Finance Officer

• Work closely with the Finance Advisor (Fiduciary) to prepare detailed annual budgets, divided into clear cost categories as in the Financing or Grant Agreements, and by major type (staffing, goods, works, non consultancy services, consultancy services, IOC etc.). The budget also needs to be divided into monthly and quarterly forecasts.
• Support the project team in implementing the approved annual budgets through timely and accurate allotments, payment and disbursement processing, and regular and ongoing budget execution monitoring.
• Advise the project team of significant delays or variations between categories in the actual execution versus planning. Revise the project budget forecasts for the remaining quarters accordingly.
• Maintain and manage the contractors’ payments and its tracker in a timely manner according to the UNOPS rules and guidelines.
• Prepare weekly and monthly financial reports for the management in agreed templates. Ensure their submission on the last working day of the reporting period.
• Prepare the draft Interim Unaudited Financial Reports (IUFRs) for the Project and submit the same to the Finance Advisor (Fiduciary) within 20 days of the end of each reporting period.
• Compile and review the IUFR inputs from the Facilitating Partners and private contractors and check for consistency with previous reports and accuracy/alignment with other available data. Highlight any errors to the Finance Advisor (Fiduciary).
• Support the project team in mid-year budget reviews and possible need for budget reallocations.
• Support the project team in fiscal-year end financial closures and reporting, and ensuring budget availability and liquidity in a timely manner for the new fiscal year.
• Work closely with the Finance Advisor (Fiduciary) in preparing for the financial management sessions in the Implementation Support Missions. Preparations include data collection, analysis, report/presentation preparations, attending and participating in these sessions as required.
• Support the project team in preparing for external and/or internal audits, in responding to audit queries/observations, helping revise procedures as needed to implement audit recommendations etc. Provide support to the project team in obtaining unqualified audit opinions on an annual basis.
• Coordinate closely with the procurement colleagues for timely allotments and payments to vendors/suppliers/contractors/service providers consultants.
• Ensure close coordination with the funding partner and the Bank on the Project grant and designated/special accounts, their opening, management and reporting.
• Ensure that all Facilitating Partners and project relevant personnel are trained on the related Financial Management Guidelines and set processes/procedures – this may require development of training materials and conducting financial management training sessions to relevant personnel and Facilitating Partners.
• Any other duty as assigned by the Finance Advisor and Finance Specialist when required.

a.  Education

• A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) in Finance, Accounting, Finance Management or other relevant field, or a is required.

• A certification in chartered accountancy is accepted in lieu of a first-level university degree.

b. Work Experience 

• A minimum of 4 years of experience in finance or accounting is required.

• Knowledge of UNOPS financial rules and regulations is an asset.

• Experience working with the UN, World Bank and/or other donor agencies, government ministries, and/or NGOs is an asset. 

• Experience with UN financial systems and/or donor-financed project FM is desirable.

• Good understanding of local fiscal policies and procedures is valued.

c.  Languages

• Fluency (oral and written) in English is required.