Finance Officer

Volunteering Admin Finance & Economy

Overview

Ensure effective financial services execution and transparent utilization of resources.

You have:

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).
• Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
• Experience in travel management.
• Knowledge of Quantum or IFRS is advantageous.
• Prior experience on VAT and asset management.
• Experience in handling web-based management systems and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and financials would be an added advantage.

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.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Finance specialist, the Finance officer ensures effective execution of financial services and processes in the Country Office and transparent utilization of financial resources. The Finance Associate promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The Finance officer may supervise clerical and support staff of the Finance Unit. The Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme, and projects’ staff in the CO and with UNDP HQ and GSSC staff to exchange information and resolve finance-related issues.

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

The Finance Officer is expected to closely work with the team finance unit within UNDP as well as with relevant operation units. He/she is expected to ensure the provision of high-quality support for the overall financial management activities.

Specific Roles and Responsibilities

I.    Support administration and implementation of operational strategies and adapt processes and procedures.
 •    Ensure CO financial processes, financial records and reports, and audit follow-up comply with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP). 
    Implement effective internal control framework.
 •    Support office management in preparing and reviewing CO finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal standard operating 
    procedures in finance in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management.
•    Provide input for implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies in consultation with the office management.
•    Maintain financing and trust fund agreements, follow up on contributions with the respective project teams (the project team should be contacting the donor) within the 
    CO resource mobilization efforts. 
•    Routinely monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities and/or transactions; and investigate anomalies or unusual transactions. Inform senior CO 
    management and other UNDP staff at Headquarters of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.

ii. Support administration of budgets of CO management projects, clearance of budgets for development projects, and functioning of an optimal cost-recovery system.

 •    Provide researched information for planning and status of financial resources of the CO.
 •    Assist in the preparation of required budget revisions (ensuring multiyear budget revision) within the unit at required period and timely securing of ASLs; and ensure 
    detailed record keeping of funds released for projects as well as monthly ASL reporting for non-core/ GEF projects. 
 •    Prepare timely cost-recovery/DPC bills in ERP for the services provided by UNDP, implement the revenue tracking system, and follow up on cost recovery.

iii. Provide accounting and administrative support to the Finance unit

 •    Support proper control of the supporting documents for payments invoices and proper document management including systematic archiving. 
 •    Prepare financial reports for projects and management funds/budget balance; and prepare all types of invoices.
 •    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.
 •    Coordinate and review allocated General Ledger and sub-ledger accounts and support timely project closure.
 •    Take timely corrective actions on erroneous data in ERP and on unposted invoices, including the invoices with validation errors, match exceptions, and/or unapproved 
     invoices.  Prepare financial reports as required. Provide timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues. 
 •    Maintain the Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects and follow-up with partners on contributions. 
 •    Ensure timely recording, reconciliation, and submission of VAT claims with relevant TAX authority and following up on VAT reimbursements.
 •    Ensure timely recording, reconciliation, and submission of PPE to GSSC and working with GSSC assist team.

iv. Ensure proper CO cash and Treasury management functioning.

 •    As required 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. 

v.    Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO.

 •    Assist in organizing training for the operations/ projects staff on finance, audit and compliance matters, and implementation of Internal Control Framework (ICF).
 •    Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in financial management.
 •    Provide sound 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

 •    Achieve Results 
 •    Think Innovatively 
 •    Learn Continuously 
 •    Adapt with Agility 
 •    Act with Determination
 •    Engage and Partner
 •    Enable Diversity and Inclusion 
 •    Professionalism


 •    Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).
 •    Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages
 •    Experience in travel management.
 •    Knowledge of Quantum /or IFRS is advantageous.
 •    Prior experience on VAT and asset management 
 •    experience in handling web-based management systems and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and financials would be an added advantage.

Living in Ethiopia provides an exciting experience of embracing a multicultural and diverse way of living in various ways. The people are very friendly. There are many expats working in Ethiopia, both in Addis Ababa and many other towns in the throughout the country. There are very good quality international standard hotels, restaurants, Café’s, supermarkets, snacks, and other social services. Addis Ababa, as capital city of the country, has very good quality health and pharmaceutical services. Ethiopia’s healthcare system is in a state of development, although things are gradually improving. Conditions are better in the cities, where access to doctors and hospitals is easier. Ethiopia has a fairly well-developed transport infrastructure. Ethiopia has got a world-class airlines, being the top rated in Africa. International flights depart from and arrive at the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. There are several international schools in Addis Ababa, where children of expat staff are comfortably attending. Thus, schooling is generally of a good standard, so you can settle down with your family There is relatively good supply of water and electricity in the capital Addis Ababa, with some intermittent power cut-off. Addis Ababa also sees better access to internet connectivity compared to the rest of the country.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.”

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 11 months ago - Source: unv.org