Finance Specialist – P3

The Position:

The Finance Specialist position is part of the Finance Branch (FB) of the Division for Management Services (DMS). The Finance Branch is responsible for global finance and accounting including providing guidance and oversight for financial management to country, regional and headquarters offices. The Branch advances and owns key financial policies and processes, statutory and donor reporting, treasury services, and ensuring the ERP and related systems are configured to implement, manage, and report on key financial processes. The incumbent of this position will supervise the staff and activities of the Revenue and Donor Reporting Unit (RDRU) and work in close collaboration with other units of the Finance Branch as well as providing guidance and support to country and regional offices, and payment services to headquarters units.  The position reports to the Head, Revenue and Donor Reporting Unit, Accounts.

 

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

 

Job Purpose:

Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Revenue and Donor Reporting Unit (RDRU), the Finance Specialist supports the operationalization and continuous improvement of the UNFPA Policy and Procedures on Revenue Management. This includes preparation of financial reports to external and governing bodies, external parties and donors and provision of accounting, monitoring and support services to FOs and HQ units. The Finance Specialist coordinates closely its activities with the Resource Mobilization Branch (RMB)  on operational aspects of revenue management, including the submissions of certified reports.

 

You would be responsible for: 

1. Planning and Management

• Propose activities and priorities of the RDRU for areas under the purview of the position based on branch priorities for incorporation into the branch workplan and in line with the UNFPA Strategic Plan.
• Report progress of activities under RDRU accountability in the Results and Resources Planning and reporting system and branch workplan;
• Actively contribute to the broader Finance Branch Team.
• Supervise team members, including performance management, career progression and professional growth of team members by fostering a positive and inclusive work environment that values diversity, creativity, and continuous learning.
• Engage in ongoing dialogue with supervisees and other members of the unit to enhance individual and team performance.

2. Partnerships, Knowledge management, Communication and Training

• Maintain active and positive relationships with key partners for the Finance branch, including the operations community, the Resource Mobilization Branch, and UNDP as an outsourced partner providing treasury services.
• Represent the Finance Branch at the working level in revenue and related finance  processes.
• Perform the knowledge leader for key revenue and financial management processes, including ERP functionalities.
• Draft SOPs to document the knowledge within the unit and ensure cross unit understanding of key RDRU responsibilities and processes
• Draft and deliver training and support clinics on financial processes under the unit’s responsibility, including preparation of training materials, and guidance notes.

3. Financial management services 

• Monitor and provide advisory services on the financial performance of major donor portfolios.
• Monitor and track pre-financing and utilization of funds including reconciliation ensuring timely allocation and recovery of funds.
• Provide support and guidance to Country Offices on the different UNFPA pre-financing mechanisms.
• Monitor the Global Service Desk (GSD) to ensure timely and effective resolution of Revenue related inquiries and issues.
• Manage and approve monthly interfund prepayment activities, ensuring accurate and timely processing of funds to UNDP including coordination with other Finance Branch Unit  ensuring accuracy and optimisation of funding.
• Engage in identifying and designing business process improvements for efficiency and effectiveness for the unit, utilizing technology to the extent possible.

4. Donor reporting management

• Coordinate and review the financial reporting processes across the unit, including preparation and  reconciliation of reports to donors and other stakeholders.
• Ensure completeness, accuracy and timeliness of financial reports in compliance with established standards and regulatory requirements.
• Provide support and guidance to the Revenue unit support staff on reporting requirements and best practices.
• Collaborate with other units to streamline reporting processes and enhance efficiency.

5. Quarterly and year-end closure activities 

• Lead the year-end exercise for clearing of deficit fund balances and outstanding items under the co-financing fund codes.
• Prepare the reconciliation of financial data between the revenue contracts sub-module and the general ledger focusing on income and receivables for co-financing agreements.
• Regularly review the reconciliation and aging analysis for assigned revenue and balance sheet accounts as well as designated fund codes, with timely actions taken on aged and potentially inaccurate balances, or expired agreements.
• Prepare reconciliations and schedules required for statutory annual reports, and propose improvements or automations of the reporting process.

Other

• Carry out any other duties as may be required by your supervisor and/or UNFPA leadership.

 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Advanced university degree in Business Administration, Finance or Accounting or equivalent.  A first level university degree combined with a professional accounting designation (CPA, CA) may be acceptable in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Five (5) years progressively responsible experience in managing financial processes, accounting and reporting, with a strong emphasis on revenue, receivables, and donor reporting.
• Experience in using a major Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system (preferably Oracle), in Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, General Ledger and financial reporting.
• Demonstrated experience in organizing a unit’s activities, managing detailed oriented activities with a focus on implementing activities to completion on a timely basis.
• Experience of supervision of staff and positive engagement and relationship management with business partners and clients.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including in data analytics and spreadsheet tools.
• Understanding of the UN common system in particular the United Nations Sustainable Development Group and UN Development Coordination Office is desirable.

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required; knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably French and/or Spanish, is desirable. 

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity,
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
• Embracing cultural diversity,
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Functional Competencies:

• Managing the organization’s financial resources,
• Managing teams for performance,
• Transaction services

Managerial Competencies:

• Providing strategic focus,
• Engaging internal and external partners and stakeholders,
• Leading, developing, and empowering people/creating a culture of performance,
• Making decisions and exercising judgment

Compensation and Benefits: 

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.

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