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 - Job-specific

*******UNOP Somalia Country Office (SOCO) exciting career opportunity as we are ***committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.******

UNOPS - SOCO is recruiting this position: Finance Associate and qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.****

UNOPS Background: The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

Job Specific: Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Finance Manager, who reports to the Head of Support Services, the Finance Associate will ensure the effective execution of financial services and processes and transparent utilization of financial resources. The Finance Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations.

The Finance Associate works in close collaboration with IPAS Finance and other relevant colleagues in HQ as well as colleagues in the support services, programme and project functions in the field offices, resolving finance-related issues and information exchange. S/he promotes a client, quality, and results-oriented approach.

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 all 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; payrolls are duly prepared and processed; 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.

  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 zero-balance account bank statements in Enterprise system to monitor imprest level; identification and recording of contributions.
• 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 clients to obtain 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 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 affects the overall efficiency of the individual team’s provision of administrative services, impacting the office’s capacity to efficiently and effectively service the operational needs of the office/programme/projects. Timely and accountable delivery of services, accurate data entry, and presentation of financial information to ensure client-oriented approach and satisfaction that promotes the image and credibility within UNOPS Financial Services. This enhances UNOPS’ competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services in the country/region served.

Education

A. Education:

• Completion of secondary school or equivalent is required.

• Diploma Certificate in Accounting, Business Administration, or Finance or other relevant disciplines with four (4) years of experience may be accepted.

• A Bachelor’s Degree in related subjects i.e. Accounting, Business Administration, Finance or other relevant disciplines will be an asset but not required.

• A Master’s Degree in the relevant disciplines will be an asset but not required.

CPA /ACCA certification is desirable

Experience

B. Work Experience:

• A minimum six (6) years of progressively responsible finance or accounting experience is required at the national or international level.

• Knowledge of UN/UNOPS financial rules and regulations is an added advantage as well as working knowledge of ERP is desirable.

• Experience /knowledge of web-based applications and Google Suite products, especially google forms, sheets, docs and slides is an asset.

• Some experience in UN system organizations is desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in written, reading and spoken English Language is 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
• Mogadishu is a non-Family Duty Station
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• 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.

Contract type, level and duration

1. Contract type: Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA)
2. Contract level: LICA-6 / ICS 6
3. 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.

Background information - AFR

Africa Region

Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, the Africa Region supports UNOPS country offices in the region, providing financial oversight of projects, procuring goods and services and managing human resources. AFR helps ensure that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between projects across the entire region.

Somalia

In Somalia, UNOPS has had a solid and continuous in-country expert presence successfully implementing programmes since the mid-1990s, where it is currently undertaking various projects and initiatives in close collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia, Federal Member States and partners from the global donor community. UNOPS’ projects in Somalia focus on several key sectors that include infrastructure development, institutional capacity building, project management, advisory services, and procurement services.