Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women’s rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

The Bureau of Management and Administration is responsible for the planning, allocation and management of financial, human and administrative resources including information communications and technology, the effective and efficient delivery of essential operations services in UN-Women, continuous development and improvement in operations, policies, and methods to align with UN-Women and stakeholders’ evolving business needs and advisory support to the Executive Director in the formulation and implementation of the UN-Women overall mission, strategy and plans of actions.

The Finance Specialist reports to the Finance Specialist (Unit head) – Regional Centers & Country Office Support, Development, and Systems Compliance Unit for guidance and supervision and is responsible for the providing rotational redundancy to Regional Centers and Country Offices as necessary to ensure capacity and support; assistance with leading development projects for the finance users of UN Women for better business practices and controls as well as automation; ensuring all finance users are compliant with and trained in the accounting standards, financial regulations and rules, policies and procedures; assisting the Unit head to lead the Section in dedicated support, training, advice for Regional Centers (RC), Multi-Country Offices (MCO) and Country Offices (CO); and acts as the assistant Audit focal point for the Finance Section as well as finance users in RC/MCO/CO. The Finance Specialist will support the work of the other Finance Specialist – P3 in the Finance Section as needed per the instructions of the Chief of Accounts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:
  • Rotational redundancy/training/communication
  • Financial planning, analysis, management and services
  • Monitoring, oversight and control
  • Certification
  • Advisory support and technical guidance
  • Financial reporting
  • Knowledge management and capacity building
  • Audit
  • Supervisory responsibilities
Rotation redundancy/training/communication:
  • Provide rotational redundancy for RC/MCO/CO during times of extended leave (as necessary) to ensure continuation of financial services.
  • Perform Finance role in RC/MCO/CO as necessary. Travel to RC/MCO/CO to perform Finance redundancy role or alternatively, perform this role from HQ where it is not possible or costly to perform in situ.
  • Assist with the implementation of the improved communication plan and monitor the effectiveness on a regular basis to ensure close relationship between Finance Section and Finance Users in RC/MCO/CO.
  • Promote pro-actively and support Finance Users in RC/MCO/CO with cost effective tools such as Skype, webinars, SharePoint, and online forums. Lead development projects for ensuring such effective tools are in place and regularly monitored for improvements with feedback from Finance Users at HQ, RC/MCO/CO.
  • Lead the Implementation of the approved Training plans on a recurrent basis to ensure competency across all Finance Users of UN Women. Implement the Induction Training plan in a methodology that new Finance Users can access on day one of taking up post.
  • Provide dedicated remote focal point support for Finance Users at RC/MCO/CO on a timely basis. Perform the Finance Helpdesk function for RC/MCO/CO to ensure accurate and timely response to issues and advice requested in conjunction with other staff of the Finance Section or Department of Management and Administration (DMA).
Financial planning, analysis, management and services:
  • Recommend and/or implement cost saving and reduction strategies including cost recovery strategies and cost effective financial arrangements.
  • Review, recommend and implement and/or verify financial transactions/activities, recording/reporting system and audit reports and ensure full compliance with and consistent approach to UN Women internal control framework and financial rules, regulations and strategies. Lead the implementation team for approved amendments.
  • Review, recommend and oversee the financial business processes and use of Atlas system to ensure accurate and complete reporting of financial transactions by UN Women staff and the timely flow of financial information in UN Women for management, monitoring and oversight purposes.

Approving and certifying function:

  • Perform delegated approval function in Atlas on a timely basis.
  • Review and provide financial clearance of all donor agreements as delegated for compliance with standard agreements on a timely basis. (Provide assistance for donor agreement clearance to P3-Reporting Unit as required to ensure timely turnaround of reports)

Monitoring, oversight and control:

  • Monitor financial systems and reports for unusual activities, transaction, investigate anomalies and report directly to the Chief of Accounts findings and recommendations for actions/decisions.
  • Supervise the timely year-end closing of accounts and preparation of UN Women statutory financial statements. Follow up adherence to issued guidelines with users to ensure all actions are taken within the established timelines. Report directly to Chief of Accounts any case of non-adherence for timely action.
  • Implement new financial reports in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and ensure continued compliance. Monitor RCs and COs for compliance with IPSAS accounting standards by reviewing business processes and systems modules resulting in IPSAS compliant general ledger and financial statements. Report non-adherence to the Unit head and develop action plan for RCs and/or COs and support the implementation of the approved action plan.
  • During RCs or COs visits, review Implementing Partner advance procedures and test against UN Women policies to ensure compliance. Investigate and follow up on any anomalies for timely action and resolution. Report directly to the Chief of Accounts findings and recommendations for actions/decisions.

Advisory support and technical guidance:

  • Provide advice and support to UN Women HQ and RC/MCO/CO on financial reporting, including providing input in the review and/or policy development of donor and cost-sharing and trust funds agreements, donor reports, management reports and financial statements.
  • Provide input to the continuing review of delegation of responsibility to Field Offices and HQ for reporting responsibility. Assist with financial risk assessment reviews on behalf of the Finance Section for HQ, RC/MCO/CO, identifying areas of risk and providing recommendations and action plans for addressing issues raised.
  • Provide recommendations to Finance Specialist –Regional Centers and Country Offices Support Unit and Chief of Accounts for improvements to existing reports and development of new reports. Identify and assist to develop projects for the Finance Section for improvement in accounting systems, processes and procedures used by the Finance Section and our RC/MCO/CO.

