Head of Finance

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

UNOPS Myanmar is one of UNOPS’ leading offices in Asia, acting as fund manager for three of the largest development programmes in the country, namely the Access to Health, the Livelihood and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) and the Joint Peace Fund (JPF). In addition, UNOPS is Principal Recipient for the Global Fund in Myanmar and for the Global Fund’s Regional Artemisinin-resistance Initiative targeting drug resistant malaria in the greater Mekong sub-region. UNOPS provides procurement, infrastructure, and project management services to a wide range of organizations in the country, including international development partners, other UN agencies, NGOs, and INGOs. UNOPS plays a critical role in ensuring that the quality of services provided to its partners meets stringent requirements of speed, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. 

Established in 1996, UNOPS Myanmar is a key partner in the country’s humanitarian and development efforts, with a strong, long-standing presence on the ground. UNOPS supports both chronic and sudden-onset needs across Myanmar, offering flexible and responsive solutions. UNOPS manages several major development funds, including the Livelihoods and Food Security Fund, the Access to Health Fund, and the Joint Peace Fund. Through the Asia Regional Health Cluster, UNOPS also serves as the Principal Recipient for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and implements the Regional Artemisinin-Resistance Initiative Towards Elimination of Malaria (RAI3E) programme. UNOPS Myanmar's core strengths lie in fund and programme management, infrastructure, and procurement, delivering tailored, high-impact solutions to support the priorities of government and development partners.

Within UNOPS Myanmar’s Support Services Department, the Finance Unit is responsible for the successful delivery of financial services to all of UNOPS’ operations in Myanmar. The Finance Unit is composed of over 75 people, many based throughout Myanmar as part of the Managed Cash Flow Unit. The Head of Finance is responsible for the transparent utilization of financial resources and effective leadership of the Finance Unit.

The duty station is Yangon (Myanmar), however, will be temporarily based in Bangkok (Thailand) pending receipt of Myanmar visa approval. The Myanmar entry visa processing may take minimum of 2 months. Will be relocated to Yangon, Myanmar as soon as the entry visa is obtained.

Myanmar is the non-family duty station and the successful candidate is expected to be in Myanmar to perform the duties and responsibilities of the advertised position. 

The Head of Finance directly impacts the effective management and financial integrity of UNOPS through the effective stewarding of UNOPS Myanmar resources, maintaining appropriate controls and integrity of financial management in accordance with relevant UNOPS rules and regulations, enabling prudent management financial resources and building an informed and shared management engagement on financial issues in support of the UNOPS Myanmar strategy. Additionally, this role serves as the Deputy to the Head of Support Services, ensuring operational continuity and providing strategic support across the broader Support Services Unit. 

1. Strategic Advice and Guidance

• Provide strategic and technical advice and timely performance management reports to MMCO projects, programmes, and Senior Management Group, to enable and encourage informed management engagement on financial issues.
• Advise MMCO senior leadership on cost reduction strategies aimed at maintaining MMCO’s financial viability.
• Participate in the development and implementation of the MMCO’s business plan as a strategic partner.
• Advise MMCO senior leadership on financial performance against the annual delivery targets with the purpose of informed strategic decision and resource allocation in line with the organizational priorities.
• Review, analyze and revise data for finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, and direct support during the development and implementation of project acquisition to ensure efficient financial implementation and adherence to both UNOPS and client pricing policies.
• Actively participate in the interagency discussions and meetings in respect to any financial arrangements and procedures which affect the financial operations in country.

2. Financial Management, Reporting and Controls

• Continuously review financial and accounting operations ensuring adequate financial controls are in place to protect financial resources and ensure reliability of data and financial reports.
• Develop and implement UNOPS Myanmar financial management Standard Operating Procedures, guidelines and control mechanisms, in conformity with UNOPS rules and regulations.
• Manage the locally shared services and management budgets including review, analysis, reporting, monitoring performance and identification of administrative budgetary requirements including provision of guidance on budget preparation and the procedures for submission to facilitate consolidation at the regional level.
• Provide timely and accurate financial reports to funding sources in accordance with UNOPS rules and procedures and established donor requirements
• Manage accounts receivables and accounts payable including payroll and  development - of reporting mechanism.
• Lead account review, analysis and reconciliation, ensuring the quality and accuracy of the financial data disclosed in the certified financial statements; Implement related and effective risk management actions.
• Lead monthly, quarterly and annual closure activities for MMCO in compliance with pertinent UNOPS policies and procedures, and in line with Finance Group guidelines.
• Manage audit activities, including planning, preparation and coordination during the audit engagements and follow up on audit observations/recommendations; Implement necessary changes to strengthen financial controls.
• Establish, manage and maintain arrangements with commercial banks in Myanmar to achieve cost-effectiveness and secure payments.
• Lead the development and implementation of cash handling procedures and prepare cash and currency flow forecasts and projections.

3. Financial Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

• Contribute to the development of internal capacity across MMCO in financial accounting.
• Develop capacity of stakeholders in financial accounting by leading, organizing and conducting training/workshops, identifying expert resources to facilitate as needed.
• Synthesize and disseminate lessons learned and best practices in finance, and offer sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Provide technical guidance and on the job training to ensure work standards are achieved, both in terms of quality and quantity of inputs/outputs processed.

4. Management and Leadership

• Act as the Deputy to the Head of Support Services, ensuring continuity of operations, providing strategic cross-functional support, and representing the Support Services Unit in senior management and external fora as required.
• Lead and provide oversight for the Finance Unit, establishing strategic team objectives, key performance indicators, and measurement standards toward delivering expected results.
• Manage the cash-flow/disbursement/cash transfer mechanisms and implementation of internal controls, risk management and planning of related activities, including a team upwards of 80 personnel.
• Continuously assess the performance and effectiveness of financial services, recommending changes and/or corrective actions in the team structure and/or finance operations to enhance and maintain effectiveness in the changing environment.
• Attract, retain and develop talent in the Finance Unit with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance, offering guidance to enable responsible, effective and efficient performance.
• Promote collaboration and foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or a related discipline with 9 years of relevant experience OR

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or a related discipline with 7 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

• Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent is highly desired.

Required

• Relevant experience is considered experience in financial management, budget management and accounting.

• Minimum 2 years experience in supervising and managing teams is required.

• Knowledge of international accounting and financial reporting standards is required.

• Experience in another functional area in operations such as HR, procurement and general administration is required.

Desired

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.

• Experience in handling complex financial management issues in a large-scale project management environment is desired.

• Experience in multi-donor and multi-agency accounting, budgeting and auditing is highly desirable.

• Experience with UN administrative and financial regulations and rules as well as procurement procedures would be an asset.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.