UNV Finance Assistant

Job ID/Title :UNV Finance Assistant
Brand :UNV
Application Deadline :03-Mar-14
Duty Station : Ramallah, occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)
Languages Required :Arabic, English,   
Duration of Initial Contract :; 1 year contract, with possibility of extension.

Background:

The United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV) jointly with Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP-PAPP) are seeking experienced national UN Volunteer specialist “Finance Assistant”- for duration of one year with possibility of extensions, based in Ramallah.
 
This post is a United Nations Volunteers assignment and based on the values of free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity, which are the foundations of volunteerism. Volunteering brings benefit to the individual volunteer. It makes important contributions, economically, as well as socially. It contributes to creating social cohesion and capital, through helping to build trust and reciprocity among citizens.

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.
In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UNV volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.
In all assignments, UNV volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UNV volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

Description of Responsibilities:

Within the terms of the organization’s delegated authority, and under the direct supervision of the Finance Associate, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
-Assist in establishing financial systems of the Programme Management Unit in line with UNDP accounting and reporting policies and procedures;
-Support the Finance Associate with development of annual budgets according to UNDP financial management system and ensure accuracy of support documents for approval by HQ;
-Assist in financial tracking, disbursement planning, cash flow analysis and project financing requirements;
-Ensure that payments, contract management, recruitment of personnel and local consultants, procurement of services and goods, asset management and disbursements of funds are undertaken according to financial rules and regulations;
-Ensure timely submission of supporting documents for processing of staff and sub-contract payments, awarding and amending of contracts;
-Manage subcontracts and other project-related transactions, ensuring updated records;
-Track funding to partner intermediaries and maintenance of loan accounts for Micro-Finance Institutions;
-Maintain records of project files and other support documents in hard and soft copies;
-Review and monitor project financial situation and analyze transactions to ensure conformity to the agreed project results, outputs, objectives, budget and work plan;
-Ensure smooth project implementation in line with financial rules and regulations; specific focus on Audit requirements;
-Maintain close communication with other finance/admin staff to ensure constant exchange of best practices and standardization of approaches;
-Follow up on all expense payments, contractors payments to ensure completion and review the liquidation report expenses, financial transactions and budget comparisons;
-Assist in preparing monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports and liaise with external auditors;
-Any other related duties as may be required or assigned by the Project Finance Associate.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are expected to:
-Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
-Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; network and build relationships with local organizations, groups or individuals, and support and/or participate in local volunteering initiatives; reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
-Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; initiate and/or participate in local volunteer groups, including assisting them in submitting stories and experiences to the World Volunteer Web site;
-Promote or advise local groups on the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible;
-Encourage, mobilize and support co-workers, fellow UN Volunteers and members of the local community to play an active part in peace and development activities on a voluntary basis;
-Discuss with supervisors how volunteerism for peace and development can be mainstreamed in the assignment and integrate activities promoting volunteerism for peace and development into work plans;
-Assist with the UNV “buddy programme” for newly arriving UN Volunteers.
 
Results/Expected Outputs:
-Efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to have a positive impact on the execution of the project’s financial services in terms of quality and accoutability. The key results have an impact on the success of the project.
-A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Competencies :

Competencies and values:
-Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
-Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations;
-Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment;
-Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
-Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;
-Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
-Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;
-Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Qualifications :

Profile Requirements:
The UN Volunteer must be a dynamic, multi-functional person, who wants to contribute to development in the oPt through promotion of volunteerism.

The following qualifications are required:
a)Qualifications, skills, experience:
-BA Degree in Accounting, Financial Management or related field from a recognized university;
-Minimum 1 year working experience in accounting/finance, preferably in international donor/NGO programmes and projects;
-Excellent computer literacy, including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; knowledge of other relevant software is an advantage;
-Fluency in English and Arabic;
-Ability to work in a team, creative and problem-solving disposition, willingness to take initiative, good inter-personal skills;
-Accuracy at work, attention to detail and sensitivity to priorities;
-Ability to work under pressure, to meet deadlines, and handle multiple tasks simultaneously and accurately;
-Ability to carry out tasks independently;
-Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Apply Online

Living Conditions:
As this is a national UNV assignment, the incumbent will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.
For more information about the occupied Palestinian territory humanitarian context, see: www.ochaopt.org
Conditions of Service:
Contract is issued for 12 months at a time (renewable depending on mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance). Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) – intended to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost-of-living expenses – is US$ 740. Settling-in-grant (if current residence is different from duty station). Life, health and permanent disability insurances are included, as well as resettlement allowance. UNV will provide a copy of the UNV Conditions of Service to the successful candidate together with the offer of assignment.
Interested and qualified candidates are kindly requested to apply on-line no later than March 3, 2014 to the following address:
http://jobs.undp.ps
UNV Programme
UNDP/PAPP Jerusalem
Ref: UNV  Programme Assistant
Equal Employment Opportunity prohibits discrimination against anyone. It attempts to ensure that all applicants, males-females and all races have a fair opportunity in a hiring process, in competing for promotions, and equal access to training/professional development opportunities.

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