Antecedentes

The 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. 

The Finance Associate reports to the Operations Manager for guidance and supervision and is responsible for managing and supervising the execution of a wide range of financial services and administrative processes in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Regional, Multi-Country and Country Offices,, ensuring timeliness, efficiency and transparent use of financial resources and delivery of services in accordance with organizational financial rules, regulations, policies, procedures and approved allocations. The Finance Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UN Women rules and regulations, standard practices and guidelines.

The Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the Operations Team in the Regional Office as well as with the Operations and Programme teams in UN Women HQ for solving complex finance-related issues and information delivery.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Summary of key functions:

• Administration and implementation of program and operational financial services;
• Support the ECA RO/MCO/CO Management in the preparation, and administration of budget;
• Accounting services and administrative support;
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing between RO, MCOs and COs.

Administration and implementation of program and operational financial services

• Review drafts for Donor/cost sharing and Trust Fund agreements including conditions of contributions within resource mobilization efforts and ensure Legal Section policies for standard and non-standard agreements are followed. Follow up on contributions within the ECA RO/MCO/CO resource mobilization efforts;
• Monitor and implement an effective and proper functioning of the financial resources management system for office and programmatic budgets and resources;
• Manage the financial business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in finance, in consultation with the supervisor;
• Monitor the financial status and implement control mechanisms for management of RO  department (core) and development projects (core programmable, non-core and trust funds) and keep stakeholders and clients informed for timely actions/decisions;
• Regularly review with ECA Budget owners and Project managers, in line with Month-end Closure Checklist, the Project Delivery Status Reports and investigate any overspend and take immediate  corrective action;
• Assist with preparation for Audit of Projects and Partners by third party audit firm.  Follow-up and/or take action on audit recommendations to ensure implementation of corrective actions. Assist in reviewing the audit reports on NGO executed projects. Assist in pre-audit reviews of all offices with new Delegations of Authority within the ECA region to ensure that standard Programme and Operational Manual guidelines are being followed correctly.

Support ECA RO/MCO/CO Management in the preparation and administration of budgets 

• Collect, verify and present thoroughly researched information and data for use in the planning of financial resources and the formulation of country program work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements and execution modalities;
• Input data in Atlas for new grants in the form of Annual Work Plans (AWPs) and monitor status. Keep stakeholders and clients informed for timely action and/or decisions;
• Contribute to office budget planning and preparation by presenting thoroughly researched information for planning of financial resources of the CPO;
• Provide information/guidance to the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects. Keep track of the appropriate and timely use of financial resources;
• Implement control mechanism for development projects through monitoring budgets preparation and modifications and budgetary status. Track and report on program and operational financial resources;
• Assist Project Managers to ensure project Budgets are correctly and timely entered into ATLAS;
• Assist Project Managers with budget rephasal as required or when requested by Budget Section on timely basis;
• Take appropriate action to ensure accuracy of information;
• Prepare timely cost recovery documents for the services provided by UN Women to non-core programmes by core programme resources or to prepare bills to services provided to other organizations for reimbursement, as required. Elaborate and implement the income tracking system and follow-up on cost recovery. 

