Finance Associate

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an 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.

Sustainable Development Cluster - SDC

SDC is a business unit within the New York Office.  It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development, and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York.  The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

Under the direct supervision of Project Support Officer who reports to the Head of Support Services, 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

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, ensuring budgets are in conformity with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations & procedures of the funding source
• 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.
• Monitor cash requirements and expenditures;
• Support management of LMDC recovery for projects in the cluster
• Assist in the preparation of costing proposal during business acquisition phase as well as understating finance review of new engagements and/ or amendments

2. Payments, Accounting and Reporting

• Examine payment requests for completeness prior to approval as follows: ensure that documentation is complete and all information concerning the payment has been supplied; proper accounting codes used; certification of services rendered/goods delivered is written on the payment document and duly signed by authorized officials; payment to sub-contractors are in compliance with terms and conditions of agreement
• Liaise with other UNOPS offices and UNDP as may be required for effecting payments and tracing of payments.
• Review and confirm appropriateness of operational transactions processed through the interpretation and determination of applicable policies, regulations, rules, i.e. disbursements within authorized limits, payroll, contractual agreements, payments to suppliers, travel claims, etc
• Review of proper receipting of goods, services, and establishment of accruals.
• Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that RfPs processed are matched and completed, timely corrective actions taken, including but not limited to those with funds check errors and unapproved RfPs; transactions are correctly recorded and posted; travel claims and other entitlements are duly processed.
• Support the monthly, quarterly and yearend closure process as applicable for the cluster
• Monitoring of financial data quality of projects under the cluster (both admin and client projects) and processing adjustments where necessary.
• Timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues.
• Timely corrective actions on erroneous data in Enterprise system.
• Provide financial analysis aimed at various audience and to support decisions making
• Preparation of client financial reports for certification.
• 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.

• Undertake required recording of transactions through journals

3. Cash management

• Administer project advances, petty cash & credit card reconciliations and replenishments 
• In collaboration with program support officer provide of guidance to members of the cluster regarding alternative modes of disbursements
• Support timely preparation of monthly cash flow forecast for projects

• 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 the area of finance.
• 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.

A. Education

• Completion of secondary school is required.
• University Degree in Accounting/ Finance/ Business Administration/ Economics, or similar disciplines is desirable.
• Relevant certification in accounting and finance area (CPA, ACCA, CIMA etc)  are a distinct advantage.

B. Work Experience

• Minimum of 6 years of relevant working experience within the areas of finance, accounting, business administration or related field is required. 
• Alternatively, a bachelor's degree in any of the areas above mentioned with two years of relevant experience or a master's degree can substitute for a secondary school and 6 years of experience. 

Following items are only desirable:

• Working knowledge of large ERP systems;
• Experience with Google suite: MS Office 2010/or newer versions especially advanced spreadsheet skills; and financial management, using electronic systems environment

C. Language

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

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement - LICA Contract level: LICA 6
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

• 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.