Finance Associate - Tenders Global

Finance Associate

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

tendersglobal.net

JOB DESCRIPTION

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 5,000 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 – IPAS

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.

The selected candidate will be working in the Corporate Financial Reporting Support team as part of IPAS Finance.

Role of the Finance Associate

The incumbent will be working in a team of five people, under the guidance and direct supervision of the Finance Specialist, Team Lead. The team’s role is to deliver Corporate Financial Reporting services for UNOPS and for which the incumbent will keep a balance between operational implementation efficiencies and policy/rules requirements.

He/she will also contribute towards innovative solutions by channeling practical recommendations for improvements in policies and processes.

Summary of Key Functions:

The incumbent will be responsible for providing transactional support and services while performing duties and responsibilities in the following areas:

1. Financial Accounting
2. Financial Reporting
3. Audit
4. Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing
5. Other: assist in any ad hoc request received

 

 

1. 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, …)
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. Other: assist in any ad hoc request received

 

 

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.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
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.

 

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.

 

 

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement – ICA
Contract level: Local ICA6 – ICS6
Contract duration: 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

 

 

  • Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
  • Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
  • UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
  • Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
  • We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

  • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
  • For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
  • All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
  • It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

 


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