Jobs - 51351- Humanitarian Financing and Administration Associat

Humanitarian Financing and Administration Associate (UNOCHA) - (Open to Syrian Nationals Only)

Location :

Damascus, SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

25-Nov-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

GS-7

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Under the overall supervision of the HoO/Team Leader for the Humanitarian Coordinator’s Office (HCO), and with support and methodological guidance from the Senior Humanitarian Affairs Officers the incumbent facilitates humanitarian activities in the country. The support provided to the HCO focuses on the following three sets of activities:

Preparedness;
Support to emergency response;
Development of national humanitarian coordination networks.

For this purpose, the humanitarian team works with the HC and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), national and local authorities when appropriate and relevant humanitarian partners in the country.

The National Humanitarian Affairs Officer will support coordination of the implementation of humanitarian activities by working together with relevant staff in the HCO and will support implementation and monitoring of the humanitarian activities and will be a key player in promoting a client-oriented approach by facilitating interactions with operational humanitarian agencies in Syria.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Emergency Response Fund (ERF) Manager, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Ensure revision of project applications for quality control and that they conform to the ERF guidelines and budgetary procedures;
Process all project related documents and ensure compliance with the ERF guidelines;
Review budget of submitted application are in line with the ERF budget review criteria;
Provide guidance on ERF procedures and guidelines to partners on applications to clarify requirements for accessing grants;
Conduct market cost survey for items commonly purchased under ERF projects;
Review project budgets to determine “normal costs and variations” in project expenditure areas to be determined;
Review requests for reprogramming and no cost extensions of projects and make recommendations;
Track, collect and review final reports from ERF fund recipients to ensure accuracy and compliance with ERF guidelines and give critical feedback to partners;
Liaise with ERF-hired auditors for project accounts audit; review audit reports, communicate audit findings to partners, ensure that comments on the draft audit reports are satisfactorily addressed by implementing partners and finalize final disbursements or request for refund and proceed for project close-out;
Maintain and update a database to support cost effectiveness analysis of proposals to ERF;
Prepare and update numerical and narrative reports detailing ERF financial performance;
Reconcile advisory reports from HQ with ERF records on project performance status and financial statements;
Conduct periodic monitoring and evaluation visits to project sites;
Perform other duties as required.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

Team Leader and other Humanitarian Affairs Officer;
UN agencies;
International and national NGOs;
Relevant government departments.

Impact of Results:

Assist the Regional Humanitarian Coordination’s Office in identifying significant humanitarian issues Develop well-reasoned, innovative suggestions and approaches to problem resolution. Help meet organizational objectives and provide sound analytical inputs and advice with respect to coordination of humanitarian action.

Competencies

Professionalism:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Shares knowledge and experience;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to perform a broad range of activities aimed at effective and efficient functioning of the ERF;
Ability to provide efficient and quality inputs for the ERF Board review discussions.

Leadership and Self-Management

Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary Education, with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance;
University Degree in Finance, Business or Public Administration desirable, but it is not a requirement;
Part-qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.

Experience:

7 years of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience is required;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems and ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft.
Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS required.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in oral and written English and Arabic is required.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.