The Position
The Finance Associate delivers quality services in finance to internal and external clients in the UNFPA Regional Office for East & Southern Africa (ESARO) and the Country Offices (COs). The position is situated within the Operations Unit at the UNFPA Regional Office for East and Southern Africa, and reports to the Finance Specialist.
How you can make a difference
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2022-2025), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose
The Finance Associate delivers quality financial services to internal and external clients mastering all relevant rules, guidelines, processes and procedures. S/he works closely with programme and project staff providing financial monitoring and analysis of projects and advising managers on expenditure trends and implementation rates. S/he takes a client-oriented results-focused approach to interpreting the rules, procedures and guidelines, providing support and guidance to UNFPA ESARO and UNFPA-supported projects.
You would be responsible for:
A. Advisory support to Country Offices
- Advise and support UNFPA staff in ESARO and COs on programme budget reallocations and chart of accounts coding, etc., accounting, policy application and other financial matters.
- Examine and analyze quarterly reports of expenditure (COE/FACE) for reasonable ending balances. This includes:
- Monitor ESARO and COs’ Operating Fund Balances
- Reconciliation of submitted reports with the general ledger, and
- Analysis of exchange rate gains/losses on operating fund accounts.
- Provide training to ESARO and CO finance assistants on application of financial policy, Quantum use and Excel. Training may be held via teleconference or in person in the field.
B. Analysis of accounts
- Review accounting transactions to ensure compliance with policies and procedures.
- Review trial balance for reasonableness and advise ESARO and COs of potential mistakes.
C. Assist in accountability obligations
- Monitor financial information integrity and completeness via the dashboard and ensure the following are performed to allow for monthly closures:
- Vouchers are posted, manage payments and ensure reconciliation of payables and deposits.
- Ensure maintenance and monitoring of charge accounts: charges to incorrect accounts are timeously corrected.
- Purchase orders and requisitions are not excessively aged, by monitoring the dashboard.
- Petty cash management.
- Staff advances are properly accounted for and collected upon, and programme budgets are not over allocated.
- Monthly and quarterly reporting.
- Institutional budget monitoring.
- Maintains filing of financial related documents.
- Submits VAT claims, monitors and distributes reimbursements for ESARO.
- Acts as VAT focal point for select COs in East & Southern Africa region.
D. Assistance in year-end closure process
- Prepare financial analysis as requested. This can include, but is not limited to:
- Creation of general ledger journal entries.
- Summarization of trial balance for financial statement preparation, and
- Research of anomalies and follow up with respective user.
- Timely submission of year-end certifications.
E. General
- Promote continuous improvement and harmonization of business processes.
- Perform activities that may be assigned from time to time to ensure the success of the working team.
- Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.
Qualifications and Experience
Education: High School Graduate. Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance or related field is desirable.
Knowledge and Experience
- Six (6) years of relevant experience in finance-related work experience –accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger maintenance, etc;
- Experience in application of IPSAS or IFRS would be advantageous;
- Proficiency in use of spreadsheets, word processing and computerized accounting systems (preferably PeopleSoft);
- United Nations experience is an asset;
- Proficiency in current office software applications and corporate IT financial systems.
Languages
Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably French and/or Spanish, is desirable.
Required Competencies
Values
Exemplifying integrity,
Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
Embracing cultural diversity,
Embracing change
Functional Competencies
Managing the organization’s financial resources
Managing data, documents, correspondence and reports
Manage information and workflow
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
- Compensation and Benefits:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.
UNFPA Work Environment
Disclaimer
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance and other administrative requirements.
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.