Finance Associate

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UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services

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Application deadline 2 years ago: Wednesday 26 May 2021 at 23:59 UTC

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Contract

This is a LICA-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 6 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA-6 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

Kenya Multi Country Office (KEMCO)

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office (KEMCO) manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KEMC/East and Southern Africa 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 transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, other UN partners, development banks and funds. The multi-country office also supports multiple ‘operational’ projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Eritrea. The Nairobi based Technical Services Unit provides UN/OPS and external partners infrastructure assessment, planning, design, feasibility and safeguards services.

Project Information: The project ‘Mozambique Northern Crisis Recovery Project’ will be based in and around the City of Pemba in Cabo Delgado Province supporting the resettlement of IDPs from temporary settlement sites to 20 relocations sites. The project will support both IDPs and Host communities. The project comprises of 4 main objectives related to the - Component 1: psychosocial social support and community peace building; and enhancing State-society trust and confidence. - Component 2: provision of agriculture and fisheries inputs, cash for work programs for youth and women and the provision of kits for micro and small business development; and training on entrepreneurship and business management. - Component 3: the restoration of basic services, small works for agriculture production, education and health infrastructure and the construction or rehabilitation of school and health infrastructure and community services and amenities in temporary and relocation sites and host communities. - Component 4: strengthening of technical capacity of government authorities and local governments for conflict management. This component will also support project implementation, financial management, procurement, safeguards, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation.

The project will be implemented in collaboration with government authorities and will be guided by the various programme guidelines provided by the World bank- as the funding source.

The project team is expected to contain Programme management staff, Safeguards and Monitoring and Evaluation staff and infrastructure staff and will require significant stakeholder and partner coordination and management.

Local Context:

The project will be based in the city of Pemba, in Cabo Delgado, this position is expected to maintain regular travels to Niassa and Nampula provinces, as needed. The Hardship level of Pemba is 4.

The incumbent will also be required to establish full operations and UNOPS presence in the project location with the support of the Multi Country Office.

While UNOPS has an established presence in Mozambique, this new project requires establishment of operational presence in the North. This will require rapid onboarding and mobilization of technical and support personnel dedicated to this project. UNOPS will support the national Government PIU to deliver this project and ensure adequate support is provided to build sustainable capacity in relevant institutions

Under the direct supervision of 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.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

  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 relevant types of vouchers; Pay Cycle and payments execution. - Proper receipting of goods, services, and establishment of accruals. - 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;; 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 the 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 Cash Book/ Bank Accounts Balance to ensure adequate cash balances at all times; 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 projects to obtain an estimate of their cash requirement.
  • Effecting of operational Advances after submission of the reconciliation and settlement of the previous advances.

Knowledge building and knowledge sharing - 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 provides financial management support in the financial management module of Enterprise system to internal clients.

Impact of Results 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.

Education

  • Completion of secondary school with six (6) years of relevant working experience is required;
  • Diploma Certificate in financial management or accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration or any other relevant disciplines with four (4) years of relevant working experience disciplines may be accepted;
  • First University Degree in financial management or accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration or any other relevant disciplines will be an added advantage.
  • Relevant certification in financial management or accounting is a distinct advantage.

Experience

  • Minimum of 6 years of relevant working experience within the areas of finance, accounting (cash management, budget revision and account reconciliation etc),business administration or related field is required
  • Knowledge of UNOPS financial rules and regulations is desired
  • 1 year working knowledge of ERP systems is required;
  • Experience in UN system organizations is desirable.

Languages

  • Fluency in oral and written English and Portuguese languages are required.

Competencies

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.

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.

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.

  • *****This is a local post. As such, it is only open to Mozambican nationals or persons with valid residence permits*****
  • *****This position is not based in a family duty station*****

Contract type, level and duration

  • Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement
  • Contract level: ICS 6/LICA 6
  • 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

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.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: jobs.unops.org