UN WOMEN Jobs - 58510- Finance Assistant

Finance Assistant

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Thimpu, BHUTAN

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

06-Aug-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

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

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.

Within the overall context of UN Women’s Strategic Plan for India and Bhutan, UN WOMEN MCO in New Delhi under the Governance Programme is implementing three year project, “Gender-responsive governance leading to better outcomes for women based on improved access to their rights and entitlements”, the programme will support central governments of India and Bhutan and at the state level in India. The project is aimed to strengthen the capacities of governance institutions to better leverage opportunities created for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment through legislation, policies and programmes. The project will advance this objective by supporting civil society participation as well as government transparency and accountability for gender responsive governance.

The focus of the programme is to:

Develop a body of evidence to inform and enhance the capacity of governance institutions to leverage opportunities created through legislation, policies and programmes.
Pilot test gender responsive implementation of flagship schemes to inform policy change on mainstreaming gender issues.
Strengthen the capacity of national and state level government institutions to deliver on international and national commitments on women’s rights and gender equality

The outcomes for the three year project (2015 – 2018) are :

Outcome 1: Enhanced accountability and transparency of governance institutions to ensure gender responsive design and implementation of legislation, policies and programmes

Outcome 2: Strengthened implementation of Normative Frameworks for gender equality at the international, national and sub-national levels thereby enhancing government accountability

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the National Coordinator - Bhutan, the Finance Assistant – Governance Programme, ensures effective execution of financial services and processes in the Multi Country Office (MCO) and transparent utilization of financial resources. The Finance Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UN WOMEN rules and regulations.

The Finance Assistant may supervise clerical and support staff. The Finance Assistant works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme, Management Support and Business Development staff in the MCO and UNDP and the projects’ staff for resolving finance-related issues and exchange of information.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Administration and implementation of the Governance programme/operations and financial management strategies;
Support to management of the MCO programme, administration of budgets and functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system;
Accounting, finance and administrative support;
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing;
Any other duty assigned by the supervisor.

Ensures administration and implementation of programme/operations and financial management strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:

Full compliance with UN WOMEN rules and regulations and other relevant policies on financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations; implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system;
Provision of inputs for implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies in consultation with the office management.

Provides effective support to management of the MCO programme, administration of budgets and functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results:

Presentation of information for formulation of country programme work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements and execution modalities. Entry of data of new grants into Atlas in the form of Annual Work Plans (AWPs), monitoring of their status;
Provision of guidance to the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects, tracking use of financial resources;
Accuracy verification of Combined Delivery Reports;
Provision of information for the audit of projects, implementation of audit recommendations;
Implementation of the control mechanism for development projects through monitoring of budgets preparation and modifications;
Tracking and reporting on mobilized resources;
Preparation of financial reports;
Analyze, review and certify the cost recovery charges levied by UNDP for their services in supporting programme implementation;
Liaise with UNDP Bhutan for banking, financial and other support required from them.

Provides accounting and administrative support to the Programme Finance Unit focusing on achievement of the following results:

Proper control of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports for projects; preparation of PO and non-PO vouchers for development projects;
Maintenance of 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 and processed; travel claims, MPOs and other entitlements are duly processed;
Timely corrective actions on erroneous data in Atlas. Preparation of financial reports as required;
Provision of inputs to reports including donor reports;
Generate project expenditure reports on a monthly basis (or more when required) to review accuracy of expenditure data captured in Atlas;
Analyse expenditure incurred in line with the approved work plan of the implementing partner and flag for deviations / exceptions;
Provide support in linking the financial inputs with the physical progress under the project;
Maintain filing of all financial and administration records and documents pertaining to project;
Provide administrative coordination support for internal / external and annual NIM/DIM audit exercise;
Provide support in implementation of audit recommendation;
Examine all financial reports and FACE forms from project partners for accuracy and alignment with the project budget and work plan and follow-up on correction of mistakes / deviations, if any;
Provide other administrative and logistical support for procurement, events and meetings;
Liaise closely with India MCO and provide timely inputs for any requests received from them.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the MCO focusing on achievement of the following results:

Systematic gaining and sharing of knowledge and experience related to programme management;
Organization of training for the office staff on programme/operations related issues;
Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in programme finance;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Any other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UN WOMEN’s mission, vision and values.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning

Shares knowledge and experience
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 perform a variety of standard specialized and non-specialized tasks and work processes that are fully documented, researched, recorded and reported
Ability to review a variety of data, identify and adjust discrepancies, identify and resolve operational problems
Ability to perform work of confidential nature and handle a large volume of work
Good knowledge of financial rules and regulations and Results Management Guide, accounting
Strong IT skills, Atlas
Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system.

Leadership and Self-Management

Focuses on result for the client
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
Demonstrates openness to change
Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view

UN Accounting and Finance Training and Certification

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University Degree in Commerce;
Any additional diploma or course in Accounting and Finance desirable.

Experience:

4 years of progressively responsible finance 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;
Knowledge of working in ERP systems will be an added advantage.

Language:

Fluency in English and working knowledge of the national language of the duty station.