Finance Associate

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 - 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.

Background Information - BSSC

The UNOPS Bangkok Shared Service Centre (BSSC) is a Shared Services Centre (SSC) unit established for the purpose of providing internal, global, cost-effective transactional services which enhance the operational capacity of UNOPS and standardize systems and procedures. The BSSC, among other functions, carries out high-quality transactional services within the area of personnel contract administration and payroll.

For young professionals, a job within UNOPS BSSC offers the opportunity to enter the United Nations system via crucial back office service delivery in an engaging and development-focused work environment as part of a dynamic and effective UN entity. BSSC jobs offer a platform of learning and exposure to UNOPS' operations and the greater UN system.

Background Information - Job-specific

Under the BSSC Finance Manager's guidance and supervision, the Finance Associate oversees the newly established BSSC Bank reconciliation and promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations. The incumbent will closely work and collaborate with Programme, Project and Support Services colleagues in the local office as well as with the UNOPS HQ colleagues to exchange information and ensure accurate and consistent service delivery.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:- Supervision to the BSSC reconciliation team - Implementation of operational strategies - Support to Treasury - Accounting, reconciliation and administrative support - Bank reconciliation / Financial reporting and control - Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

1.Provide supervision to the BSSC reconciliation team, focusing on achievement of the following results: - Facilitates the reconciliation team’s engagement and provision of high-quality results and services of the bank accounts, corporate cards and UNDP SCA reconciliation, through effective work planning, performance management, coaching, and promotion of learning and development - Provides oversight, ensuring compliance by the reconciliation team members with existing policies and best practices. - Establishes a solid working relationship between the reconciliation team and its key stakeholders

2. Ensures implementation of operational strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance with UNOPS rules and regulations of financial processes, financial records and reports and audit follow up; implementation of the effective internal control framework.
• Elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management.

3. Provides support to Treasury,focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Review and confirmation of appropriateness of operational transactions processed through the interpretation and determination of applicable policies, regulations, rules
• Frequent contact with the local banks and local finance officers to obtain day-to-day information on rates of exchange, interest rates, changes in procedures and bank regulations, etc.
• Reconciliation of entire UNOPS bank accounts
• Reconciliation of HQ Corporate cards (Prepaid cards and MasterCard) transactions
• Work closely with the BSSC Payment team, accounts receivable and reversal team to ensure efficient implementation of reconciliation processes.

4. Provides accounting, bank reconciliation and administrative support, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Processes the UNOPS Bank accounts reconciliations and resolve discrepancies between cash book and bank statement.
• Analyzes transactions and reports, investigates, and prepares adjustments, as required.
• Follow-ups on all unreconciled items and provides regular updates to the BSSC Financial Management Officer.
• Assists both internal and external auditors by providing requested documents in an organized state in a timely manner
• Manages communications and ensures that stakeholders are aware of the reconciliation team’s activities, deadlines for request submission and updates on policies and procedures
• Works closely with BSSC Finance Manager, counterparts and clients to support the development and drafting of guidelines, training and communication materials, to ensure efficient implementation of reconciliation processes
• Communicates with colleagues/clients in areas requiring verification, corrections, additional information, etc. to improve quality of output and/or account submission and increase knowledge base in the process.

5. Ensures effective Bank Reconciliation and financial reporting and control, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Reviews and validates the monthly bank reconciliation reports for the UNOPS bank accounts, corporate cards and UNDP SCA by the required deadlines
• Frequent contact with other finance staff in the organization in the preparation of bank reconciliation, client reporting, or audit activities.
• Preparation of recurring, ad-hoc or special financial reports as required.
• Maintains the proper digital filing system for financial records and documents.

6. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in Finance.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice

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.

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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

Completion of secondary school or equivalent. A BA or MA degree in Finance or Accounting would be an asset and may substitute for some of the required years of work experience, but is not a requirement. Specialized training in finance or accounting is desirable.

Experience:

• 6 years of relevant accounting and financial experience at national level is required.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (G Suite) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling web-based management systems is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and oral English required.
• Knowledge of second UN working language is desirable.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement Contract level: LICA-6 Contract duration: 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.