Historique

Organizational Values and Principles:

UNIFEM is dedicated to advancing gender equality and women’s human rights in Afghanistan. Staff and consultants of UNIFEM Afghanistan are expected to contribute to a professional working environment in which the strengthening of national capacities and human potential is prioritized.  Respect for diversity and human dignity is required, as is the active pursuit of a collaborative and inclusive approach to both internal and external stakeholders, including colleagues and partners.

Background:

Since 2002, the UNIFEM Afghanistan Country Office has been assisting the government of Afghanistan and its partners in the area of Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW). UNIFEM is further expanding its EVAW Programme in view of building capacities and providing more coherent and specialized support in the work pertaining to EVAW carried out by both government and civil society organizations. In this regard, UNIFEM Afghanistan’s  EVAW Special Fund (SF) was established in 2007. The Fund addresses the inadequate mechanism to financially support and mobilize community-based and non-governmental organizations that are working on EVAW and expand EVAW initiatives throughout Afghanistan in a coordinated, strategic and sustainable manner. UNIFEM aims to pass the Fund on to a national leadership with in a set time frame. The work of the EVAW SF is inter-linked with all other EVAW initiatives of UNIFEM Afghanistan to ensure a coordinated and collaborative approach and their sustainability.

In supporting EVAW in Afghanistan, UNIFEM also recognizes the need to protect women human rights defenders engaged in promoting the full realization of gender equality commitments and women’s participation in political, peace and governance processes. UNIFEM is in the process of establishing the Urgent Response Special Fund as a mechanism to address targeted violence against women’s rights defenders; to cultivate a safe environment for Afghan women to exercise their political rights of expression, representation, and peaceful assembly at the national and sub-national levels; and to provide rapid responses to ensure safety and security of those targeted by threats and violence. 

The UNIFEM Afghanistan Special Funds are a mechanism to strengthen resource efficiency and effectiveness by pooling resources and expertise via multiple stakeholders to provide effective response to address women’s rights priorities, build capacities and provide more coherent and specialized support to government, civil society organizations and individuals to work and deliver in close coordination and collaboration and to expand women’s rights initiatives throughout Afghanistan.


Summary:
Under the direct supervision of EVAW SF National Program Officer and overall guidance of the Special Funds Unit Manager, the Finance Assistant provides finance-related support and services to EVAW SF and assists in the overall monitoring and evaluation of the EVAW SF grantees to ensure high quality and accurate  work that will result in the timely implementation of EVAW SF programmes. The Finance Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNIFEM rules and regulations.
The Finance Assistant works in close collaboration with UNIFEM operations and other programme staff in UNIFEM Afghanistan Country Office (ACO) to exchange information and ensure high quality service delivery.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Summary of Key Functions:


• Ensure implementation of Special Funds strategies
• Accounting and administrative support to the Special Funds
• Knowledge building and knowledge sharing


Areas of responsibilities include:

1. Ensure implementation of Special Funds strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Monitor the Special Funds  contributions and grants
• Assist EVAW SF grantees to fully comply with financial processes and l reporting following UNIFEM/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies
• Support the EVAW SF grantees to improve their financial reporting
• Perform other tasks relating to program and operations of the Special Funds assigned by the Special Funds Manager

 

2. Provide accounting and administrative support to the Special Funds focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Maintain documents related to donor contribution and project agreements and proper supporting documents for grants, payments
• Review and check financial reports of grantees for accuracy and compliance with the terms of agreement and UNIFEM rules and regulations
• Present information on the status of Special Funds financial resources and EVAW SF grants as required
• Maintain proper filing systems for finance records and documents
• Work as Special Funds assistant back up for all administrative related issues


3. Support capacity building, knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the Special Funds, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Build capacities  of the EVAW SF grantees to improve  financial reporting skills
• Participate in relevant training sessions for the Special Funds grantees and programme/project staff on Finance
• Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice

Compétences

• Ability to multi-task and respond simultaneously and in a timely fashion to job requirements.  Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work under pressure, to follow deadlines and handle numerous tasks simultaneously;
• Strong and proven integrity, time management and work prioritization skills;
• Understanding of UNDP/UNIFEM procedures, rules and regulations an asset;
• Ability to work effectively as a team member.
• Demonstrated sensitivity, discretion, tact and courtesy in relation to gender equality and women’s rights, development principles and projects, implementing partners, and national and international personnel of varied nationalities and backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills, written and oral
• Commitment to upholding the organizational values and principles of UNIFEM Afghanistan.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:
High school graduate with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance. University Degree in Business or Public Administration is desirable.

Experience:
• Three to five years of relevant finance experience at the national and/or international level 
• Good experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management system is desirable
• Experience in financial monitoring and understanding of UNDP/UNIFEM procedures, rules and regulations an asset

Language Requirements:

·         Fluency in written and speaking English and local language Dari and/or Pashto.