Job: Finance Specialist

Location: Amman, Jordan 
Deadline: Thursday, 24 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 - Iraq

Iraq The Operational Hub is based in Amman, Jordan with sub-offices in Baghdad and Erbil in Iraq. The office currently provides management and support services for projects in Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen in the humanitarian and development fields. Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Sub-Regional Operational Hub Director and Representative and direct supervision of the Head of Support Services, the Finance Specialist is responsible for efficient financial resources management and the provision of accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial information, effective delivery offinancial services, transparent utilization of financial resources and management of the Operational Hub Finance Unit. He/she analyzes and interprets the financial rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues. The Finance Specialist promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations.

The Finance Specialist supervises and leads support staff of the Finance Unit and works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations, and project teams in the Operational Hub, UNOPS HQ staff and Government officials ensuring successful delivery of financial services.

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

Summary of Key Functions

• Effective and accurate financial resources management and oversight;
• Implementation of operational strategies and procedures;
• Timely budget preparation and effective monitoring and control including project budgets management and organization of an optimal cost-recovery system;
• Operational Hub cash management and treasury;
• Control of Operational Hub accounts and payments;
• Facilitation of knowledge building and sharing.
• Ensure support to Business Development initiatives

Ensure effective and accurate financial resources management and oversight, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Elaboration of proposals for planning of financial resources of the Operational Hub, continuous analysis and monitoring of the financial situation and presentation of forecasts for development and management projects; provision of high-quality professional advice to the Operational Hub management;
• Proper planning, expenditure tracking and audit of financial resources, in accordance with UNOPS financial rules and regulations;
• Organization and oversight of Operational Hub cash management processes, including liquidity management, recommendation of imprest level, risk assessment, bank relationship management, timely accounting and reconciliation of all transactions, security for cash assets on site;
• Monitoring of financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions and investigation of anomalies or unusual transactions. Provision of information to supervisors and other UNOPS staff at HQ on the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained;
• Identification of problems in financial and administrative areas, suggesting alternative solutions to resolve issues in compliance with broader UNOPS policies, rules and procedures.

Ensure implementation of operational strategies and procedures, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and audit follow up with UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies; implementation of effective internal control, proper design and functioning of the financial resources management system;
• Elaboration/establishment of internal standard operating procedures and control of the workflows in the Finance Unit;
• Elaboration and implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies (including introduction and development of e-banking);
• Up-to-date on policy developments on UNOPS financial management issues.

Ensures timely budget preparation and effective monitoring and control including project budgets management and organization of an optimal cost-recovery system; focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Coordination of the preparation of the field operating budget; review of budget submissions, regular analysis and reporting on the budget approvals and the delivery situation; monitoring of expenditures against budget allotments and reporting on variances;
• Coordination with the Portfolio Specialist to ensure compliance with UNOPS financial rules and regulations, financial policies and procedures and that project budgets and revisions are prepared in accordance with established procedures and budgetary guidelines of the funding agency; ensure that project budget rephasings are processed accurately and in a timely manner;
• Identification of administrative budgetary requirements; provision of guidance on guidelines for budget preparation, the format to be used in reflecting budget proposals and the procedures for submission to facilitate consolidation at the global level;
• Review, analysis and revision of data with respect to the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements submitted by project managers; review of budget proposals for reasonableness, consistency with the organizational goals and priorities;
• Monitoring and advice the Operational hub Manager on the financial status of projects and programmes (including pending and approved budgets; contributions confirmed but not yet available for expenditure; contributions available for expenditure and contributions already expended);
• Monitoring of budget implementation, expenditure levels against allotments and determination/recommendation of reallocation of funds when necessary;
• Status of budgetary allocations monitored on an ongoing basis; networking with clients to strengthen budget management and take corrective actions when required;
• Collaboration in the improvement of the UNOPS Project Budget formulation system, with the cooperation of the Information Technology group, ensuring relevance of the system at all times by updating and proposing change to facilitate financial management of project and enhance financial reporting;
• Timely financial reports for submission to the funding agency in accordance with UNOPS rules, and in line with the established procedures;
• Review and appropriate recommendations with respect to the finalization of budget performance reports, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures;
• Review and update of guidelines, procedures in light of changing circumstances or for the purpose of complying, streamlining and/or strengthening of existing financial and budgetary procedures.

Ensures proper Operational Hub cash management and treasury functions, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements; identification and recording of receipts for income application;
• Daily review of zero-balance account bank statements in ATLAS to monitor imprest level; identification and recording of contributions;
• Establishment of efficient local banking arrangements and compliance with local financial and banking regulations;
• Building of project capacity to effect payments using ATLAS or Imprest Accounts;
• Monitoring of the delivery and income of the portfolio; planning and adjustment of expenditures for the administrative budget;
• Discussion and communication with the Portfolio Specialists the savings or potential concerns that may require further review;
• Analysis of trends and forecasting of income from projects and other sources.

Ensures proper control of Operational Hub accounts and payments, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Analysis and elaboration of proposals for the internal expenditures' control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in ATLAS; payrolls are duly prepared; monthly payment orders (MPOs), travel claims and other entitlements are duly processed;
• Quality control of the account by performing ongoing review, analysis and reconciliation of accounts. Investigation of discrepancies and initiation of timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers. Timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues;
• Control of the Accounts Receivables for UNOPS projects and follow up with partners on contributions, maintenance of the General Ledger;
• Ensuring proper maintenance of the field financial accounts; preparation of financial records, statements and reports as required or approval of the work of subordinates; coordination of field replies to internal and external audit queries;
• Ensuring proper receipt, management, safeguarding and disbursement of payments handled by the field; review, modification, initiation and implementation of internal control procedures in coordination with Headquarters;
• Proper control of the supporting documents for payments; preparation of all types of vouchers; Pay Cycle and payments execution;
• Ensuring proper maintenance of the Accounts Receivables for UNOPS projects and follow-up with partners on contributions, deposits creation in ATLAS and their application to AR pending items.
• Act as Engagement Closure Manager and finalize financial closure

Provides support to knowledge building and knowledge sharing, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Organization and conduct of training for the operations/ projects staff on Finance;
• Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in Finance;
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
• Provide technical guidance and on the job training to ensure work standards are achieved, both in terms of quantity/quality of input/output processed.

Ensure support to Business Development initiatives

• Support business development initiatives in full coordination with the business development unit;

Perform other duties as required.

Competencies

UNOPS Core Values

Integrity

Professionalism Respect for diversity

Functional Competencies

• Knowledge Management and Learning;
• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
• Development and Operational Effectiveness;
• Ability to provide analytical inputs to strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to make the analysis of requirements and parameters provided in support of financial processes in the Operational Hub;
• Ability to formulate and manage budgets, contributions and investments, and transactions; conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost recovery;
• Management and Leadership, Ability to successfully lead the Finance Team;
• Technological awareness Excellent IT skills, knowledge of Atlas;
• Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioural/ attitudinal change;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Keen sense of ethics and integrity in dealing with clients and service providers and demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with counterparts and clients;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
• Creativity and innovation
• Commitment to continuous Learning
• Accountability
• Strong oral and written communication skills

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Master's Degree or equivalent in Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics or related field. Applicants with a Bachelor's Degree with additional two years of relevant working experience may also be considered.

A minimuim of 2 years of UN working experience is an asset. Minimum 5 years of experience with professional accounting assignments, with responsibility for project accounting and assisting in preparation of financial statements.

Fluency in English and Arabic required.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local ICA support

Contract level: LICA-7

Contract duration: 12 months

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