Finance Associate, Multiple positions

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is the operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.  With over 8,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it.  By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

The Project will fall under the purview of the UNOPS KEMC (Kenya Multi Country Office) Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KEMC sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and Southern Africa. This includes a large portfolio of Infrastructure, procurement and project management service projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and several Island states.

Following devastation caused to life, livelihoods and property by tropical storm Idai in March 2019, the WB has allocated up to US$ 75 million to finance a recovery project for Zimbabwe. The project addresses both early and mid-term recovery needs in multiple sectors (livelihoods, health, education, agriculture). UNOPS has been requested to establish a multiple projects in Zimbabwe to assist with the recovery of the selected areas in Zimbabwe that were most affected by the storm. There are multiple project and sections that require Finance Associates, including a Project Implementation Unit based in Harare and a Community infrastructure project in Mutare.

Under the direct supervision of the functional supervisor who reports to the Project Manager the Finance Associate will provide financial and administrative support to the timely processing, recording, monitoring, and maintaining if financial transactions and accounts relating to payments and receipts in accordance with UNOPS’ financial rules, regulations, policies, and processes.

1. Administration of budgets and cost-recovery system
2. Accounting. Payments, Payroll  
3. Office cash management
4. Knowledge building and Knowledge sharing

Administration of budgets and cost-recovery system

Ensures administration of budgets and functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Preparation and modifications of budgets for projects,
• Presentation of researched information for planning and status of office’s financial resources
• Provision of inputs for implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies in consultation with the office management.
• Preparation of cost sharing and trust fund agreements, follow up on contributions within the office’s resource mobilization efforts

Accounting. Payments, Payroll 

Accounting, Payments, Payroll functions focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Proper control of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports for projects; preparation of all types of vouchers; Pay Cycle and payments execution.
• Proper receipting of goods, services, and establishment of accruals.
• Approval of vendors in Enterprise system (if a senior member of the Finance team).
• Global payrolls processing in Enterprise system.
• Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, timely corrective actions on unposted voucher taken, including those with budget check errors, match exceptions and unapproved vouchers; transactions are correctly recorded and posted; payrolls are duly prepared and processed; travel claims, MPOs and other entitlements are duly processed
• Review of payment requests including supporting documents against the annual work plan.
• Timely accounts closure
• Timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues.
• Timely corrective actions on erroneous data in Enterprise system. Preparation of financial reports as required.
• Maintenance of the Accounts Receivables for projects and follow-up with partners on contributions, deposits creation in Enterprise system and their application to pending items.
• Timely reimbursements, payments of costs by the Government
• Preparation of vouchers for projects.

For Roving Positions outside ERP systems:

• Administer project advances, reconciliations, and replenishments, under authorized approvals as follows
• Liaise with programme officers and conduct necessary project visits to obtain all certified documents evidencing the completion of an activity, incurring of expenditure and identity of the party/vendor;
• Verify and monitor the accuracy of the statements and work plan compliance to provide replenishment of seed funds
• Collect all certified supporting documents, signatures, names and other particulars of the beneficiaries in receipt claims / reimbursements;
• Undertake required recording of transactions
• Reconcile the available balance of funds with the balance shown in the register;
• Where authorized, replenish funds upon receipt of relevant original documents and other evidence, and performing a reconciliation of the figures, beneficiaries, work plan and budget;
• Ensure settlement of the balance of cash in hand.

Office cash management

• Alternate to the supervising Finance Associate/Senior Finance Associate for timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements. Timely identification and recording of receipts for income application.
• Alternate to the supervising Finance Associate/Senior Finance Associate for daily review of zero-balance account bank statements in Enterprise system to monitor imprest level; identification and recording of contributions.
• Timely and accurate preparation of bank reconciliations.
• Alternate to the supervising Finance Associate/Senior Finance Associate for timely preparation of monthly cash flow forecast for use by Operations Manager/ Finance Analyst. Liaison with clients to obtain estimate of their cash requirement.
• Initiation of bank transfers and deals in Enterprise system.
• Creation of bank transfers (replenishment), deals and bank reconciliation processing.
• Effecting of operational Advances after submission of the reconciliation and settlement of the previous advances

• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for personnel on finance-related topics.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in human resources.
• Contribute feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.
• As Key Business User provide financial management support in the financial management module of Enterprise system to internal clients.

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Finance Associate directly impacts the efficient and effective management of financial resources in projects and programmes, demonstrating UNOPS’ effective stewardship of donor and partner funds. These promote the credibility of the organization as an effective service provider in project services and management.

• Completion of secondary school certificate is required.
• CPA (Certified Public Accountant), first University Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or equivalent disciplines is desirable but not required.
• Relevant certification in financial management or accounting a distinct advantage.

• Minimum of 6 years of relevant working experience within the areas of finance, accounting, business administration or related field is required;
• Knowledge of UNOPS financial rules and regulations is desired;
• Working knowledge of ERP is desired;
• At least 3 years in cash management, Account reconciliation and accounting skills are required:
• Experience with MS Office 2003/or newer versions and financial management, using electronic systems, environment are desired;
• Some experience in UN system organizations is desirable.

• Full knowledge of the English language is essential 
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• For staff positions only, 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.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Background Information – Kenya Multi Country Office (KEMC)

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KMCO sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and South Africa. This includes primarily transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, and multiple ‘operational’ projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and several island states.