Finance Officer

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:

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Vacancy code VA/2013/B5106/2008
Position title Finance Officer
Level ICS-9
Department/office AEMO, Jerusalem
Duty station Jerusalem, Palestine (State of)
Contract type Fixed Term
Contract level NOB
Duration One year
Application period 08-Mar-2013 to 31-Mar-2013


Background Information - UNOPS

“UNOPS plays a critical role in providing management services for our life-saving, peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. I have seen many examples of how these activities help suffering people in troubled parts of the world.”
-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, 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 more than 6000 personnel 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 centres, UNOPS oversees 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 overall guidance and supervision of the Programme Support Unit (PSU) Manager, the Finance Officer analyzes and interprets the financial rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues; he/she ensures effective and transparent utilization of financial resources and integrity of financial services. The Finance Officer promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations.

The Finance Officer works in close collaboration with the  programme, support sub units, and project teams in the Project Centre (PC), UNOPS HQ and Regional Office staff officials ensuring successful delivery of financial services.

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

The Officer manages the Finance unit at the PC and performs the following:

Budgetary and Project Costing Support:
-Provide support and advice to Project Managers during development of new business proposals; also while extracting financial information from project agreements and the set-up of necessary accounts in line with existing policies and procedures;
-Gather and share information for preparation of project budgets revisions;
-Review, monitor and advise Project Managers, Programme Managers, and PSU Manager on necessary adjustments of project expenditures against approved budgets.

Financial Transactions and Accounting:
-Review and advise appropriateness of operational transactions including processes, interpreting and determining applicable polices rules, and regulations in the area of Finance as well as other interrelated areas such as Project Management, Procurement, and HR;
-Review and advise validity of charges and availability of funds for each project/portfolio as well as the Project Centre’s Administrative Budget;
-Manage ATLAS Bank Accounts and disbursement of funds, including petty cash and operational advances;·
-Liaise with the local bank and monitor services provided;
-Supervise preparation and approve vouchers ensuring completeness of supporting documentation, accuracy, and correctness of account codes, perform the function of Verifying Officer;
-Supervise the processing of monthly payroll and fee payments of national and international personnel;
-Supervise the preparation of bank reconciliation reports, analyse discrepancies and take corrective action as necessary;
-Supervise monthly account closure including verification and certification of end of month reports, forecast expenditure for the following month's activities and request replenishments;
-Ensure all appropriate billing actions for services provided are taken expeditiously, within appropriate procedures, and in close coordination with other field-based projects and Regional Office;
-Coordinate and communicate with internal and external clients on areas requiring verification, correction, and clarification to improve quality of outputs and increase knowledge base and level of capacity in the different processes.

Financial Reporting, Internal Control, Managerial Support, and Capacity Building:
-Collect and consolidate monthly expenditures schedules, the quarterly, and the year-end statements to Senior Management, Regional Office, and HQ;
-Produce Monthly reports of expenditures and Quarterly Progress Reports to project managers/external clients;
-Ensure the management of the Unit and provide direct support and advice to the Director/PSU Manager, and a wide base of clients including Project Managers and other Support Sub Units;
-Under the guidance of the PSU Manager, research and analyze solutions to complex financial matters as well as those of cross functional nature through collaboration with different units/practices;
-Coordinate with project managers, Support Practices and/or Regional Office/HQ to verify, correct, and improve quality of financial activities through significant contribution to the development of new corporate systems and tools as well as policies and procedures;
-Coordinate and support other relevant units/parties in the organization in processes of receipt of contributions, payments, data reconciliation, maintenance of vendor’s database, Year-End Closure exercise, client reporting, internal and/or external audit activities;
-Implement oversight mechanisms to ensure day to day transactions are in line with the internal control framework of the organization and serve as focal point for audit activities;
-Conduct training on financial related topics to increase capacity level in the area of Financial Management for Finance team, other sub units like Procurement, Logistics and HR in addition to project management community and senior management. 

Performs any other duties as assigned by the PSU Manager.
Competencies

-Strong Management and interpersonal skills;
-Keen sense of ethics and integrity in dealing with clients and service providers;
-Accountability;
-Capacity for problem solving and identifying acceptable/applicable solutions;
-Ability to work in multi-cultural environment;
-Planning and Organizing - Ability to plan work assignments, juggle competing demands and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines, and with minimal direction/supervision;
-Communications - Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills;
-Technology Awareness - High proficiency with computers in particular MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, and the Internet.  Knowledge and command of ERP systems. Advance knowledge of working with internet based applications and languages;
-Good Knowledge of Accounting;
-Teamwork - Experience supporting teams in a complex multi-national, multi-cultural environment is required;

 
Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

Advanced university degree in finance, business administration, economics, public administration or other related field. A first level of university degree with additional 2 years of relevant experience may be acceptable in lieu of the advance university degree.
 

Experience:

-At least 3 years of relevant work experience is required, including at least 1 year of personnel management experience.
-Work experience at a national or international level in providing financial management services and/or managing staff and operational systems.
-A relevant University degree is required; a relevant advanced degree is highly desired.
-A PRINCE2 or equivalent project management qualification is highly desired.
-Experience using Atlas or a similar enterprise resource planning system is highly desired.
-Risk management experience is highly desired.
-Quality management experience is required.
-Results based management experience is highly desired.
-Experience operating in an ISO: 9001 compliant environment is highly desired.
-Prior United Nations experience desired.
-IPSAS experience/knowledge would be an advantage.


Languages:

An ability to write clear and to the point analytical prose in English and Arabic is required.


Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: N-OB Fixed Term Contract
Contract level: N-OB
Contract duration: One Year


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. 

 

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