Finance Assistant

Volunteering Finance & Economy

Overview

Provide financial services to promote sustainable development agenda.

You have:

• A university degree in finance or accounting is desirable. Part-qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
• 03 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience at the national or international level is required.
• Fluent in English or French with the working knowledge of the other language.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Contract

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

The Finance team supports the Country Office (CO) in the promotion of its sustainable development agenda by continuously enhancing CO financial performance, delivering sound management of financial resources, and ensuring strong accountability through informed decision making, effective financial management processes, and transparent financial reporting that complies with international standards and regulatory guidelines.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Operations Manager and direct supervisor, the Finance Assistant provides financial services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. The Finance Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Finance Assistant works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme and projects’ staff in the Country Office (CO) and with UNDP HQ and GSSC staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

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

Support implementation of operational strategies • Ensure full compliance of financial processes and financial records with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) and strategies. • Provide input to the Finance unit and office management in preparing and reviewing CO business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal standard operating procedures in finance in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management.

Support functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system. • Provide inputs for preparation of cost-recovery and Direct Project Costs (DPC) bills in ERP for the services provided by UNDP, and follow up on cost recovery.

Provide accounting and administrative support to the Finance unit. • Provide support in ensuring proper control of the supporting documents for payment invoices and proper document management including systematic archiving.
• Prepare financial reports for non-development projects and management funds/budget balance. • Prepare all types of invoices for projects and on behalf of UNOPS and non-ERP Agencies.
• Maintain a proper filing system for finance records and documents. • Maintain the internal expenditures control system which ensures that invoices processed are matched and completed; transactions are correctly recorded and posted in ERP; and travel claims and other entitlements are duly processed. • Provide information on the status of financial resources as required. • Take timely corrective actions on unposted invoices, including invoices with validation errors, match exceptions, and/or unapproved invoices. • Manage cash receipts and petty cash. • Maintain the Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects in ERP.

Ensure proper functioning of CO cash and Treasury management systems. • Serve as alternate to Finance Associate (ICS-6) for timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds for disbursements and maintain liquidity level approved by Treasury.

Identify and record receipts and create deposits for revenue application on a timely basis. • Identify and record contributions. • Prepare timely and accurate bank reconciliations and provide documentation to GSSC according to service level agreement. Initiate bank transfers and deals in ERP.

Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO • Participate in the training for the operations/ projects staff on finance. • Provide contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. • The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Results/expected outputs:

• As an active UNDP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNDP Country Office and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

o Effective and transparent utilization of financial resources allocated to the office o Proper supply and asset management o Effective administrative and financial control of the office o Verification and payment of invoices to suppliers.

• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP 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 UNDP 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; • 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; • Client orientation • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

• A university degree in finance or accounting is desirable. Part-qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage. • Candidates with accountancy certification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage. Candidates without certification but with relevant experience must complete the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited. • 03 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience at the national or international level is required. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines • Fluent in English or French with the working knowledge of the other language.

The living conditions are Yaounde are relatively good, but housing and accommodation costs are high. Especially in areas heavily populated by internationals and diplomats. There are frequent power cuts and water shortages. Modern shopping malls exist bit tend to be expensive; the local market sells fresh fruits and vegetables which are reasonably priced and affordable. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org