Accounting services and administrative support

• Keep abreast of and ensure full compliance with amendments to International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS)`
• Keep abreast of and ensure full compliance with all UNW Financial Regulations and Rules, Operations manuals, Internal Control Framework, Standard operating procedures, Finance manual, and Delegations of Authority to ensure consistency across Regional office and Country offices in the region.  Provide recommendations to Operations Manager for proposed amendments;
• Analyze/interpret the financial rules and regulations, as well as established policies and procedures, and provide advice and recommend solutions to a wide range of financial issues;
•  Review and verify financial transactions/activities/documentation for accuracy, appropriateness and completeness and ensure full compliance of financial services and transactions with UN Women rules, regulations, policies and recording and reporting systems. Certify transactions for accuracy and propriety prior to submission to the supervisor for approval and/or action;
• Timely preparation of verified payment vouchers based on proper supporting documents authorized by the budget owners and project managers;
• Maintain internal expenditures control systems to ensure that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas, payrolls are duly prepared and processed; travel claims, and other entitlements are duly processed.  Review on a weekly basis payment vouchers which are in error in ATLAS, investigate and take necessary corrective action timely;
• Prepare General Ledger journal entries (GLJEs) from proper supporting documents authorized by the budget owners and project managers;
• Review accounts receivables for UN Women projects and follow-up with project managers and Finance section at headquarters on contributions, deposits creation in Atlas and their application to accounts receivable and milestone pending items.  Review on a weekly basis Unapplied deposits list on Finance Section intranet page to ensure all receipts for region are identified timely;
• Action timely the items in the Month-end Closure Checklists and Year-end Closure checklist which are applicable to the Finance Associate, as issued monthly by Chief of Accounts.  Maintain up to date and accurate data in Atlas in relation to Petty Cash reconciliation, Outstanding Partner advances, Staff Advances/Other Advances, VAT/Sales Tax (as applicable), General ledger journal entries (GLJEs), Accounts Payable journal entries (APJVs), Petty Cash,  and Travel claims and take timely corrective actions on erroneous data.  Conduct other work as required by Operations Manager or Finance Section;
• Maintain proper follow up of advances to implementing partners, review their financial reports (FACE form) and supporting documentation together with Project Managers and be fully satisfied before creating APJV for liquidation of advance or payment voucher for next payment installment. Ensure Cash advances and other cash transfers to partners policy in the Programme and Operations Manual (POM) is followed;
• Liaise with Finance Section for requests for preparation of donor reports and review and comment on draft financial reports in conjunction with project managers;
• Manage petty cash in accordance with policy in POM, ensuring accuracy and transparency in use and reporting;
• Respond to instructions from the Chief of Accounts or Finance Section in relation to financial transactions.  Undertake timely corrective actions as requested by Finance Section to resolve financial data issues or provide information;
• Prepare timely VAT reimbursements with adequate documentation support (where applicable);
• Monitor for unusual financial activities or transactions, investigate anomalies and report to the Operations Manager and Chief of Accounts (where significant) and/or present recommendations for actions/decisions;
• Ensure all supporting documents on financial transactions are secured and properly filed;
• Recommend and/or implement cost saving and reduction strategies, in consultation with the office management;
• Participate as a member of the Regional office team in the internal and external audits of the Regional office or Country offices in the region, including full understanding of audit preparation requirements, audit recommendations and clearance timetable;
• Actively promote a client-oriented finance service to Regional office and Country offices.

Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing 

• Supervise and guide staff and personnel under his/her responsibility, as applicable, provide technical guidance and monitor performance to ensure delivery of results according to plans and standards of accountability and performance;
• Undertake all trainings in relation to financial management provided, including webinars from headquarters.  Actively promote participation in training for all Finance Associates in the country offices in the region;
• Contribute to training initiatives on financial processes by conducting training and/or organizing training events and activities within office or country offices within the region; 
• Capture, synthesize and/or codify lessons learned and best practices in financial management and services. Disseminate to Operations Manager, Chief of Accounts, clients and stakeholders as appropriate to build capacity and knowledge;
• Design and/or introduce innovations in financial business operational practices and management, in line with approval from Operations Manager/Chief of Accounts;
• Actively build partnerships within UN Women in region and also headquarters as well as other UN Agencies in regional centre;
• Prepare Performance Plan for yourself based on the work plan of the office and ensure preparation and review meets established timelines.

The individual will also perform any other finance or administrative related duties as requested by the Head of Office.

Impact of Results:
The key results have an impact on the overall efficiency in financial resources management and success in implementation of operational strategies in the Office.  Accurate analysis and presentation of financial information enhances UN Women credibility in use of financial resources and proper financial process management. The information provided facilitates decision making of the management.

Competencias

Core Values/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 safeguard ethics and integrity;
• Organizational Awareness: Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Development and Innovation: Take charge of self-development and take initiative;
• Work in 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;
• Communicating and Information Sharing: Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for 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: Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge;
• Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making: Demonstrate informed and transparent decision making.

Functional Competencies:

• Thorough knowledge of financial rules and regulations and accounting principles;
• Excellent knowledge and application skills of IT tools and management systems;
• Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems;
• Very good analytical skills and results orientation;
• Client oriented approach to work;
• Skills to manage relationships and communicate.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:    

• Secondary Education is required;
• Specialized national or international certification in accounting and finance would be an asset;
• University Degree in Business or Accounting desirable, but it is not a requirement. 

Experience:    

• 7 years of progressively relevant finance work experience is required;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of database packages, working experience in web based ERP financial systems (i.e. SAP, PeopleSoft, Oracle, etc.);
• Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS is desirable;
• Successful completion of UN Women Accountancy & Finance Test required.

Language:    

• Written and oral proficiency in English is required;
• Depending on the duty station, a working knowledge of another UN language such as French, Spanish, Arabic, or Russian may be required.

Note:

• Open to Turkish Nationals only; 
• All those who applied in the previous round need not apply again.