Finance Associate, ESARO

Post Number: 00052597                                        

1. Organizational Location

The Programme Associate position is located in the East and Southern Regional Office of UNFPA, Johannesburg in the Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Unit and reports to a Deputy Director or Programme Adviser.

The Programme Associate is part of a team, coordinated by the Regional Team Coordinator, which provides integrated programme and technical support within a systems strengthening approach fundamental to UNFPA’s overall strategy.  The Programme Associate also works in close collaboration with the Regional Operations Manager (ROM) and his/her team to ensure timely support to COs on operational matters.

2. Job Purpose

The Programme Associate contributes to the development and implementation of effective regional and country programmes in the region by providing administrative support to UNFPA’s programmes.  As appropriate and under the direction of the Regional Team Coordinator and the Operations Manager the Programme Associate will also contribute to research, financial management and operational and procedural guidance.

3. Major Activities/Expected Results

• Supports the monitoring of UNFPA Supplies financial and programmatic performance for all resources allocated to ESARO region by providing necessary financial information and analysis, including implementation rate against indicators/results. Detects potential over-under expenditure problems and suggests remedial action;
• Works with RHCS focal points at country level to ensure that RHCS indicators are reported to ESARO in a timely fashion;
• Supports the monitoring of UNFPA Supplies financial and programmatic performance for all resources allocated to ESARO region by providing necessary financial information and analysis, including implementation rate against indicators/results. Detects potential over-under expenditure problems and suggests remedial action;
• Works with RHCS focal points at country level to ensure that RHCS indicators are reported to ESARO in a timely fashion;
• Review and analyze past and current expenditures including trends in pattern of resource allocation in order to prepare recommendations and proposals for distribution of income and utilization of resources provided to the countries and to regional programme in the region;
• Coordinate submission of financial reports on country and regional funds on UNFPA Supplies, including the review and finalization of inputs for financial reports for donors;
• Monitor the overall expenditure targets among countries and regional programme within the region in accordance with UNFPA Supplies resource allocation system and donor guidelines;
  Develops tools and mechanisms for effective and efficient monitoring of programme and project budgets, coordinates compilation of financial data and provides accurate and up-dated financial information to HQ on a continuous basis;
• Interprets financial policies and procedures particularly relating to NEX and provides guidance and training to staff and project managers. Strives to identify ways in which programme financial needs can be met within existing policies;
• Assists in the management of the UNFPA Supplies related budget by budget formulation, controlling allotments, monitoring expenditures, and preparing revisions according to the needs of the office;
• Ensures the effective financial recording and reporting system, internal control and audit follow-up and processes financial transactions in an accurate and timely way;
• Assist the technical and programme team, in collaboration with the OM office, in providing support and advice to the COs on operational and programme matters;
• Assess and upon approval distribute secretarial workload;
• Ensure proper management of the Unit filing and archiving system;
• Perform research assistance duties including bibliographic and database searches; summarize information and draft contributions to RO reports, papers, technical notes, and publications;
• Identify sources, and gather and compile data and information for the preparation of documents, guidelines, speeches and position papers;
• Assemble briefing materials and prepare power-point and other presentations for the technical and programme team members;
• Monitor status of Operating Fund Accounts (OFA) and prepare action for timely clearance and expenditure;
• Assess and monitor project level procurement tasks and other administrative matters;
• Facilitate and support year end assets and liabilities and balance sheet statements with reports and related documents;
• Organize, compile and process information from donors, Regional Offices, programme countries, and country offices, as inputs to various databases and documents; and
• Carry out any other duties as may be required.

4. Work Relations

The Programme Associate works with and provides support the members of the Technical and Programme Team in the RO as well as the team under the OM; staff in the country offices; Programme Associate and officers at Headquarters and Country Offices as well as all staff within the Regional Office. Contacts with staff and other personnel promote achievement of common goals and shared objectives and demonstrate personal commitment to UNFPA’s mandate and organizational vision.

Both internal and external contacts include exchange of information on broader aspects of the work area which may include providing clarification of non-routine matters involving some technical input.

5. Job Requirements

Education:   

• Completion of secondary school with additional course work in public administration, finance or economics.
• Qualifications in accounting and financial management and administrative field;

Knowledge and Experience: 

• 6 years previous relevant experience;
• Previous experience in the UN an advantage;
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills;
• Computer literacy - Word, Excel, Power-point, etc.;
• Good knowledge of Atlas / Peoplesoft or other ERP system;
• Good writing and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment

Required Competencies:

i) Values: Exemplifying integrity, Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, Embracing cultural diversity, Embracing change

ii) Core Competencies: Achieving results, Being accountable, Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen, Thinking analytically and strategically, Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships, Communicating for impact

iii) Required Skillset:

• Logistical support
• Managing data
• Managing documents, correspondence and reports
• Managing information and workflow
• Planning, organizing and multi-tasking
• Managing financial processes
• Proficiency in current office software applications; good basic knowledge of finances and mastery of a series of financial and spreadsheet software.

Languages: Fluency in English. Working knowledge of French and/or Portuguese an asset.

All applications should be addressed to The International Operations Manager and sent to the following e-mail address, jobs.esaro@unfpa.org on or before the closing date of 22^nd May 2016. Alternatively, applications can be hand delivered to the following physical address:

UNFPA – ESARO
Sunninghill Place
Block A
9 Simba Road
Sunninghill
Johannesburg

All applications are to be accompanied by the attached completed and signed Personal History form (P11 Form), CV, proof of qualifications and cover later with a clear reference to the position being applied for.