Job: Associate Portfolio Manager

Location: Copenhagen 
Deadline: Sunday, 06 October 2013 

Description

UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need. Working in some of the world's most challenging environments, our vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness.

UNOPS provides services in sustainable infrastructure, sustainable procurement and sustainable project management, with projects ranging from building schools, roads, bridges and hospitals to procuring goods and services and training local personnel.

By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground.

We employ more than 6,000 personnel annually and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of regional and country offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

Background Information - IWC

International Waters Cluster

The UNOPS International Waters Cluster specializes in executing projects to prevent and reverse the degradation of transboundary water systems, including multi-country rivers and large marine ecosystems such as oceans, lake basins and shared groundwater resources. The cluster is executing over 30 projects for its partners, helping countries to work together and share knowledge to reduce ecological stress, such as that caused by overfishing and industrial pollution.

Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS is charged with the execution of a substantial global portfolio of International Waters and other environmental projects largely funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by UNDP.

The Associate Portfolio Manager will work in close collaboration with IPSAS Finance team on matters related to finance of projects and under the guidance and direct supervision of the Senior Portfolio Manager will ensure effective execution of the below financial services and processes:

Functional Responsibilities

Finance and budget management

Project Pre-Engagement

• Prepare proposed financial budgets in line with proposed activities and schedules
• Ensure that proposed budgets include allelements of cost as prescribed by UNOPS budgetary guidelines including costsfor all such DSC, CMDC and UNOPS fees
• Convert proposed client budgets into UNOPS format.

Project set up

• Extract required financial information from UNOPS project agreements and ensure that these are appropriate to meetimplementation expectations
• In accordance with UNOPS policies, include Engagement Policyand Pricing Policy, prepare Implementation Analysis Notes and submit for legal and finance approval
• Enter new proposals into the ATLAS ERP Systemand set up necessary accounts in line with existing UNOPS financial policiesand procedures and
• Ensure all agreements and other related documents are dully signed and filed before the implementation of the project starts

Budgetary and Project Costing Support

• Gather information for budget revisions,maintain budget information up-dated, verify and input approved budgets intoAtlas and keep the Atlas Grants module up-dated
• Prepare budget revisions in line with actually incurred expenditures and in consultation with UNOPS Clients, and Project Managers in the field
• Monitor actually incurred expenditures along with authorized budgeted costs, realign budgets if necessary/required andundertake expenditure adjustments through the preparation of General Ledger JournalEntries (GLJE) as required
• Proactively engage with Portfolio Managers and Project Managers about possible shortages of funding based on actually incurred and projected costs
• Assist the IWC Senior Portfolio Manager in setting up and monitoring performance of the Administrative Budget
• Train Project Managers and field support staff in budget management and expenditure monitoring and oversee the performance
• Keep Portfolio Managers and Project Managers in the field informed about project costs
• Assist in preparation of financial reports (FMRs) in line with client requirements as agreed upon in project agreements
• Provide ad hoc financial information to clients and Projects about delivery/expenditures in format required by clients
• Answer Finance-related queries from Portfolio Managers and Project Managers in the field
• Communicate with colleagues/clients on areas requiring verification, corrections, additional information, etc. to improve quality of output and/or account submission and increase knowledge base in the process
• Verify UNOPS reports (PDRS) against UNDP reports (CDRs), prepare finance analysis in case reconciliation is needed
• To perform all above stated tasks use all available finance tools and reports such as Atlas ERP based reports and queries, UNOPS Management Workspace and UNOPS Finance Reporting Tool

Project Closure

• Ensure that completed projects are closed in accordance with UNOPS rules and regulations
• Verify that expenditure recorded in the UNOPSbooks matches with expenditure recorded by clients in order to enable an orderlyFinancial Closure of projects
• Analyze UNOPS and client reports, investigateand prepare adjustments if required
• Prepare final budget revisions
• Closely liaising with clients to ensure theirsatisfaction regarding the financial aspects of the project

General financial tasks:

• Administrate and monitor all aspects of project implementation including financial, budgetary and administration
• Draft for clearance by the Senior Portfolio manager, authorizations to Country Offices to undertake project-related activities and incur expenditures and/or increase funds as necessary
• Maintain appropriate records and processes cancellation of unliquidated obligations at year end
• Initiate ATLAS actions where appropriate, and forward directly to the Approving or Certifying Officer
• Respond to incoming calls and to the extent possible, answer questions directly from the COs, Bureaus, consultants,companies etc. regarding various project matters
• Establish and maintain working files for projects
• Use computer packages for the preparation of correspondence, reports, charts, graphics, tables, etc.
• Act as Alternate Associate Portfolio Managerand process payments, prepare vouchers and ensure completeness of supporting documentation, accuracy and correctness of accounts codes charges and input transactions in the computerized accounting and finance system
• Review and release payments for InternationalWaters Cluster
• Perform other related duties as required

Project Management

• Act as focal point for a cluster ofInternational Waters Projects as assigned with more in-depth involvement in all management areas and support the Senior Portfolio Manager to ensure efficient and effective implementation of these projects.

Competencies

• In addition to UN/UNOPS corevalues/competencies, diligence, attention to critical details, keen sense of work priorities and resourcefulness in obtaining and researching important information
• Precision and neatness in submitting work completed
• Good numerical skills and adept use of Excel
• Excellent organizational skills and
• Good drafting skills in English

Education/Experience/Language requirements

• Secondary education and 3 years of work experience in financial management administrative and procurement services, standard office ICT technology and software packages required
• First degree preferred in the following: international affairs, business administration, social sciences, economics orother field relevant practices is an asset
• Knowledge of PeopleSoft/Atlas an asset
• Fluency in oral and written English required, knowledge of Spanish an asset

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local ICA Contract level: LICA 3 Contract duration: 1 year For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: http://www.unops.org/ENGLISH/WHOWENEED/CONTRACT-TYPES/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements-ICAs.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• 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.
• For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

More Info and Application