National Finance Officer-UNOCHA-(Nationals Only)

BACKGROUND

This position is in the Humanitarian Financing Unit, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Syria in Gaziantep-Türkiye. OCHA Syria in Gaziantep coordinates the emergency response to save lives and protect people in north-west Syria. 

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Deputy Pooled Fund Manager/Head of Finance Unit in SCHF, the Humanitarian Finance officer provides the overall administration and execution of varied and inter-related operational and financial activities in one of the largest countries based pooled fund which managed over US$200 million per year over the last two years, ensuring high quality, accuracy and accountability of the work performed. The Humanitarian Finance officer promotes a client, quality, and results-oriented approach. The Humanitarian Finance Officer works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme staff in the Humanitarian Financing Unit which hosts the SCHF, other staff in other OCHA units and in other UN agencies staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.

Please note that applicants applying for UNOCHA Local Fixed Term positions is applicable for Turkish Citizen. For those who meet the recruitment qualifications in terms of education, experience, and language skills as advertised through the Job Description, should apply online and submit one application through a letter of interest accompanied by an informative but concise CV in English indicating the reference code of the post and UN Personal History Form (P11).

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply. Visit www.unocha.org for additional information on UNOCHA.

Position Purpose: 

Under the guidance of the Head of Humanitarian Financing Unit (HFU) and direct supervision of the Team Leader of the Finance Team, within the HFU, the National Finance Officer position purpose is to assist with the implementation of DRHC decisions, assisting in the process of allocating funds to Fund manager and Finance team leader and overseeing their use according to these Global Guidelines and the Syria Cross-border Humanitarian Fund Operational Manual.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Finance Team Leader (FTL) of HFU and under his day-to-day guidance the Humanitarian Financing officer is expected to perform the following tasks:

 Administration and implementation of program and operational financial services:

• Assist in preparing, analyzing, and evaluating information from the financial records and provide data to FTL for review and reporting purposes, and assist to the Finance Team Leader relevant for improvements in the financial operation to ensure cost-efficient management of the fund’s resources.
• Support and guide to implementing partners (IPs) on the finance component concerning the correct application of grant management systems during the partner assessments or profile updates, assist in performing due diligence processes, rules, or procedures of CBPF Global guidelines and SCHF Operational Manual
• Plan, assist and oversee the collection of interim and final financial reports from the SCHF partners and review for disbursements, and collect audit reports for a quality check and report serious findings concerning audit reports to head of finance.
• Maintain an up-to-date audit tracker, with key findings, auditors’ recommendations, and desired actions taken by IPs. Ensure sharing monthly briefings and key highlights related to the audit issues with FTL.
• Conduct financial spot-checks of IPs projects to assess the soundness of the internal control systems of the organization in addition to the accuracy of the financial records and programmatic achievements of the project and ensure partners take recommended actions in timely manner.
• Prepare as when needed new batch audit task orders and coordinate with FTL, audit firms, and HQ for releasing new batches for auditing purposes.

 Support the HFU Unit in the review and administration of projects:

• Participate in standard and reserved allocations during the allocation process and assist clusters, program unit, and strategic review committee in scoring project proposals, especially the partners budgets, and coordinate with partners during the budget negotiations and finalization of grants and grant agreements.
• Input/review data in GMS for new projects and monitor status. Keep stakeholders and clients informed for timely action and decisions.
• Provide information/guidance to the implementing partners on the routine implementation of projects. Keep track of the appropriate and timely use of financial resources and keep the finance team leader updated.
• Assist in the implementation of internal control mechanisms for projects through monitoring of partner’s budget.
• Prepare/Review No Cost Extensions for Partner Projects and other Revision Requests in consultation with the relevant Team Members and/or other relevant Stakeholders.
• Assist the HFU Unit by keeping systematic and readily available electronic and physical files for all projects funded by the HFU, as well as other key documentation and correspondence related to the operation of the Fund. 
• Assist/facilitate audit firms in coordinating and reviewing the project-based audit reports performed by the audit firms. Additionally, perform project related assurance activities within GMS.
• Perform other duties as required by the head of finance and HFU team.

Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing: 

• Contribute to training initiatives on financial processes by conducting partners trainings in consultation with head of the unit.
• Capture, synthesize and/or codify lessons learned and best practices in financial management and services.
• Disseminate to clients and stakeholders as appropriate to build capacity and knowledge.

COMPETENCIES:

Functional Competencies: 

Professionalism 

• Shows pride in work and in achievements.
• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter.
• Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
• Motivated by professional rather than personal concerns.
• Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges.
• Remains calm in stressful situations.

Teamwork

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.
• Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise. 
• Is willing to learn from others.
• Places team agenda before personal agenda.
• Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position.
• Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Client Orientation

• Research potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct, and appropriate fashion.
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines.
• Establishes, builds, and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients.
• Actively supports the interests of the client by making choices and setting priorities to meet their needs.
• Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly.

Qualifications:

Education:  

• Master’s degree or equivalent in social science, administration management, finance management or related studies

OR

• Bachelor`s degree with 2 additional years of relevant experience can be accepted in lieu of master’s degree.

Experience:

• Up to two (2) years’ (with Masters degree) or 2 years (with Bachelor degree) of relevant experience at the national level in finance management is required.
• A minimum of one (1) years’ experience in pool fund mechanism is desirable. 
• Experience in reviewing project budgets/audit reports/capacity assessment, conducting financial spot checks is desirable.
• Experience working in ERP (on grant management) based portal platform is desirable.

Language requirements

• Fluency in English and Turkish (written and spoken) is required. Proficiency in Arabic is desirable.

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 description, 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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