Project Management Support Associate (Liaison)

1. Background Information: UNOPS

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. UNOPS supports partners in building a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of peace-building and humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

UNOPS Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. UNOPS AFCO activities currently cover a range of sectors, including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services at all times, in all places, and in all circumstances in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.

Job-Specific Information

UNOPS is seeking a Finance Associate to assist in various tasks related to the financial verification of the claims for payments in reference to the above project description. The incumbent will be supervised by the Project Management Support Specialist (Liaison) in coordination with the Project Management Support Specialist (Finance) and will assist in performing the following key functions:

2. Job Responsibilities

Verification of Claims and Pending Payments

1. Assist in verification of claims received from contractors/consultants/suppliers by checking supporting documents for the claimed amounts.

2. Assist in the reconciliation of unliquidated balances with the fund balances as per bank statements of the advance accounts available in the banks and identification of any withdrawals or cash movements in the advance accounts after freeze periods.

3. Assist in determining the eligible amounts for liquidation against the project's advance accounts after verifying supporting documents for the payments made from the project's advance accounts

4. Assist in verifying the pending liabilities against the advance accounts, including PMO salaries, individual consultants’ claims and other PMO expenses.

5. Assist in tabulating data for financial analysis related to claims and pending payments.

6. In collaboration with the VCEP’s safeguard team, verify the compensation payments made to the project's affected people against environmental and social safeguards.

Reporting and Coordination 

7.Interact with other functional teams to follow up on the pending information requests sent to contractors/consultants/suppliers, EAs/IAs and the donor.
8. Coordinate with the de facto Ministry of Finance and the relevant line ministries for the collection of information/documents and organize the information and documents received from different sources.
9. Assist in organizing meetings with the de facto Ministry of Finance and relevant line ministries.
10. Assist in interpretation of data collected in order to contextualize them and avoid misunderstanding.

11. Assist in organizing meetings with other functional teams, e.g., sector teams, support services, contracts management, legal, etc., and external entities upon supervisor’s instruction.

Knowledge Management and Innovation

12. Ensure that supporting documents for all payments to contractors/suppliers/consultants are maintained in an organized manner.

13. Contribute to knowledge management activities to ensure that project experiences and learning are documented.

Please note that the nature of this role requires flexibility in adapting to the team’s needs since the objective of aligning Contract details, local situations and habits, local law, and other factors might generate unexpected needs.

3. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education

● A minimum of 6 years of relevant work experience in Finance, Management, Business/Public Administration, or any other relevant discipline or first level University degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in Finance, Management, Business/Public Administration, or other relevant discipline in combination with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of first level university degree.

b. Work Experience

● with completion of secondary education, a minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in finance, accounting and/or auditing is required.

● Experience in the financial accounting component of claims, contract variations, liquidation of expenses, and certification of works or equivalent is an asset.

● An understanding of current DFA structures is an asset.

● Experience in working with international development sector organizations is an asset.

c. Languages

● Fluent in English (reading, writing and speaking) is required.

● Knowledge of any other UN languages is an asset.

● Knowledge of local and regional languages is an asset.

Project Management Support Specialist - (Liaison)

Integrity & Inclusion: Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Leading Self and others: Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Partnership: Demonstrates understanding of the impact of one's own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Result Orientation: Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Agility: Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts one’ own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behaviour. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Solution Focused: Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Effective Communication: Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

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