Finance Analyst-UNOCHA-(Nationals Only)

This position is open to Sudan Nationals Only

BACKGROUND

OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies.

OCHA’s mission is to:

• Mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies.
• Advocate the rights of people in need
• Promote preparedness and prevention
• Facilitate sustainable solutions.

Four divisions comprise OCHA-Sudan, one of which is the Financing and Partnership Section (FPS). It is in charge of coordinating all humanitarian financing in Sudan through the Country Based Pooled Funds (CBPF) and the, Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), together known as the Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF).

The FPS team works in four main areas:

(a) Managing the day-to-day CBPF  allocation process in support of the HC, including to ensure transparency, inclusiveness and accountability with humanitarian partners in the selection and recommendation of funding priorities to the HC. 

(b) Providing secretariat services to the CBPF Advisory Group and Working Group in support of the HC.

(c) Donor relations and resources mobilization with CBPF and bilateral donors to strengthen humanitarian financing across Sudan.

(d) Support to humanitarian partners in formulating CERF requests and liaison with OCHA CERF HQ in New York.

The SHF was established in Sudan in 2006 and allocates about US$ 40 to 80 million annually to humanitarian projects across the country. It was established to support the timely allocation and disbursement of donor resources to the most critical humanitarian needs in Sudan under the direction the Humanitarian Coordinator. It ensures the provision of more predictable, timely, and effective assistance and strengthens humanitarian leadership and coordination. The SHF is also in line with the principles of Good Humanitarian Donorship including flexibility, timeliness, and needs-based approach.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

1.           Ensure administration and implementation of operational strategies, adapt processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results

• Full compliance with UN/UNOCHA rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations; implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system.
• Provide support in maintaining complete and updated cash flows for the Fund.
• Support IP regarding compliance with the UNFRR and the Guidelines for CBPF.
• Stay up to date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme and/or OCHA budgets, ensuring compliance with United Nations policies and procedures.
• Prepare financial analysis for standard and ad-hoc reporting requirements.
• Provide input for the preparation of CBPF Annual Reports.
• Ensure timely financial reporting in compliance with donors’ requirements.
• Liaise with relevant OCHA sections at HQ.
• Perform other related duties, as assigned.

2.           Ensure proper portfolio management in adherence with SHF procedures and protocol

• Review and advise on the clearance of the project budgets.
• Review and advise on budget amendments or no-cost extension requests
• Review grant agreements and supporting documents to ensure accuracy, consistency reasonableness, and compliance with the UNFRR and the Country-based Pooled Funds (CBPF) Guidelines
• Maintain a complete, accurate, and updated detailed list of disbursements to Implementing Partners
• Regular follow-up with IP to obtain financial reports.
• Review of interim and final financial reports and confirm the amount for additional disbursements.
• Initiate the process to ensure disbursements as required and follow up on any reimbursements.

3.           Provide management support for SHF partner assurance, risk management, and monitoring processes:

• Liaise with companies carrying out financial audits of partners and financial spot-checks ensuring compliance with the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules (UNFRR);
• Provide support in the audit process – including facilitation of the contracting of external auditing companies, supporting the planning, advise on the clearance of audit reports and ensuring follow-up of critical audit findings.
• Review draft audit report to make sure that it is in line with the signed agreement and project budget
• Conduct financial spot-checks in line with the operational modalities.
• Conduct capacity assessment of partners who passed the first step of the Eligibility process (Due Diligence) to gauge their capacity and assign them with an appropriate risk profile backed up by a comprehensive report based on a review of partner’s systems, practices, and documentation.

4.           Facilitation of knowledge-building and knowledge sharing

• Provide financial training to the Implementing partners.
• Provide technical support for IPs required assistance on GMS-related issues
• Conduct partner sensitization on SHF procedures and guidelines for accessing grants, working with the Grant Management System (GMS) and the Guidelines for Country-Based Pooled Funds (CBPF) through participation in meetings and workshops.

5.           Contracting management and other activities

• Ensure the grant Agreement/amendment is processed on time and signed by relevant signatories.
• Any other tasks as assigned by the Supervisor

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of different aspects of humanitarian response, public information and communication. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions. Ability to conceptualize, design and implement major information campaigns. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
• Planning & Organizing: Develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently
• Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

• Humanitarian Sectors/Clusters
• UN Agencies
• International and national NGOs;
• Government entities and authorities at different levels.

Qualifications:

Education:  

• An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, or related field is required.

OR 

• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years with a Master’s degree or 4 years with a Bachelor’s degree of relevant experience in finance and accounting/administration, crisis/emergency program management or other related area, preferably with at least two years with a UN organization or an NGO.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills are required.
• Experience with project budgeting and proposal writing is required.
• Experience with auditing and/or financial spot-checking of partners is desirable.
• Experience and knowledge of accounting systems, procurement, and human resources management are desirable.

Language requirements

• Fluency in English and Arabic

Note:

• “Please upload copies of your academic qualifications and 3 latest Performance Evaluations (if applicable)”

Applicant information about rosters

UNOCHA reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNOCHA at the same grade level and with similar job descriptions, experience, and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

• UNOCHA has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
• UNOCHA  is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status.

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