JOB DESCRIPTION

Background Information – Job-specific

Cities Alliance, which is hosted by UNOPS, is a global partnership promoting the role of cities in poverty reduction and sustainable development. Managed by a Secretariat based in Brussels, Bangkok and Nairobi, it is a unique partnership with a diverse membership which has come together to strengthen both impacts and coherence in urban development. Cities Alliance is a global leader with a strong track record in grant-making, which supports strategic city planning, slum upgrading strategies and national policies designed to make cities more inclusive and sustainable. Through UNOPS, the Cities Alliance operates a Multi-Donor Fund supported by an efficient, flexible grant-making mechanism with global reach.

Cities Alliance provides financial and technical assistance to local city stakeholders in low-income countries to identify and implement approaches for improved local migration management that are relevant to each city’s context. As migration and displacement in developing countries are characterized by informality, Cities Alliance builds partnerships among various constituencies at the local, national, and global levels to jointly identify and negotiate a better way forward. Sustainable urban planning instruments, such as urban expansion planning, are at the forefront of Cities Alliance’s work to provide equitable access to a city for all.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Finance, the Finance Associate will provide essential support to the finance team in ensuring the accurate and efficient financial management of Cities Alliance projects and grants. This role involves a variety of tasks related to day-to-day financial operations, project accounting, and donor reporting.

Project Finance Support:

Develop and monitor project budgets, ensuring alignment with project plans and available funding, and providing regular variance analysis.

Prepare accurate and timely project financial reports, including expenditure tracking, forecasting, and donor-specific reporting, in compliance with relevant regulations and accounting standards.

Support project audits and expenditure verifications by proactively gathering and organizing documentation and providing clear explanations and information to internal and external auditors and verifiers.

Implementing Partner Support:

Support the capacity assessment of Implementing Partners.

Review interim and final financial reports submitted by Implementing Partners.

Support Implementing Partner spot checks by performing periodic on-site or remote reviews of Implementing Partners’ financial records and procedures to assess adherence to contractual agreements, established financial guidelines, and sound internal controls, identifying potential risks and recommending corrective actions.

Quarterly Closure Support:

Conduct recurring reviews of project account transactions, verifying accuracy, completeness, and adherence to relevant policies, procedures, and donor requirements.

Coordinate the termination or extension of purchase orders with expired or soon-to-expire delivery dates.

Review and clear outstanding balances related to receipt accruals, exchange rate fluctuations, and local currency differences.

Reconcile and confirm balances for VAT, receivables, petty cash, operational advances, prepayments, and prepaid expenses.

Petty Cash Management:

Establish and maintain petty cash accounts.

Process replenishment requests and ensure adequate documentation.

Close out petty cash accounts as required.

Operational Advance Management:

Establish operational advances for staff travel and other operating expenses.

Manage replenishments for recurring operational advances.

Ensure timely settlement and closure of advances.

Retainer Payments:

Ensure quarterly accrual of retainer payments in coordination with the focal person in the Operations team.

Cost Recovery:

Prepare and post quarterly cost recovery from projects.

Annual Work Planning:

Support the preparation and consolidation of Cities Alliance Annual Work Plans and budgets.

Donor Reporting:

Maintain and monitor the donor reporting tracking tool to ensure timely submission of reports.

Project and Grant Closure:

Support the financial closeout of projects and grants, ensuring all necessary documentation is complete and accurate.

Other:

Handle other ad-hoc tasks assigned by the supervisor related to the financial management of projects and grants.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

Completion of secondary school is required.
A university degree (Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree) preferably in one of the following disciplines:accounting, finance, economics and/or related areas is desirable and will substitute some years of experience required. Experience

A minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in administrative management, finance or accounting, preferably with the United Nations, in an international NGO or non-profit organization is required.
Good understanding of bookkeeping, accounting principles and financial management practices is required
Familiarity with Donor and Implementing Partner financial reporting is an asset.
Proficiency in accounting software or ERP systems is an asset.
Proficiency in Google Workspace, particularly Google Sheets/Docs is an asset.
Working knowledge of Google AppScript is an asset Language

Fluency in English is required.
Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Competencies

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.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local ICA
Contract level: ICS6 / LICA6
Contract duration: Open-ended subject to performance and availability of funds.

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

Additional Information

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.

 

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements