Finance Assistant

Contract

This is a UNV National Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Youth contracts.

The Finance Assistant works in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations Team as well as with the Operations and Programme teams in UN Women HQ for solving complex finance-related issues and information delivery.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Operations Analyst or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Finance Assistant will:

1. Support Preparation and administration of Tunisia and Libya CO budgets in full compliance of UN Women rules, regulations, policies, and recording and reporting systems. • Assist in formulate the budget, control allotments, monitor expenditures, and prepare revisions according to the needs of the Tunisia and Libya CO; • Assist to prepare cost recovery documents or bills for the services provided by UN Women to other programmes or organizations. • Provide support to create projects in Quantum system, support in preparation of budget revisions, revise project awards and status; and determine unutilized funds. • Support implementation and maintenance of control mechanism for development projects through monitoring budgets preparation and modifications and budgetary status. • Assist to maintain internal expenditure control system.

• Undertake corrective actions on un-posted vouchers, including vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions and unapproved vouchers. Respond to RO /HQ requests to resolve financial data issues. • Input data in Quantum and monitor status. Keep stakeholders and clients informed for timely action and/or decisions. 2. Provide finance support to the Programme and Operations team. • Assist to review accounts receivables for UN Women projects and follow-up with project managers and finance section at regional office and/or headquarters on contributions, deposits creation in Quantum and their application to AR pending items. • Prepare PO and non-PO vouchers for development projects. • Record and post transactions in Quantum system, , travel claims, and other entitlements; • Monitor the setup of budgets in Quantum to ensure they are in accordance with budgets agreed with donors and are input into QUANTUM at the detailed Activity ID level. • Monitor each month over-expenditure of budgets and follow up with Budget Owner. • Monitor proper follow up of advances to implementing partners, review their financial reports together with project managers. • Monitor the financial status and under the guidance of the Operations Analyst implement control mechanisms for management/development projects. • Monitor and proper follow up of all the financial items in Month-end and Year-end closure instructions status and under the guidance of the Operations Analyst, take correction actions as required. • Assist to provide information inputs to financial reports for Regional Office, HQ Finance and stakeholders. • Provide input and take necessary actions to facilitate timely financial project closure.

3. Provide administrative support to Resource Mobilization • Support in compilation and to process information from donors, Tunisia and Libya CO, and programme team, as inputs to various databases and documents • Any other related tasks may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers. • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs:

• Monthly progress report (English) with the achieved responsibilities in line with the ToR and timesheets • Final report (in English) about the achievements, lessons learnt, and recommendations • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UN WOMEN; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UN WOMEN procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UN WOMEN in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary. • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance, and commitment towards UN women mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

national or international certification in accounting and finance is an asset .

▪ Strong knowledge of financial rules and regulations and accounting principles; ▪ Some knowledge and application skills of IT tools and understanding of management systems ▪ Strong knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages; ▪ Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems; ▪ Ability to support administration and execution financial and accounting processes and transactions.

▪ Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and spreadsheet and database packages, ▪ ▪ • ▪ Experience in handling of web-based management systems is required. ▪ Experience in the use of Quantum system is an asset.

• Geography and Climate: Tunisia, the smallest country of the North African coast, with a population of slightly over 10 million of which about 60% live in urban locations, has one of the highest living standards on the continent. Tunis is the capital of the country and the largest city (population of approximately two million in and outside the city proper). As a small country, all destinations within Tunisia can be reached in a day drive. Tunisia

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 6 borders with Libya (Southeast) and with Algeria (West). Tunisia has a Mediterranean climate. Along the coast of northern Tunisia, summers are hot and dry, and winters are warm and rainy. In the northwest, there is occasional snowfall in the mountains. In southern Tunisia, it is hotter and drier. Southern Tunisia, where the Sahara begins, is semi-desert. In some parts, there are oases with giant palm trees and small market gardens. Religion: About 99 percent of the population is Muslim, especially Sunni Islam, as it is the major and state religion. Tunisia has also a small Christian population, composed of Roman Catholics, members of the Greek Orthodox Church, and French and English Protestants. In addition, there is a small population of Sephardic Jews. Economy: The country does not have vast stocks of hydrocarbons like its neighbors Algeria and Libya but has prospered under long-standing 24 Mar 2019 Page 1 of 8 Assignment Title Child Protection Specialist/ Justice for Children government policies to develop manufacturing, tourism, and agriculture. At the same time, social programs limit population growth, provide a high standard of education, and ensure a relatively decent standard of living for all. The largest percentage of Tunisia’s exports are agricultural and mining products, which generate over 11 billion dollars a year. Tunisia's biggest export partners are France and Italy. Tunisia is a member of the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), the Arab Monetary Fund, and the Union of the Arab Maghreb (UMA). Public transportation: In addition to the private taxi services, the state runs a reliable and cost-effective public transport system. Safety and security: The crime rate is low, but there have been cases of theft. Walking alone during daylight hours is permitted, but you may want to be more careful at night. Tunisia is still undergoing a critical period of democratic and social transition. The heated political debate has, at times, developed into a localized confrontation among ideological opponents. Although these tensions are unrelated to foreigners, it is nevertheless important to remain updated on the political situation. Therefore, security advice is sent systematically by UNDSS. Working on Libya from Tunis gives a unique opportunity to work on a complex and evolving situation within a country that has one of the highest living standards in the continent. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.