support to Treasury and ensures proper payments processing, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Review and confirmation of appropriateness of operational transactions processed through the interpretation and determination of applicable policies, regulations, rules
Review of payment requests for completeness prior to processing, ensuring that documentation needed is complete and that all required procedures are fulfilled to enable the payment.
Payment requests properly obligated and payment in accordance with relevant UN Financial Rules and Regulations and UNOPS procedures;
Review and confirmation of validity of charges by verifying authorized amounts and ensure availability of budget and funds.
Performance of periodical petty cash counts with the petty cash custodian. Review any petty cash establishment request and the petty cash replenishment requests. Maintenance and control of petty cash fund and preparation of report for replenishment.
Frequent contact with the local bank to obtain day-to-day information on rates of exchange, interest rates, changes in procedures and bank regulations, etc.
Verification of payment information and preparation of vouchers according to UN Financial Rules and Regulations and accuracy of invoices and totals as well as calculations;
Clarification from Portfolio Managers/Certifying Officers where discrepancies exist;
Monitoring of payments and follow-up when problems arise;
Maintenance of a payment schedule status system and filing of all financial documents;
Periodic review of outstanding obligations relating to sub-contracts and ensure review and required action is taken by relevant staff;
Assistance in batching of vouchers and dispatch of batching report.

Accounting and administrative support

Provides accounting and administrative support to the Finance Unit, focusing on achievement of the following results:
Preparation and review of vouchers and supporting documentation for completeness, accuracy, compliance with UN Financial Rules and Regulations and correctness of account code charges. (For reason of internal control, approval of vouchers cannot be done by the person preparing the vouchers)
Entry of transactions and financial data in UNOPS ERP (ATLAS) system.
Preparation of bank reconciliation report. Review for discrepancies and action as required. (For reason of internal control, this function is not to be performed by the post responsible for operating the bank account).
Analysis of reports, investigation and preparation of adjustment as required.
Preparation of recurring, ad-hoc or special financial reports as required.
Communication with internal colleagues on areas requiring verification, corrections, additional information, etc. to improve quality of output and/or account submission and increase knowledge base in the process.
Preparation of statistical reports on workflow/processes
Maintenance of UNOPS Allotment and Administrative expenditure for the office
Peparation of monthly expenditure schedules as well as quarterly and year-end statements
Establishment of petty cash accounts and other accounts receivable in accordance with the UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations;
Monitoring of local bank accounts and balances to ensure existence of sufficient funds; preparation of requests for replenishment of the Imprest Account/ATLAS bank account on a monthly basis
Provision of guidance in budget preparation, monitoring project budgets; establishment and maintenance of proper financial controls and timely submission of monthly accounts;
Oversight of data entry into financial databases by the Finance/Payments Clerk and guidance on data entry and validation
Review of signed agreements/Approvals from Governments/UN Agencies/Other Clients for compliance and completeness prior to management review.
Monitoring of financial recorded expenditures and related contributions to ensure timely and accurate accounting information.
Monitoring of cash requirements and expenditures.
Budget revisions in accordance with agreements and guidelines of funding agency.
Proper closure of projects and refund of unspent balances to Donors/UN Agencies.
Final budget revisions and final financial statements signed by Govt. / UNDP.
Reimbursement of remaining funds according to agreement (Government, Donor, Dev. Bank).
Provision of finance ATLAS (UNOPS ERP Financial System, PeopleSoft) support to field offices and regional office staff for Project Accounting and Financial Reporting

Financial reporting and control

Ensures effective financial reporting and control, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Support to the preparation of monthly expenditure schedules and quarterly and year-end statements.
Contacts with project staff and Regional Office to verify, correct, add and improve quality of financial activities of a particular project, including financial reports.
Frequent contact with other finance staff in the organization in the preparation of payments, data reconciliation, client reporting, or audit activities.
Preparation of financial statements for clients
Implementation of reporting systems and reports to meet Funding source requirements.
Preparation of financial and statistical reports.
Preparation of periodic financial statements to funding sources and external clients in compliance with established reporting requirements.
Preparation of Financial Statements against specific projects for Audit Certification and forwarding to Lending institutions/Donors/UN Agencies and Governments.
Reconciliation of expenditures recorded in ATLAS.
Reconciliation of expenditures reported via Financial Dashboard.
Assistance to Portfolio Managers with ATLAS reporting and analysis.
Resolution of financial reporting tool (UNOPS Financial Reporting system) issues with Global Service Center.
Provision of reports as needed for Year-End close

 
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, focusing on achievement of the following results:
Training of colleagues upon requests from portfolio managers, the supervisor and other finance officers in setting projects, budget revisions, troubleshooting and understanding of the processes on day to day financial transactions, reporting and other related tasks
Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in Finance.
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice

 
Competencies
Professionalism - Strong theoretical background and substantive experience in all phases of finance and budgeting operations; good working knowledge of IPSAS and expertise in handling complex finance issues and in the context of UN policies and standards; strong analytical skills and working knowledge of quantitative methods to measure “financial health”; sound judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a range of issues/problems; ability to provide technical guidance to new/junior staff.
Proficient knowledge and command of ERP systems used in budget/finance, (SAP/WINGS, ATLAS, Mercury);
Planning and Organizing - Ability to plan work assignments, juggle competing demands and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines.
Communications - Very good communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences on finance-related matters and prepare a variety of written documents, contracts, reports, etc. in a clear, concise style.
Technology Awareness - Good computer skills, including proficiency in procurement computer systems, spreadsheet, database management and Internet applications.
Teamwork - Very good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

 
Education/Experience/Language requirements

a-Education
Advanced university degree in accounting or relevant discipline; Additional years of relevant work experience, preferably in combination with a relevant bachelor’s degree, may substitute for the requirement for a master’s degree.
Professional certification in the field of accounting/finance is an advantage

b-Work Experience
Minimum of five years administrative/operational experience in accounting and financial control, with demonstrated capacity to meet performance indicators, and deliver results;

Others:

Proficiency in computerized accounting systems;
Knowledge of UNOPS financial policies as well as relevant regulations, rules, procedures and systems would be an advantage;
Ability to translate and apply business acumen and technical expertise into UNOPS operations;
Competent level of computer literacy – MS Office as a minimum;
Experience directly relevant to establishment and development of new tools for improvement support services;
Keen sense of ethics and integrity in dealing with clients and service providers.
Meets timeline for delivery of products and services to clients
Results-based and client services oriented, as well as excellent organization skills are a MUST; and
Demonstrated behaviour of professional and personal ethics, transparency and openness.

c-Languages

 Fluency in verbal and written English and Arabic is required.
Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: Local ICA level 4
Contract duration: One year with possibility of extension


For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
http://www.unops.org/ENGLISH/WHOWENEED/CONTRACT-TYPES/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements-ICA s.aspx

Additional Considerations
Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS. 

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Apply Now

Jobs.ps, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.