Jobs - 55317- Finance Associate

Finance Associate

Location :

Nairobi (With Possible Relocation to Somallia when situation permits), KENYA

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

01-Jun-2015

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

GS-6

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

The UN Somalia Common Security Budget activities, includes staffing costs and UN missions in conflict. The United Nations Organizations in Somalia therefore seeks to recruit suitably qualified nationals for the position of Finance Associate to effectively implement the UN Common Security Budget (CSB) for Somalia. The Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the UNDSS Somalia and other UN personnel in providing support on finance related issues.

The mandate of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is to provide leadership, operational support and oversight of the security management system to enable the safest and most efficient conduct of the Programmes and activities of the United Nations System.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Deputy Security Advisor and technical supervision of the UNDP Finance Specialist ensures effective execution of financial services and processes in CO and transparent utilization of financial resources. The Finance Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Finance Associate can supervise clerical and support staff of the Finance Unit. The Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and projects’ staff in the CO and with UNDP HQs staff for resolving finance-related issues and information exchange.

Note:

This post is funded from locally cost-shared security budget and not from core UNDSS budget.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Implementation of operational and financial management strategies;
Administration of budgets and cost-recovery system;
Accounting. Finance and administrative support;
Global payroll;
CO cash management;
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Ensures implementation of operational and financial management strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:

Full compliance with UN/UNDP rules and regulations of financial processes, financial records and reports and audit follow up; implementation of the effective internal control framework;
CO finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management;
Provision of inputs for implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies in consultation with the office management;
Preparation of cost sharing and trust fund agreements, follow up on contributions within the CO resource mobilization efforts.

Ensures administration of budgets and functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results:

Preparation and modifications of budgets for UNDP management projects, follow-up with HQs on ASL for management projects;
Presentation of researched information for planning and status of financial resources of the CO;
Sending project budget to KK if authorized by the Senior Management (can be done only on the basis of signed prodocs and project budgets);
Timely preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the services provided by UNDP, implementation of the income tracking system and follow up on cost recovery.

Provides accounting and administrative support to the Finance Unit and performs Global payroll functions focusing on achievement of the following results:

Proper receipting of goods and services and establishment of accruals;
Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas;; travel claims, F10 claims, and other entitlements are duly processed;
Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers;
Timely corrective actions on erroneous data in Atlas. Preparation of financial reports as required;
Ensure accurate and timely for operational funds in liaison with the field stations and FSCOs;
Maintain an accurate database for expenditures and follow on cost recovery of funds dispatched on behalf of Agencies by UNDSS;
Timely dispatch of invoices and verification of invoices from partners vendors;
Ensure timely and accurate settlement of bills for vendor invoices in conjunction with UNDP Finance and Procurement units.

Ensures proper CO cash management functioning focusing on achievement of the following results:

Alternate to Finance Associate (G7) for timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements. Timely identification and recording of receipts for income application;
Alternate to Finance Associate (G7) for daily review of zero-balance account bank statements in Atlas to monitor imprest level; identification and recording of contributions;
Preparation of monthly UN exchange rate report to Treasury;
Alternate to Finance Associate (ICS-7) for timely preparation of monthly cashflow forecast for use by Operations Manager. Liaison with UN Agencies to obtain estimate of their cash requirement.

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

Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on Finance;
Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in financial management;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall execution of the CO financial services and success in implementation of operational strategies. Accurate analysis and presentation of financial information ensures proper financial processes in the CO.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
Self-development, initiative-taking;
Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
Creating synergies through self-control;
Managing conflict;
Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
Informed and transparent decision making.

Functional Competencies:

Building Partnerships;
Promoting Organizational Learning And Knowledge Sharing;
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise;
Promoting Organizational Change and Development;
Design and Implementation of Management Systems;
Client Orientation;
Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary education;
Certification in the fields of administration, finance, business or public administration desirable;
University Degree in Business or Public Administration desirable, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

6 years of progressively responsible finance and accounting, project/programme management support 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:

Fluency in in English (Both Oral and written).