UNFPA Finance Consultant

Location: UNFPA Representation Office in Brussels, Belgium
Application Deadline: 22 August 2024
Type of Contract: Individual Consultant Contract
Expected Starting Date: 16 September 2024
Duration: One-year contract
Of note: Only holders of a valid permit authorizing them to work in the European Union are eligible to apply. The successful candidate will sign a local consultancy contract under which fees are not tax-exempt.

Who we are

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, works to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA Representation Office in Brussels represents UNFPA and liaises with key external partners, including the European Commission (EC), governments, parliaments, CSOs and media.

Consultancy

The Brussels Representation Office seeks a dynamic and detail-oriented Finance Consultant to ensure effective financial management and reporting for projects funded by the EC. This role is crucial in supporting the successful implementation of projects that drive significant change.

Main Tasks & Responsibilities

Financial Management of EC Contribution Agreements

• Facilitate the negotiation and management of EC Contribution Agreements
• Clear financial parts of new Contribution Agreements before signature and amendments to the existing Contribution Agreements.

Financial Monitoring and Reporting of EC funded Projects

• Monitor expenditure and implementation of EC funded projects.
• Analyse and review interim and final financial reports.
• Ensure that interim and final reports to the EC are prepared in a timely manner and meet the reporting requirements.

Provide Support and Guidance for Budget Holders

• Assist budget-holders to ensure the timely and full implementation of EC funded projects.
• Provide advice on EC reporting procedures and on financial management to budget-holders.
• Monitor appropriate management of EC contributions in EUR and USD terms. Make recommendations for improvements as necessary.
• Ensure that EC funds are managed in compliance with UNFPA Financial Regulations and Rules.
• Engage and support budget-holders in the fulfillment of contractual obligations under the EC-funded projects including joint projects implemented through MPTF or other UN Agencies.
• Review of draft financial reports and provide relevant guidance on financial reporting requirements to budget-holders.
• Provide guidance to budget-holders in budget revisions, review and reconciliation of expenditure re-classifications (including year-end account closure activities)
• Assist the Brussels Representation Office in providing inputs to the preparation of a project overview and implementation rates and closure processes.
• Assist budget-holders with the preparation of the bridge financing requests, reversals and fund balance reconciliations.
• Update regularly the financial data of the internal contract tracker to ensure that it reflects real-time and up-to-date information. Facilitate review of reconciliation of EU fund balances together with Finance Branch.
• Facilitate review of reconciliation of EU fund balances together with Finance Branch.

Capacity Building for Budget Holders

• Facilitate capacity-building activities for EC budget-holders based on the established Brussels Representation Office’s capacity building plan.

Additional Financial Tasks

• Perform any other finance-related tasks as necessary

Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• University degree required in Business Administration or Economics, preferably with specialization in finance or accounting.

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 2 years of relevant work experience at national and/or international levels in financial management, economics, knowledge of international development financing, policies and institutions, international politics.
• Strong organizational ability with attention to detail and quality; ability to work in a team environment.
• Knowledge of EU policies and procedures is desirable.

Languages:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

Others:

• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office software package;
• Knowledge and experience of the Enterprise Resource Planning system is an asset;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment;
• Only holders of a valid permit authorizing them to work in the European Union are eligible to apply

Please send your application with cover letter and CV in one pdf-file (named first name and last name) by email to brussels.office@unfpa.org, no later than 22 August 2024. Write “Application Consultancy” in the email subject line. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in Belgium.