Finance Officer Job Vacancy – UNOPS helps its partners in the United Nations system meet the world’s needs for building peace, recovering from disaster, and creating sustainable development. UNOPS is known for its ability to implement complex projects in all types of environments around the globe. In an effort to promote organizational excellence, UNOPS seeks highly qualified individuals for the following pool:
THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR A POOL OF EXPERTS AND NOT A SPECIFIC POST
Vacancy Details
Vacancy Code: VA/2011/NAO/MAC/POE/FO/P3/17-08
Post Title: Finance Officer
Post Level: P3 (Fixed-term Appointment) / P3 (Temporary Appointment) / I-ICA 2
Org Unit: UNOPS NAO/MAC
Duty Station: VARIOUS
Duration: Length of the contract will depend on contract modality and funding availability
Closing Date: 7 September 2011
Background
The UNOPS Mine Action Cluster (MAC) within the North America Office (NAO) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. The Cluster is responsible to administer, provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations. It is headed by the Cluster Chief who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Mine Action Cluster on behalf of its clients.
One of the objectives of the MAC is to rapidly deploy mine action technical experts to post conflict areas. To accomplish this, MAC is establishing a pool of experts from which it can deploy and re-deploy personnel in order to meet the known as well as the unknown demand. This position is advertised as part of the creation of the ‘pool of experts’
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of Head of Support Services, or – in some cases – the Programme Manager, the Finance Officer will be responsible for the following:
Responsible for the day-to-day management of finances allocated to the mine action programme and for preparation of the annual budget submissions. Depending on the requirements of the programme, the finance section may be responsible for making routine payments, financial accounting, routine financial reporting and budgeting. Specific duties likely to include:
- Act as the custodian of Operational Advances and Petty cash (if required) for disbursement of funds on behalf of the Head of Support Services or Programme Manager. Plan and manages the cash flow and expenditure of the advances
- Develop and implement an effective financial management, monitoring and control system in accordance with UNOPS/UN Financial Rules and Regulations.
- Oversee preparation of payment requests in accordance with relevant SoP’s and Financial rules and Regulations.
- Oversee the preparation of requests for Operational advances Supervises finance section and personnel;
- Ensures full adherence and implementation of all UNOPS financial rules, regulations and instructions;
- Coordinate the preparation of the operating budget;
- review budget submissions and submit budgetary requirement for financial agreement and allocation of funds.
- Manages the budget provided through UNOPS and ensures that budget activities are carried out in a precise and timely manner;
- Ensures due diligence in all aspects of the disbursements, receipts and management of the financial resources including responsibility of internal control procedures, cash flow management and treasury functions in the field;
- Monitor the availability of sufficient funding to meet obligations and keep records updated;
- Monitors cash flows and availability of funds to make disbursements;
- Supports routine monitoring of budgetary resources to ensure that they are administered in line with established UNOPS financial rules and regulations; Keeps track of budget and expenditure on an ongoing basis;
- Ensures that transactions are in line with approved budgets and in accordance with the financial agreement;
- Prepares monthly reconciliations of the imprest account for submission to UNOPS HQ;
- Maintains the financial accounts; prepares financial records, statements and reports;
- Coordinates the timely and accurate submission of financial statements and reports;
- Assists in the formulation and implementation of strategies within the internal control framework of the UNOPS;
- Responds to and prepares supporting documentation and responses to issues raised; Ensures that the provisions of the financial regulations, the finance manual and finance and budget technical instructions issued by HQ are complied with throughout the programme and are supplemented locally to the extent necessary;
- Supporting the UNOPS Portfolio Manager and/or the Head of Support Services in the IPSAS implementation process;
- Be responsible for maintenance of financial systems and procedures to safeguard the appropriateness including systems and procedures in order to maintain a balance between operational expedience and financial control;
- Provides training to finance staff; Any other task as directed by Head of Support Services or the Programme Manager where applicable.
Required Selection Criteria
Competencies
Leadership – Proven supervisory ability and/or technical leadership. Ability to maintain effective working relations both as a team member and team leader.
Teamwork – Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Planning & Organization – Ability to manage, organize, plan and implement work assignments, juggle competing demands and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines.
Judgment – Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment and decision making skills.
Communications – Strong spoken and written communication skills.
Problem Solving – Strong analytical and problem solving skills and ability to handle a range of management and coordination issues.
Commitment to Continuous Learning – Willingness to keep abreast of new developments.
Technology Awareness – Solid computer skills, including proficiency in word processing and spreadsheets.
Professionalism – Professionalism: sound knowledge of, and exposure to, administrative and financial management issues.
Education/Experience/Language
Advanced University Degree or equivalent in Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics or certified Chartered Accountant or related field. A first-level university degree, in same disciplines, in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
Minimum of 5 years progressively responsible professional accounting experience with responsibility for project accounting and preparation of financial statements in a highly computerized environment; of which 2 years should have been in peacekeeping, humanitarian or development related activities;
Experience in UN financial management;
Working knowledge of Atlas or other Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) at project level;
Knowledge of UN/UNOPS rules and regulations is highly desirable;
Prior experience in Humanitarian Mine Action is an asset
Fluency in spoken and written English is a requirement, knowledge of a second UN language an advantage; Physically fit and in good health.
Submission of Applications
Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) English Version or French Version, via e-mail to naomauPoEvacancies@unops.org. Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line when applying by email.
Additional Considerations
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified. Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.
For more information on UNOPS, including its core values and competencies, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org.
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