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Post Type: Fixed-Term Appointment

Closing Date: 17 June 2020

Please note that this vacancy is open to nationals of South Africa, permanent residence or holders of valid work permits.

*No expectancy of renewal in accordance with UN Staff Regulation 4.5

Organizational Setting

The Finance Associate is responsible for the financial support to the unit and assigned countries in the Regional Office Shared Service Centre (ROSSC). The Finance Associate is required to ensuring that the efficiency is achieved in financial management services and the provision of accurately documented financial information, through transparent utilization and management of financial resources of the ROSSC and COs. He/she analyzes and interprets the financial rules and regulations and recommends solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues. The Finance Associate promotes a collaborative, client-oriented service approach consistent with UNFPA rules and regulations.

The Finance Associate will establish and maintain contacts with Programme Associates and Officers at Headquarters, and Country Offices as well as all staff within the Regional Office, and partners involved in the regional programme. 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.  The incumbent will respond to non-routine queries and provide explanations on matters which may be complex requiring thorough knowledge of policies and procedures of the work area.

The Finance Associate will work under the overall guidance of the International Operations Manager, and the direct supervision of 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 (2018-2021), 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:

Within the context of declining financial resources, increasingly complex political, economic and humanitarian challenges, and the need to deliver high quality rights-based results within the Agenda 2030 environment, the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office has developed a framework for strengthening UNFPA’s efficiency, effectiveness and presence in the region. The framework sets out a new structure to ensure more effective support to country offices (COs) in the region, increased operational efficiency throughout the region, strengthened coordination and support for preparedness and resilience-building in humanitarian contexts, and enhanced resource mobilization capacities. The structure will be operationalized through the Regional Operations Shared Service Centre (ROSSC) which will consolidate core operational functions in procurement, finance, ICT and administration including human resources. It is intended that COs will obtain operations service support from the ROSSC.  The Service Centre will have the capacity to provide services across all four functions to COs in the region in varying degrees based on the operational capacities that exist in each office.

The ROSSC will be responsible for financial management services including procure-to-pay services, vendor management, assigned balance sheet account reconciliations, cash transfer transactions (cash advances, expense reports and direct payments) to IPs as per Funding Authorization and Certificate of Expenditure (FACE), value added tax (VAT) management, accounts receivable application, Atlas data quality maintenance and year-end closure activities.   

The ROSSC will be responsible for procurement management services including solicitation, contract award and management. It will provide support to COs on Contract Review committee (CRC) submissions and provide oversight on local procurement activities. 

The ROSSC will also provide oversight and support to Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) quality control on assurance activities and IP capacity building and support audit preparations. The ROSSC will also provide software and corporate systems management support as well as asset, inventory, human resources and travel management services.

Given the exceptional complexity, breadth, reach and volume of the ROSSC portfolio in the area of finance and the challenges inherent in operational support both for middle income countries and the Eastern and South Africa Region as a whole, UNFPA has established the position of Finance Associate at GS7 level to provide overall financial support to the Unit.

 

Main Tasks & Responsibilities

You would be responsible for:

A.  Monitoring of financial resources

Manage and monitor the expenditure ceiling of the ROSSC and COs, both BSB and Programme funds;

Prepare financial reports on project expenditures and analytical reports on current and past expenditure trends; make recommendations on expenditure rates;

Monitor status of the Operating Fund Accounts and propose action for the timely clearance of expenditures;

Provide advice to staff on all aspects of Atlas, budgeting, and UNFPA financial rules and regulations;

Review monthly Atlas statements to ensure that expenditures have been properly recorded and that the allotments for the BSB are not exceeded; 

Participate in year-end closure activities and preparation of financial statements; and

Provide assistance in preparation of year-end assets and liabilities and balance sheet statements with report and the related working papers.

Supports the monitoring of programme financial performance for all core and non-core resources by providing necessary financial information and analysis, including implementation rate against indicators/results. Detects potential over/ under expenditure problems and proposes remedial action.

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/RO/CO on a continuous basis.

Interprets financial policies and procedures 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 Country Office budget by budget formulation, controlling allotments, monitoring expenditures, and preparing revisions according to the needs of the Country Office.

Maintains an effective financial recording and reporting system, internal control and audit follow-up, and processes financial transactions in an accurate and timely way.

Reviews and monitors charges for common services and cost recovery taking into account maximum cost efficiency and represents UNFPA’s interests in related negotiations and agreements.

Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership. 

 

Qualifications and Experience

Education: 

Completed Secondary Level Education required.

First level university degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Management or similar discipline is desirable.

Qualifications and Experience

7 years' administration-related, progressively responsible work experience of which 4 years are in finance.

United Nations experience is mandatory.

Experience in dealing with donor reports such as EU, UNF etc. 

Experience of UN accounting framework and systems, specifically Atlas / PeopleSoft.

Proficiency in use of spreadsheets, word processing and computerized accounting systems.

Good writing and communication skills.

Languages:

Fluency in English. Working knowledge of French and/or Portuguese, an advantage.

 

Required Competencies

Values:

Exemplifying integrity

Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system

Embracing diversity in all its forms

Embracing change

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

Functional Competencies:

Business acumen and ability to multi-task and balance competing priorities.

Innovation and marketing of new approaches.

Pro-activeness and client orientation.

Organizational awareness.

Job knowledge/technical expertise.

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.

 

UNFPA Work Environment

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, Embracing diversity in all its forms, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities.
 

Disclaimer

WARNING TO APPLICANTS:

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web. Should you feel that you have received a fraudulent notice, letter or offer that makes use of the name or logo of UNFPA, you may submit a report through the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm

HOW TO APPLY:

UNFPA has established an electronic application management system. This allows applicants to create a candidate profile, which can be updated regularly and submitted for more than one vacancy. Download the Step by Step Guide to Applying in the E-Recruit System of UNFPA at http://www.unfpa.org/employment. Please print out the Guide for your reference during the registration and application process. You can  click here to apply directly: https://bit.ly/2BBJPFF 

Notice: There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process.  UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.