Finance Senior Assistant

Contract

This is a LICA-5 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 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA-5 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 Senior Assistant 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 Senior Assistant will provide financial and administrative assistance, ensuring high quality, accuracy, and effective execution of financial services and processes and transparent utilization of financial resources. S/he will promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS financial rules and regulations.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions: 1. Accounting and administrative support 2. Office Cash management 3. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

**Accounting and administrative support:

Provides accounting, payments, support, focusing on achievement of following results:**

• Review of payment requests for completeness prior to processing to ensure that documentation is complete and all information concerning the payment has been supplied; proper accounting codes used; certification of services rendered/goods delivered is written on the payment document and duly signed by authorized officials; payment to subcontractors are in compliance with terms and conditions of agreement.
• Proper control of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports for projects; preparation of vouchers for projects; PO vouchers; Pay Cycle and payment execution.
• Proper receipting of goods and services and establishment of accruals.
• Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Enterprise system; travel claims, MPOs and other entitlements are duly processed
• Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.
• Review and confirmation of validity of charges by verifying authorized amounts and ensuring availability of budget and funds
• Presentation of information on the status of financial resources as required.
• Maintenance of the Accounts Receivables for projects and recording of deposits in the Enterprise system.
• Preparation of accounts-payable and PO vouchers for management projects.
• Support in running of remittance cycle and Creation of Remittance Advices to be sent to the bank

Office cash management, focusing on achievement of the following results: - Maintenance and control of petty cash funds and preparation of reports for replenishment. - Alternate to 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. - Timely and accurate preparation of bank reconciliations.

Knowledge building and knowledge sharing****: - Support the organization and delivery of 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 finance management support services - Contribute feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.

Impact of Results

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Finance Senior Assistant 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 three (3) years of experience may be accepted.

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

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

Certification:

CPA /ACCA certification is desirable

Experience

B. Work Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience within finance or accounting 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-5 / ICS 5
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.