Job Description

The Position:
The Finance Associate ensures the effective functioning of financial operations and systems in support of the programme and office management. The position works closely with programmes and project staff providing financial monitoring and analysis of projects and advising managers on expenditure trends and implementation rates. The position delivers effective financial advice and services to internal and external clients, providing finance related guidance to both Country Office (CO) and UNFPA supported projects. 

The position will be under the general guidance of the International Operations Manager and direct supervision of the Finance Analyst and will work closely with the Country Office Programme and Operations staff with support from the Management Team.

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:
You will support the effective management of UNFPA programme activities in the areas of population and development, reproductive health and gender.

 Possessing a depth of knowledge of UNFPA financial rules, guidelines, and processes, you will demonstrate a client-oriented, results-focused approach to interpreting rules, procedures and guidelines. You will act in an advisory manner to programme / project staff to maximize the impact of financial resources in delivering programmes / projects. 

The Finance Associate is expected to maintain collaborative relationships with all technical staff (Programme Officers and project staff) as well as government counterparts.

You would be responsible for: 

A) Monitoring and performance

• Provide coordination and monitoring support of programme financial performance for all core and non-core resources by providing necessary financial information and analysis, including implementation rate against indicators/results. Detects potential over/under expenditure problems and suggests remedial action.
• Develop tools and mechanisms for effective and efficient monitoring of programme and project budgets, coordinates compilation of financial data and provides accurate and up-dated financial information to Operations Manager on a continuous basis.
• Provide technical support for the monitoring of programme financial performance, by providing necessary financial information and analysis, including implementation rate against indicators/results; detecting potential over/under expenditure problems and proposing remedial action.
• Identify ways in which programme financial needs can be met within existing policies, regulations and procedures.
• Review and monitor charges for common services and cost recovery, taking into account maximum cost efficiency; representing UNFPA’s interests in financial negotiations and agreements.

B) Budgets, financial recording and reporting 

• Assists with technical inputs in the management of the Country Office budget by budget formulation, controlling allotments, monitoring expenditures, and preparing revisions according to the needs of the office.
• Ensure that an effective financial recording and reporting system, internal control and audit follow-up and processes of financial transactions in an accurate and timely way, for all NEX projects. 
• Examine thoroughly all quarterly reports to/from UNFPA/projects and reconciles outstanding issues or advances, and conducts onsite inspection of project books of accounts and assets, including project performance (value for money analysis). 
• Ensure that projects have all the necessary financial and programme manuals for ease of reference and use (project management, implementation modalities, monitoring and evaluation, documenting and reporting, and information/knowledge sharing).Maintain an effective financial recording and reporting system, internal control and audit follow-up; and processing financial transactions in an accurate and timely way. 
• Financial Operations and Performance 
• Facilitate financial operations between NEX projects and the UNFPA country office, advising on budgetary and accounting requirements, ensuring that proper books of project accounts and accurate ledgers are maintained by the NEX projects, 
• Provide technical assistance with the preparation of quarterly requisitions and retirements, including ensuring that the requisition and the retirements have all acquired supporting documentation, and shadow databases for all the NEX projects. 
• Liaise with the Operations Manager on audit and personnel matters related to NEX project accounts 
• Interpret financial policies and procedures and provide training and guidance to staff and project managers.

Qualifications and Experience: 
Education:  

• Completion of High School Secondary Level Certificate/Diploma is required. 
• First level university degree in Finance/Accounting, Business Administration or similar discipline is highly desired.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Minimum of six years of relevant work experience in the public, multilateral or private sector level. 
• Relevant knowledge in finance administration of resources is required. 
• Knowledge of UNFPA Financial rules and regulations, understanding of the UN common system in particular, especially UNFPA mandate, its policies and operations will be highly desirable.
• Experience working with spreadsheet and database packages is an asset 
• Experience in working in a team and leading team projects is highly desirable.
• Experience in applying financial principles and practices is an asset

Skills: 

• Good organizational skills, discretion, sound judgment, initiative, ability to set priorities and work independently and under pressure.
• Good interpersonal and communication, analytical, oral and reporting writing skills. 
• Ability to work under minimum supervision and against tight deadlines.
• High level of confidentiality, tact and discretion. 
• Proficiency in the usage of current office software applications, web-based management and ERP financial systems.

Languages: 

• Fluency in English is required with excellent oral, written communication, editing and communication skills. 
• Working knowledge of other local languages is desirable.

Required Competencies: 
Core Competencies: 

• Being accountable 
• Values/Guiding Principles. 
• Performance management 
• Developing People/Fostering Innovation and Empowerment 
• Working in teams 
• Communicating information and ideas/Knowledge Sharing 
• Self-management/Emotional intelligence and Conflict management / Negotiating and resolving disagreements
• Appropriate and transparent decision making 
• Analytical and Strategic Thinking / Results Orientation/Commitment to Excellence

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:

• Business acumen
• Innovation and marketing of new approaches
• Client orientation
• Organizational awareness
• Job knowledge/Technical expertise

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

Disclaimer:
Disclaimer: UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm. In accordance with the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, 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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