Finance Associate; Humanitarian Response Division, G-6, Geneva (34178)

Note: Internal staff on abolished posts will be prioritized in line with UN Staff Rules

The Position:

The Finance Associate is in the Operations Team of the Administration and Management Support Unit, of the Humanitarian Response Division, based in Geneva. The incumbent will work under the day-to-day guidance and supervision of the Operations Specialist. S/he works within an integrated, coordinated, and systems strengthening approach which is fundamental to the HRD and UNFPA’s overall strategy.

The Finance Associate delivers effective financial advice and services to internal and external clients, providing finance related guidance to both HRD and UNFPA supported projects. The incumbent will deliver quality financial services and apply finance-related guidelines, processes and procedures. 

The position reports directly to the Operations 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 strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

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 overall purpose of the Humanitarian Response Division (HRD) is to facilitate the delivery of the UNFPA mandate by leading emergency response and supporting humanitarian preparedness actions in increasingly complex humanitarian situations, within globally agreed frameworks (2030 Agenda, Grand Bargain Commitments, Sendai Framework, etc.). The HRD leads in leveraging and increasing effectiveness, efficiency and capacity of UNFPA staff and partners to scale up UNFPA's role as a key global humanitarian leader. Through the Inter-Agency Standing Committee for Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (IASC) and other associated entities, the HRD acts as a point of convergence on humanitarian activities, including policy, coordination, programming, advocacy, field capacity development, resource mobilization, innovation, partnerships, technical guidance and,  crucially, thematic integration, ensuring complementarity between humanitarian and development action within the organization.

HRD advocates among humanitarian agencies to include sexual and reproductive health and rights needs and sexual and gender-based violence prevention and response needs and humanitarian concerns and specific needs of women, adolescents and young people into the overall humanitarian preparedness and response frameworks. The HRD facilitates the development of UNFPA capacities to prepare and respond to the emergencies and to ensure the Agency is well equipped to deal with the context of fragility and disaster risk reduction.

In support of UNFPA’s strategic directions, the Finance Associate contributes to building Division capacity and ensuring effective and efficient application of core and non-core resources through providing quality support to recording and reporting of accurate and reliable financial data and information in a timely manner with required quality checks, in line with UNFPA guidelines and procedures. The Finance Associate promotes a client, quality and results-oriented approach.

Possessing a depth of knowledge of UNFPA financial regulations, rules, guidelines, and processes, you will demonstrate a client-oriented, results-focused approach to interpreting rules, procedures and guidelines.  You will act in an advisory manner to programme / project personnel to maximize the impact of financial resources in delivering programmes / projects.

You will provide quality support to ensure accurate and reliable financial data and information are available and reported in a timely manner with required quality checks, in line with UNFPA guidelines and procedures.

You would be responsible for:

1. Supporting the monitoring of programme financial performance, by providing necessary financial information and analysis, including implementation rate against indicators/results; detecting potential over/under expenditure problems and proposing remedial action
2. Developing effective mechanisms for monitoring programme and project budgets; coordinating compilation of financial data; and regularly providing accurate, up to date financial information to Country Offices, Regional Offices
3. Interpreting financial policies and procedures and providing training and guidance to staff and project personnel as well as with finance and banking related matters, and answer related queries. Striving to identify innovative ways in which programme financial needs can be met within existing policies
4. Assisting in the management of the HRD budgets, by budget formulation, controlling allotments, monitoring expenditures, and preparing revisions as required
5. Draft accurate donor financial report in collaboration with programme team, as required by donors
6. Maintaining an effective financial recording and reporting system, internal control and both NEX/HACT and Office of Audit and Investigation Services (OAIS) internal audit follow-up
7. Review payment requests, ensuring accuracy of computation, chart of accounts, completeness of documentations required as per established procedures and cost are within the approved limits, process payments in an accurate and timely way, and monitor and ensure payments are actually affected.
8. Reviewing and monitoring charges for common premises, services and cost recovery, taking into account maximum cost efficiency; representing UNFPA’s interests in financial negotiations and agreements
9. Preparation of monthly, quarterly accountability checklists and year-end certifications to ensure green dashboard for the office
10. Assist in review and assessment of reported amounts on FACE forms (Funding authorization and certificate of expenditures), cash advances, follow up on aged OFA (Operating Fund Accounts), conduct necessary reconciliations.
11. Assist in the effective monitoring and follow up of funds transferred to Implementing Partners (IPs) through National Implementation (NEX) modality. Ensure that financial transactions of implementing partners are processed in an accurate and timely way by reviewing supporting documents and ensuring that advances and expenditures are in accordance with relevant policies and procedures. 
12. Review the IPs’ internal controls with respect to financial management, procurement and/or other controls required to implement the activities defined in the work plan; and reviewing expenditures to confirm that documentation supports the expenditures and that they are in accordance with the work plan, project document and other UNFPA’s regulations, as applicable. 
13. Assist Operation Specialist in implementation of audit recommendations and improvement of overall office compliance and accountability, including assessment and implementation of operation risks and fraud mitigation in line with enterprise risk management framework. 
14. Performing other duties as required by the management to ensure seamless financial and administrative support to the office.
15. Serve as a backup to the Admin/Finance Associate and other support functions. 
16. Carrying out other administrative tasks as may be assigned.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Completed Secondary Level Education required. First level university degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Public Administration or similar discipline desirable.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Six years of relevant experience in administration, finance or office management is required.
• Proficiency in current office software applications, web-based management and ERP financial systems is required.
• Proven experience and track record in successfully managing and implementing financial policies, processes and systems in development organizations or private sector.
• Ability to produce analytical reports and write clearly and concisely.
• Working experience with UN organization is desirable.
  
   

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required. 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

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:

• Managing the organization’s financial resources
• Implementing management systems
• Fraud and operational risks management
• Business acumen and ability to multi-task and balance competing priorities. Innovation and marketing of new approaches.
• Pro-activeness and client orientation

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:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance 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. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.