UN WOMEN Jobs - 74212- Finance Associate

Finance Associate

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Dakar, SENEGAL

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

09-Oct-2017

Application Deadline :

06-Sep-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

GS-7

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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.

Under the overall guidance of the Chief of Accounts in Headquarters (HQ) and the daily supervision of the Finance Specialist, the Finance Associate is responsible for the execution of a wide range of financial services and administrative processes in the WCA RO, 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. Additionally, the individual will be required to provide cover for other financial staff in the Regional and other Offices in all areas of financial activities

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions

Implement financial strategies, and adapt processes and procedures in full compliance of UN Women rules, regulations, policies, and recording and reporting systems

Review and verify financial transactions, activities, and documentation; Finalize reports on financial status, procedures, exchange rates, costs and expenditures;
Monitor financial exceptions reports for unusual activities or transaction, investigate anomalies and report to the supervisor conclusions and/or present recommendations for actions/decisions;
Follow-up on audit recommendations to monitor implementation of corrective actions;
Collect, verify and present information and data for use in the planning of financial resources and the formulation of the WCA RO program work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements and execution modalities;
Provide expert advice and recommend solutions to a wide range of financial issues;
Monitor the proper functioning of the financial resources management system for office and programmatic budgets and resources;
Implement and monitor cost saving and reduction strategies;
Finalize for cost sharing and Trust Fund agreements including conditions of contributions within resource mobilization efforts. Follow up on contributions within the WCA RO resource mobilization efforts;
Review with Budget owners and Project Managers, in line with Month-end Closure Checklist, the Project Delivery Status Reports and investigate any overspend;
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

Prepare and administer the WCA RO budgets in full compliance of UN Women rules, regulations, policies, and recording and reporting systems

Formulate the budget, control allotments, monitor expenditures, and prepare revisions according to the needs of the WCA RO;
Track the appropriate and timely use of financial resources;
Finalize cost recovery documents or bills for the services provided by UN Women to other programmes or organizations;
Ensure the maintenance of the control mechanism for development projects through monitoring budgets preparation and modifications and budgetary status;
Maintain internal expenditure control system;
Undertake corrective actions on un-posted vouchers, including vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions and unapproved vouchers. Frequently review and investigate payment vouchers which are in error;
Prepare VAT reimbursements with adequate documentation support, as necessary;
Input data in Atlas and monitor status. Keep stakeholders and clients informed for timely action and/or decisions;
Verify accuracy of Combined/Programme Delivery Reports and One UN Financial Reports as applicable. Take appropriate action to ensure accuracy of information;
Manage petty cash fund, cash impress level and other temporary General Ledger accounts;
Ensure Project Managers enter project budgets correctly and on time into ATLAS;
Assist Project Managers with budget re-phrasal as required

Provide finance support to the Programme team

Review accounts receivables for UN Women projects and follow-up with project managers and finance section at regional office and/or headquarters on contributions, deposits creation in Atlas and their application to AR pending items;
Prepare PO and non-PO vouchers for development projects;
Review transactions in Atlas, ensure payroll, travel claims, MPOs, and other entitlements are processed;
Maintain proper follow up of advances to implementing partners, review their financial reports together with project managers;
Monitor the financial status and under the guidance of the Finance Specialist implement control mechanisms for management/development projects;
Keep stakeholders and clients informed for timely actions/decisions and review status reports for quality control;
Provide information to the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects;
Finalize mandated financial reports to donors and other clients and stakeholders;
Associate revenue and expenditure in commitment control for non-core projects.

Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

Conduct training and/or helping organize training events and activities;
Collect and compile lessons learned and best practices in financial management and services. Disseminate to clients and stakeholders as appropriate to build capacity and knowledge;
Contribute to financial business operational practices and management innovations.

Key Performance Indicators

Timely, complete and accurate financial transactions/activities/documentation;
Timely and accurate advice on UN Women financial rules and regulations;
Timely and regular monitoring of financial resources management system and timely expenditure of financial resources;
Timely and accurate support to budget formulation and controlling allotments;
Timely and accurate monitoring of internal expenditures control systems;
Timely and quality financial support to programmes and programme team.

Competencies

Core Values

Respect for Diversity;
Integrity;
Professionalism.

Core Competencies

Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
Accountability;
Creative Problem Solving;
Effective Communication;
Inclusive Collaboration;
Stakeholder Engagement;
Leading by Example.

Functional Competencies

Excellent knowledge of financial rules and regulations and accounting principles;
Excellent knowledge and application skills of IT tools and understanding of management systems;
Excellent knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages;
Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems;
Ability to administer and execute financial and accounting processes and transactions.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Certification:

Completion of secondary education is required;
Specialized national or international certification in accounting and finance is an asset;
Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting or Public Administration is an asset,

Successful completion of UN Women Accounting and Finance Test is required.

Experience:

7 years of progressively relevant finance work experience is required;
Experience required in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.);
Demonstrated experience required in working in web based ERP financial systems (i.e. SAP, PeopleSoft, Oracle, etc.);
Experience in use of database packages desirable;
Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS is desirable;
Experience with an international organisation such as the UN desirable.

Language Requirements

Fluency in French and English is required;
Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset.