Finance Advisor (Fiduciary)

Contract

This is a IICA-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.

Background Information - Afghanistan

Following the political events in Afghanistan in August 2021, the subsequent economic collapse has led to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis putting over 24 million people in immediate need of aid. To provide immediate short-term livelihood opportunities and deliver urgent essential services in rural and urban areas, UNOPS is working with funders to implement a large-scale community resilience program. The initiative aims to reach an estimated 1.1 million households, or 7.5 million Afghans, with livelihoods and income support. In addition, 9 million Afghans in some 6,200 rural communities and 8 cities will benefit from improved access to essential social services through strengthening the capacity of community institutions in inclusive service delivery.

Background Information - Job-specific

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Project, the Finance Advisor (Fiduciary) ensures that robust fiduciary controls are in place and contributes to the achievement of project’s strategic objectives and plan. They are responsible for full compliance of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and audit follow up with UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies. They implement effective internal control, proper design and functioning of the financial resources management system, and lead on the project’s finance business processes mapping and the implementation of internal standard operating procedures.

The Finance Advisor (Fiduciary) continuously analyzes and monitors the financial situation, presents financial forecasts for the project and has the overall responsibility for controlling all expenditures under the project, ensuring the timely financial administration of all transactions and providing advice to the Senior Project Manager on complex financial management issues. The Finance Advisor (Fiduciary) liaises with the funding partner and other stakeholders on issues related to financial management and ensures compliance with UNOPS financial management policies, procedures and practices.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Implementation project financial management
2. Budget planning and management
3. Accounting management
4. Cash and treasury management
5. Financial reporting
6. Team Management

7. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

   1. Implementation project financial management

Ensures the implementation of the project financial management, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Lead the project’s finance business processes mapping and elaboration/establishment of internal standard operating procedures; control of the workflows in the project.
• Advice to senior management on sound financial resources management.
• Provide guidance on requirements for handling transactions concerning UNOPS’ financial practices and rules.
• Continuous analysis and monitoring of the financial situation, presentation of forecasts for projects, and provide recommendations on appropriate measures to meet programme needs.
• Develop a financial database and financial management information system for the project that supports budgeting, planning in a way that enables UNOPS to respond to the financial reporting requirements of the funding partner. Enhance the fiduciary monitoring of Afghanistan’s Community Resilience and Livelihoods project.
• Develop a recommendation report to enhance the current monitoring mechanism. Provide advice on strategy to the Head of Project on how to implement the recommendation report and support in delivering the recommendation to AFCO senior management.
• Full compliance of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and audit follow up with UN/UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies and IPSAS standards.
• Implementation of the effective internal control, proper design and functioning of the financial resources management system.
• Proper management of the contributions management and accounting for contributions to ensure that funds due to UNOPS are properly identified, consistently and uniformly classified, recorded on a timely basis and received with sufficient supporting documentation.
• Monitoring of financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions and investigation of anomalies or unusual transactions.
• Proper planning, expenditure tracking and control on the utilization of the project of financial resources
• Elaboration and implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies.
• Monitoring of financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigates anomalies or unusual transactions.
• Informs supervisors and other UNOPS colleagues at Headquarters of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.

2. Budget planning and management

Manages the project budgets focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Financial resources management through planning, guiding, controlling of the resources in accordance with UNOPS rules and regulations.
• Preparation and monitoring of the project’s budget.
• Processing of project budget revisions upon authorization by the Senior Management (can be done only on the basis of signed documents and project budgets).
• Elaboration of proper mechanisms to eliminate deficiencies in budget management.
• Preparation of Budget variance reports

3. Accounting Management

Ensures effective accounting systems focusing on achievement of the following results in compliance with IPSAS and UNOPS policies and procedures:

• Elaboration of the internal control framework which ensures that payment requests ( RFP) are processed are e-matched and completed, financial transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Enterprise system ( ERP); travel claims and other entitlements are duly processed and timely receipting of goods and services in the ERP system.
• Timely accounting and reconciliation of all transactions.
• Security for cash and valuable assets.
• Proper management and accounting for contributions to ensure that funds due to the project are properly identified, consistently and uniformly classified, recorded on a timely basis and received with sufficient supporting documentation.
• Timely corrective actions on unposted payment requests , including RFP’s with budget and fund check errors, match exceptions and unapproved payment vouchers. Follow up with HQ for timely resolutions on finance requests.

4. Cash and Treasury Management

Ensures effective cash management systems focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Timely review of the monthly and quarterly cash flow requirement for the project to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements. Timely identification and recording of receipts for income application.
• Monitoring of financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions and investigation of anomalies or unusual transactions. Provision of information to supervisors and other UNOPS staff at HQ on the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.
• Weekly review of the Project cash balances in Enterprise system to ensure adequate cash to meet the project’s payment and fund commitment needs Primary contact with local bank management on routine operational matters.
• Timely and accurate approval of bank reconciliation, including documented review of exceptions.

• Timely preparation of monthly cash-flow forecasts for use by UNOPS Treasury to fund the local Bank accounts.

  5. Financial Reporting

• Prepare Monthly and Quarterly Interim Financial Reports (IFR’s) for both the Senior Management and the Client, in the prescribed format.

• Prepare and submit the Contribution’s Tranche requests, in prescribed format.

  6. Team Management

• Facilitate the engagement and provision of high quality results and services of the team supervised through effective recruitment, work planning, performance management, coaching, and promotion of learning and development.

• Provide oversight, ensuring compliance by team members with existing policies and best practices.
• Ensure principles of human rights, gender equity, peace, voice and accountability, ‘doing no harm’ and aid effectiveness in all activities.
• Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments.

7. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Provide strategic guidance and on-the-job training to ensure work standards are achieved, both in terms of quality and quantity of inputs/outputs processed.
• Lead, approve and conduct initiatives on capacity development and knowledge building for Finance personnel, including network development, plans, learning plans and activities, Finance practice information and best practice benchmarking.
• Oversee team’s contributions to Finance knowledge networks and communities of practice including collaborative synthesis of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in human resources management.
• Guide team’s collection of feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• An advanced university degree (e.g. Masters) in Finance, Management, Business/Public Administration, or other relevant discipline is required. A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) in combination with some additional years of progressively relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work experience

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in finance or accounting is required.
• Experience in the preparation of financial statements is desirable.
• Experience in implementing projects funded by the World Bank is desirable.
• Experience in working in post crisis countries is desirable.
• Knowledge of UNOPS financial rules and regulations is an advantage.
• Financial management experience and use of electronic systems is desired.

Languages

• Proficiency in English is required.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International ICA Contract level: IICA-3 / ICS-11 Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

• 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
• 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• 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.

Background Information - UNOPS

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.