Finance Associate (Finance and Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT), Colombo, Sri Lanka

Contract

This is a G-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 6 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 1,049 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Results

UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child in Sri Lanka. Our goal is to ensure that all of our children survive, thrive and fulfill their vast potential.

In a world that is rapidly changing, children are faced with complex challenges and unprecedented opportunities. UNICEF’s programs are designed to reach and benefit all children so that they can withstand these challenges, leverage these opportunities and be the drivers of their own destiny.

UNICEF is committed to creating a country in which every child is free to learn, play and grow. Our programs work towards providing all children in Sri Lanka with shelter, nutrition, protection and education, wherever they may be. We strive to create communities in which children can live with dignity and hope, free from discrimination, violence and fear.

We make every effort to create and maintain environments that will enable and empower children to be the very best that they can be.

In this way, all children will not only benefit from economic and social growth but will become the driving force behind sustainable national development.

For over 50 years, with the help of our vast network of partners, UNICEF has made significant strides in raising health, education and protection standards for children in Sri Lanka. From achieving Universal Child Immunization (1989) to establishing The National Child Protection Authority (1998) to providing decades of crucial relief in the wake of devastating conflict and natural disaster, UNICEF has played a pivotal role in creating an environment in which children have the best chance to survive and thrive.

Yet, many challenges still exist, especially for the most vulnerable. Some national and regional bodies require resources and reinvigoration. Individuals and institutions need to be strengthened, coordinated and aligned with global standards so that children enjoy support in their schools, communities and homes to help them overcome challenges and unleash their full potential into the world.

Due to our long-standing reputation as an experienced, neutral and collaborative partner, UNICEF is ideally suited to drive these efforts. Our history of success in Sri Lanka is built on our ability to tap into a wide network of national and international partners which, in turn, is bolstered by our own far-reaching presence in the field. In working closely with these government, non-government and private entities, UNICEF takes a leadership role, drawing on our technical expertise to accurately assess existing challenges and develop, execute and coordinate solutions that are relevant and scalable on the ground. For more information about UNICEF Sri Lanka and its work visit: http://www.unicef.org/srilanka

How can you make a difference?

At the G-6 level, the below tasks are expected to be carried out with a high level of independence.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

1. Advises and assists on all aspects related to the preparation of reports, compilation of data and answering queries on fund commitments recorded, funds received, and adjustments made to ensure financial compliance, accuracy and completeness of data for its inclusion into the statement of accounts and adjustment of budgets. Advise units of discrepancies and assist in resolving differences in their records.

2. Maintains financial records and monitoring systems to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, payments, statements and other data for day-to-day transactions and reports.

3. Selects and enters data from a wide variety of documents, verifying and ensuring accuracy by checking sources, making necessary calculations and assuring inclusion of all relevant data.

4. Prepares recurring reports as schedules and special reports, as required for budget preparation, audits or other reasons.

5. Reconciles & closes month-end and year-end accounts and assists in the preparation of year-end reports related to accounts receivable, accounts payable, prepayments, deposits, general ledger balances, open commitments, etc.

6. Advises and assists international staff, experts and consultants on all aspects of allowances, salary advances, travel claims and other financial matters, and calculates and authorizes payments due for claims and services.

7. Initiates correspondence to verify data, answers queries and obtains additional information on accounts and financial transactions, as required.

8. Maintains liaisons with officials of local banks to obtain day-to-day information on exchange and interest rates, changes in procedures and regulations, and matters pertaining to maintaining office bank accounts. This includes preparing recurring reports and bank reconciliation.

9. Prepares detailed cost estimates and participates in budget analysis and projects, as required.

10. Maintains daily status reports of grants allocated to the Operations section.

11. Functions as the Petty Cash custodian and a Local Focal Point for payment processing in the country office and the outposts and conducts payments in compliance with the UNICEF Financial and Cash Management procedures and the Standard Operating Procedure, ensuring proper internal controls, accurate posting of transactions, adherence to the table of authority, methodical filing, timely replenishments, and month-end reconciliations.

12. Processes Travel Authorizations related to in-country travel of staff members in compliance with the UNICEF travel policy, duty travel procedures, and Standard Operating procedure, applying the accurate and latest published Daily Subsistence Allowance rates and terminals in a timely manner.

13. Coordinates with the HACT Focal Point, Finance Officer, Programme staff members and Third-Party Auditors to arrange and conduct Financial Assurance activities of programme implementing partners in compliance with UNICEF Financial & HACT policies, procedures and Guidance notes in accordance with the quarterly HACT Assurance Plans.

14. Updates the e-Tools system by creating the HACT Financial Assurance entries and updates the follow-up action points with the respective stakeholders to ensure the proactive closure of open items.

15. Backstops the functions of the other Finance Associate of the section when they are on leave or attending local/overseas field missions/training/workshops.

16. Performs other duties as required.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Completion of secondary education is required, with professional/university level qualifications in Accounting and Finance/Business administration considered as an asset.
• A minimum of six years of experience in the area of Finance and Accounting is required.

** For this position, a bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a relevant field may replace three years of related work experience. A master’s degree may replace additional two years.

• Hands-on experience in SAP financial modules is preferred.
• Hands-on experience in office software packages and web-based management systems is highly desirable.
• Prior experience in a UN system agency or organization is preferred.
• Fluency in English is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

If you think this position might be for you, please take the time to review our Country Office Mutual Agreements before you apply.

If you believe you can be a team member that can uphold these every day, then we look forward to receiving and reviewing your application.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.