Finance Associate

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Description

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Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, the UNOPS Integrated Practice Advice and Support (IPAS) serves all the regions and headquarters, primarily with advice and solutions to everyday implementation challenges. IPAS consists of a diverse team of subject matter experts in the six practice areas of HR, Administration, Legal, Finance, Procurement, Project Management and Infrastructure. IPAS has three main roles: 
Support to operations in the field offices: IPAS provides timely advice and supports actively finding solutions to everyday implementation challenges, based on policy and best practices. It also provides operational support in specific areas. 
Business efficiency: IPAS recommends changes to policies, processes and operating standards based on the feedback and experience of the field offices. IPAS also ensures transparent and efficient project implementation, in line with policy and business needs. 
Body of knowledge: IPAS contributes to research and coordination within the policy groups and project practitioners. It provides structured knowledge and subject matter expertise which is used across practice areas to provide coherent and tailored advice to the requesting offices. 

Functional Responsibilities

Financial Accounting:

• Monitor the key risk areas on the General Ledger (GL) accounts under responsibility to reduce the financial loss of the organization
• Actively contribute in the monthly, quarterly and year-end books closure activities, incl. the validation of the required Field Offices submissions and confirmations
• Analyze GL accounts and prepare necessary adjusting entries (accruals, FOREX,…)
• Prepare and review GL account reconciliations, identify the discrepancies and follow-up with the respective units
• Respond to Field Offices queries related to GL accounts under responsibility and work closely with the Bangkok Shared Services Center and the HQ Finance Group to allow smooth-running collective solving as needed
• Perform checks and reviews related to specific areas under the team’s responsibility (Review of Construction Contracts Retention amounts, financial control of the staff members separation process and related records, treasury accounting on investments, …) 

Financial Reporting: 

• Assist in the implementation of the reporting systems and reports to improve the monitoring process
• Prepare periodic reports for the key risk areas
• Support reporting for treasury related transactions and liaise with reporting and system support/development team on the system improvements
• Support the Data analytics team to improve the processes related to the team 
• Prepare recurring reports for period closure activities and special report as required
• Assist field offices with Financial reporting and analysis

Audit:

• Assist the internal/external audit inquiries and responds
• Assist in the preparation of ad-hoc reports as requested by internal/external auditors 
• Assists the self audits and quality assurance activities as required 
• Coordinate collection of audit samples and requirements during internal/external audit exercise(s) as required
• Support the implementation of audit recommendations as may be required

Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing:

• Assist in preparation of notes, guidelines, procedures while ensuring compliance with IPSAS 
• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for personnel on finance-related topics
• Include knowledge building inputs in the communications with Field Offices (answers to queries, follow-up on post-books closure findings)
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice synthesizing of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in the finance area 

Education/Experience/Language requirements:

Education Requirements: 

• High school diploma / secondary education is required; 
• Higher degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s) in Finance, Accounting, or other finance-related field is considered an asset and can be a substitute for some years of relevant working experience but is not a requirement. 
• Relevant certification in financial management or accounting is an added advantage.

Experience Requirements: 

• Minimum 6 years of relevant finance & accounting experience is required at the national or international level (if in possession of secondary / high school diploma). 
• Within these 6 years, a minimum 2 years of experience in reconciling transactions on a monthly basis is required. 
• Knowledge of international accounting standards, IPSAS or IFRS, is required.
• Experience in project accounting or management accounting is an asset.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Office, Google applications and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages) and in handling web-based management systems is required.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and oral English required. 
• Knowledge of a second UN language (preferably French or Spanish) is an asset.

Source: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=27686#3

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