Historique

The UN Women (UNW), 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 centre of all its efforts, the UN Women will lead and coordinate United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It will provide strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

The Division of Management and Administration is responsible for the planning, allocation and management of financial, 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 Chief of Accounts for guidance and supervision and is responsible for the management, oversight and effective control of UNW regular and non-core financial resources, timely and effective delivery of a whole range of financial services ensuring compliance with UNW Internal Control Framework, financial rules, regulations, policies, procedures and approved allocations. The Finance Specialist contributes to the development of financial policies, rules, procedures, systems and tools to ensure efficiency and efficacy in financial management and operations.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Summary of Key Functions:

Financial Planning, Analysis, Management and Services: 

• Analyze and monitor the financial status of financial resources and keep stakeholders and clients informed for timely actions/decisions to ensure optimum utilization of regular and non-core resources and donor funding;
• Recommend and/or implement cost saving and reduction strategies including cost recovery strategies and cost effective financial arrangements;
• Manage, review, implement and/or verify financial transactions/activities, recording/reporting system and audit reports and ensure full compliance with and consistent approach to UNW internal control framework and financial rules, regulations and strategies;
• Manage and oversee the financial business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal standard operating procedures and use of Atlas system to ensure proper management of financial transaction by UNW staff and the timely flow of financial information in UNW for management, monitoring and oversight purposes. 

Approving and Certifying Functions:

• 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;
• Perform revenue management approval functions in Atlas on a timely basis to ensure accurate and complete revenue transactions in accordance with UN Women revenue recognition policy;
• Review incoming Implementing Partner certified financial reports and journal prepared in HQ and Field Offices. Investigate and follow up on any anomalies for timely action and resolution. 

Monitoring, Oversight and Control: 

• Monitor financial systems and reports for IPSAS compliance, aged transactions, unusual activities or transaction and investigate anomalies. Report to the Chief of Accounts findings and recommendations for actions/decisions;
• Open and close General Ledger fiscal periods;
• Confirm the accuracy, timeliness and completeness of UNW General Ledger and its compliance with IPSAS, and UN Women regulations and rule, policies, controls and guidelines;
• Prepare and issue guidelines for interim and annual donor reports in accordance with required timelines, donor agreements and any other financial reports required by Trust Funds and other cost sharing arrangements;
• Prepare and issue guidelines for period-end and financial year-end closing of accounts and preparation of UNW statutory financial statements;
• Follow up adherence to issued guidelines with users to ensure all actions are taken within the established timelines. Report to the Chief of Accounts any case of non-adherence for timely action;
• Review donor agreements and revenue contribution system and reports, ensuring timely recording of all agreements and receipts, and where necessary investigation. Ensure revenue management is in accordance with UN Women accounting policies.  Report to Chief of Accounts any case of non-adherence for timely action;
• Ensure continued compliance with IPSAS accounting standards by reviewing business processes and systems modules resulting in IPSAS compliant general ledger and financial statements;
• Review UNDP prepared bank reconciliation and Investment statements, agree to general ledger, investigate any discrepancies and report to Chief of Accounts;
• Review all assets and liability balances at period-end and year-end and reconcile to supporting documentations, including review of ageing analysis and reconciliation to various sub- ledgers in accordance with established timetable. Report to Chief of Accounts specific areas of concern and provide recommendation strategies for improvement;
• Follow up regular review of accounts payable and receivable amounts to ensure timely settlement and follow up.

Advisory Support and Technical Guidance:

• Provide advice and/or recommend solutions for a wide range of financial issues based on a review of financial rules and regulations, IPSAS and various policies, procedures and guidance to UNW HQ and Field Offices;
• Provide input in the review and/or policy development of donor and cost-sharing and trust funds agreements and MOUs;
• Contribute to the continuing review of delegation of responsibility to Field Offices and HQ;
• Actively promote and support Finance Users in Field Offices with IT cost effective tools. 

Financial Reporting and Response to Audit:

• Ensure the timely preparation and distribution of Key Performance Indicators as established;
• Ensure the timely preparation of monthly revenue reports as required by HQ and Field Offices and submit to the Chief of Accounts within the required timeline;
• Ensure the timely preparation of monthly management reports including various revenue reports, contributions receivable, management accounts and other areas determined for reporting by Chief of Accounts within required timeframe;
• Ensure the timely preparation of financial reports and other ad hoc reports to governments and donors as required under the donor agreements, Trust Funds and other cost-sharing arrangements. Review financial reports for accuracy and completeness and submit to the Chief of Accounts within the required timeline;
• Ensure the timely preparation of period-end and year-end financial statements and reports. Review period end and year-end financial statement reports for accuracy and completeness and submit to the Chief of Accounts within the required timeline;
• Coordinate and manage responses from HQ and Field Offices in relation to internal and external audit requests. 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 recommending improvements in policies, procedures and practices. 

Knowledge Management and Capacity Building: 

• Manage Finance Section website page development ensuring current dissemination of financial information and policies to all UNW users;
• Contribute and/or initiate the development of financial policies, procedures, guidance notes, internal control, business flows, reporting and systems;
• Conduct and/or organize training events and activities and conduct inductions of new staff members;
• Capture, synthesize and/or codify lessons learned and best practices in financial management and services;
• Diseminate to clients and stakeholders as appropriate to build capacity and knowledge;
• Design and/or introduce, learning tools, best practices and innovations in financial business operational practices and management. 

Supervisory Responsibilities of Finance Staff:

• Promote teamwork and high level of productivity through efficient staff supervision and mentoring;
• Prepare the work plan for the Finance Section in collaboration with the finance team and Chief of Accounts. Establish priorities, timelines, targets and standards for monitoring results;
• Monitor progress and provide 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.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the effective and efficient management of UNW 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 UNW reputation with governments, donors as a trusted partner and reliable custodian of funds and fosters a culture of accountability.

Compétences

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 promote ethics and integrity by creating organizational precedents.

Organizational awareness: 

• Build support for the organization and ensure political acumen.

Development and innovation:

• Support staff competence development, and contribute to an environment of creativity and innovation.

Work in teams: 

• Build and promote effective 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.

Communication and information sharing:  

• Create and promote an environment for open and 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:

• Share knowledge across the organization and build a culture of knowledge sharing and learning.

Appropriate and transparent decision making: 

• Ensure fair and transparent decision making processes and manage risk.

Functional Competencies:

• Strong knowledge and expertise in preparation of financial statements, financial planning and management principles and approaches;
• Solid knowledge of complex financial rules and a regulations, preferably UN/UNDP/UN Women Financial Rules and regulations;
• 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.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:

• Advanced (Masters) University Degree in Finance/Accounting, or a Professional accounting qualification from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy, (Chartered Accountant or Certified Public Accountant);
• Professionally qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of extensive and progressively responsible experience in financial management and operations, at least 3 years of which should be at the supervisory level, in a large international and/or corporate organization;
• Experience in  the UN system and its organizations is desired but not required;
• Experience of IPSAS or IFRS environment with experience in producing financial statements and notes;
• Solid knowledge and experience in the application of complex financial ERP systems and modules (preferably PeopleSoft/Atlas);
• Advance knowledge and use of spreadsheet and database packages. Experience with IT development automation of financial systems and reports is highly desirable;
• Excellent communication skills.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required; working knowledge of another UN 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. Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.