Finance Associate

Grade

GS6General Service

Reason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ AppointmentBFamily<p></p><p></p> 2024-08-012024-10-31July 29, 2024

Standard Job Description

Finance Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Finance Associate is normally supervised by a more senior finance colleague who defines general work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance. The incumbent also refers to UNHCR Manuals and relevant policy papers on financial issues.
The incumbent assists with the processing of financial transactions. S/he keeps frequent contact with staff at various levels in the office and with bank officials to exchange information. The incumbent may supervise some support staff.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- Maintain financial records and monitoring systems to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, payments, statements and other data for day-to-day transactions and reports.
- Select and enter data from a wide variety of documents, verifying accuracy by checking sources, making necessary calculations and assuring inclusion of all relevant data.
- Prepare recurring reports as scheduled and special reports as required for budget preparation, audits or other reasons.
- Advise and assist staff members, experts and consultants on all aspects of allowances, salary advances, travel claims and other financial matters, calculate and authorize payments due for claims and services.
- Maintain liaison with officials of local banks to obtain day-to-day information on exchange and interest rates, changes in procedures and regulations and matters pertaining to maintenance of office bank accounts.
- Prepare detailed cost estimates and participate in budget analysis and projections as required.
- Initiate correspondence to verify data, answer queries and obtain additional information on accounts and financial transactions, as required.
- Verify that the financial transactions are correct and in accordance with UNHCR rules and procedures.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
Accounting Business Administration, Finance
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
High level of IT affinity (MS Office applications, People Soft).

Desirable
Knowledge and work experience of MSRP Finance applications.
Good knowledge of UN/UNHCR Financial rules and procedures.
Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to the functions of the position.

Functional Skills
FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other)
IT-Computer Literacy
IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Nature of Position:

The East and Horn of Africa and the Great lakes region is the largest in sub-Saharan Africa with one of the largest numbers of forcibly displaced and stateless persons. The budgetary needs for the region are complex and significant and are planned and implemented through budgets for operations, administrative areas, and staffing. The Regional Bureau is responsible for second line of defence to the eleven regional operations in a number of functions.
The Regional Controller Office in the Regional Bureau is responsible for strengthening UNHCR's overall ability to deliver on its mandate. Supporting Senior Management by providing managerial and strategic Oversight of Budget and Finance functions, Audit, and Project control in the region and by providing substantive advice in such areas. Supporting regional programme and budgetary planning and resource allocation. Improving performance management reports and indicators leveraging BI technology. Supporting Operations in the Region on audit matters. Developing budget and financial, audit, and oversight capacity in the Bureau and the Region. Monitoring efficiency in the management of resources allocated to Operations and promoting efficient practices.
In addition to the job description, the incumbent of this position will also carry out the below responsibilities under supervision of the Senior Budget Officer:
- Leveraging existing corporate data platforms, information sources, systems and databases assist in the preparation and upkeep of Regional-specific budgetary and financial reports and engaging in analysis of such reports.
- Compile quarterly fleet and fuel reports and provide feedback to GFM on metrics to drive fleet and fuel efficiencies.
- Coordinate information, disseminating, and gathering exercises across the EHAGL operations for the Regional Controller Unit, including follow up and reporting on progress.
- Provide support and coordination for the Regional Bureau Oversight Committee (RBOC).
- Assist in maintaining Regional Controller Unit records, databases and local systems.
- Contribute with analysis, documentation, or any other relevant input in the preparation of notes and answer to audit queries.
- Maintaining audits/advisory register
- Provide training and support to colleagues within the office and operations in EHAGL on Cloud ERP, finance, asset management, and fleet/fuel management.
- Help scheduling meetings, trainings, and follow ups.
Desired Candidate Profile:
In view of RB mandate for managerial and strategic oversight, technical guidance and support to operations in the region, the incumbent should also have:
Essential:
- Certification in accounting
- Working knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS)
- Working knowledge in and experience using Cloud ERP, and its reporting functionality
- Experience in developing reports through contemporary BI tools.
- Experience administering capacity building/trainings in UNHCR


Desirable:
- Knowledge of UNHCR fleet and fuel management systems (Fleetwave, VTS)This position doesn't require a functional clearance

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Skills

BU-Budgeting, BU-PeopleSoft EPM/Budget, BU-UN/UNHCR Budgetary cycle, IT-Computer Literacy, UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures

Education

Certifications

Accounting - Other, Business Administration - Other, Finance - Other

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

This is a Temporary Appointment
Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Candidates may be required to sit for written test. Oral interviews are mandatory.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.