Financial reporting:

  • In accordance with the timelines required by Chief of Section and as support for P3 Reporting Unit provide assistance with:
  • Prepare cost sharing and Trust Fund agreements including conditions of contributions within resource mobilization efforts.
  • Prepare timely and accurate interim and annual certified financial reports to governments and donors as required under the donor agreements, Trust Funds and other cost-sharing arrangements.
  • Prepare annual financial statements and notes in accordance with IPSAS.
  • Prepare quarterly and when requested monthly management financial statements.
  • Prepare financial reports required by Director, Senior Management Team, Executive Director and Executive Board.
  • Prepare adhoc Donor and other reports as requested
  • Follow up and/or take prompt action to respond to audit and other findings on financial management including incorporating recommendations in development in policies, procedures and practices to ensure full compliance with and consistent approach to UN Women internal control framework, and financial regulations and rules and strategies.
Knowledge management and capacity building:
  • Contribute to and actively promote the automation of UN Women reports, including priorities such as donor reports and financial statements, automating manual processes after consultation with the Finance users in the RC/MCO/CO. 
  • Contribute to the development of accounting policies, procedures, internal control, business flows, reporting and systems.
  • Identify, participate in the development and/or recommend enhancement/updates/improvement in Atlas financial modules for better business practices and controls at HQ, RC/MCO/CO.
  • Capture, synthesize and/or codify lessons learned and best practices in RCs and COs support and Financial management and services. Disseminate to Finance Section to share knowledge and build capacity.
  • Design and/or introduce, learning tools, best practices and innovations in financial business operational practices and management. Lead maintenance of the Finance Section SharePoint site
Audit:
  • Prepare responses to internal and external audit inquiries and other findings related to financial management for review/approval by Chief of Accounts.
  • Follow up and/or take prompt action to respond to audit and other findings on financial management including incorporating recommendations in development in policies, procedures and practices.
  • Conduct training at HQ, RC/MCO/CO as part of the Training plan or requirement of pre-audit preparations or as otherwise determined.

Supervisory and other responsibilities:

  • Under the guidance of the Finance Specialist – Operations Unit, is responsible for supervision of staff and monitoring progress and providing guidance and direction to the staff as necessary to ensure goals and objectives are achieved.
  • Establish RCA for each member of the team based on the work plan and ensure preparation and review meets established timelines.
  • Provides coverage of other staff duties within Finance Section during times of sickness and annual leave as requested by Chief of Accounts.
  • Rotates duties within the Finance Section at similar level at the request of Chief of Accounts for cross training and reassignment as necessary to the functioning of the Finance Section.
Impact of Results:
  • The key results have and impact on the effective and efficient management of UN Women regular and non-core resources. Sound policies and advice, proper oversight, control and monitoring of program and project resources, and timely and accurate financial reporting enhance the UN Women reputation with governments, donors as a trusted partner and reliable custodian of funds and fosters a culture of accountability

Competencies

Core values and Guiding principles:
  • Integrity: Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.
  • Professionalism: Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work.
  • Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity: Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.
Core Competencies:
 
Ethics and Values:
  • Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity
Organizational Awareness:
  • Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
Development and Innovation:
  • Take charge of self-development and take initiative
Work in teams:
  • Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
Communicating and Information Sharing:
  • Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication
Self-management and Emotional Intelligence:
  • Stay composed and positive even in difficult moments, handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behavior towards others
Conflict Management:
  • Surface conflicts and address them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution.
Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing:
  • Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge
Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making:
  • Demonstrate informed and transparent decision making
Functional competencies
  • Demonstrated business acumen and judgment
  • Conceptual/strategic skills and success in implementing financial re-engineering, management systems development, policy design, innovation and knowledge product development
  • Strong communication skills and personable approach is required
  • Ability to travel for extended periods with planned work commitments is required

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Master’s degree or equivalent in Finance/Accounting, Business, or Public Administration, or a professional accounting qualification from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy. Professionally qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy
Experience:
  • Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in accounting, financial management, and preferably 2 years at the supervisory level, in a large international and/or corporate organization.
  • Experience from the UN system and its organizations are preferred.
  • Experience of IPSAS or IFRS highly desirable.
  • Experience in the usage of office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages. 
  • Experience in web based management systems and ERP financial systems such as PeopleSoft.
  • Solid knowledge of complex financial rules and regulations, preferably for UN/UNDP/UN Women Financial Rules and regulations, and strong knowledge and expertise in financial planning and management
  • Solid knowledge and experience in the application of complex financial systems and modules (such as Atlas)
  • Advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages
Language Requirements:
  • Fluency in oral and written English is required.
  • Proficiency in another UN working language is desirable.

Note:

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment

Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.