Assistant Finance Officer (N) at UNHCR

Target Start Date

2025-01-01

Deadline for Applications

November 28, 2024

Standard Job Description

Assistant Finance Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant Finance Officer provides technical support with the processing of financial transactions, and monitors compliance with UNHCR and UN Financial Regulations and Rules.

In operations that do not have a Project Control Officer at Country or Multi-Country level the Assistant Finance Officer must also perform oversight responsibilities with regard to the execution of projects.

The incumbent directly supervises general service staff.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Contribute to the assessment of budgetary needs for administrative budgets (ABOD); monitor and control ABOD expenditure in the office.
• Analyze, evaluate and control disbursements/receipts, as well as expenditure variances against approved budgets.
• Review vouchers, including ABOD and project disbursements.
• Propose monthly cash requirements for the office, and ensure adequate and timely replenishments of funds;
• Contribute to the preparation and processing of monthly accounts.
• Provide financial status reports to supervisors.
• Analyze and evaluate financial reports within the area of responsibility on a regular basis.
• Maintain relationships with local bank at the transactional level.
• Ensure that payments are effectuated by the monthly deadline.
• Ensure that monthly accounts are correct and approved, and ensure timely monthly bank reconciliations, including open items, review and clearance of unwanted requisitions and PO balances.
• Conduct regular checks of petty cash and cash accounts.
• Verify that all financial transactions are correct and in accordance with UNHCR rules and procedures.
• Prepare office-level financial expenditure reports submitted to the Regional Bureau or Headquarters.
• Approve vouchers, including ABOD and project disbursements.
• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Accounting; Finance; Public Administratin
Business Administration; Economics; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Internal Auditor (CIA) Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Excellent computer skills, in particular in MS Office applications. Excellent communication skills.

Desirable
Working experience of at least one year in an intergovernmental organization (United Nations or similar). Good knowledge of United Nations financial rules and procedures. Good understanding of accrual accounting (such as IPSAS or IFRS). Working experience with PeopleSoft/Oracle Financial modules.

Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
*FI-Financial Accounting - Modified cash-based accounting as per international standards
FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc)
FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other)
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile

The incumbent should have extensive financial experience preferably with UN/UNHCR demonstrating understanding of the fundamentals of Admin processes which complements Finance. S/he is expected to be highly flexible and able to cope with multiple requests and be able to support the Admin Officer with preparing/monitoring the administrative budget, assessment of budgetary needs and auditing finance processes. The incumbent should have general understanding of accrual accounting (such as IPSAS or IFRS) as well as working experience with PeopleSoft/Oracle Financial modules. Good grasp of Procure-to-Pay process including experience in working with requisitions, purchase orders and vendor database in finance systems would complement the essential skills.

Due to the nature of work, s/he must have proven cultural flexibility, professionalism, integrity, confidentiality and respect for diversity. S/he must have analytical thinking, excellent planning and organizational skills, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, be a quick learner, provide high quality work within deadlines as well as have excellent drafting skills.

Essential:

• Excellent English skills (both written and verbal are essential).
• Knowledge of UNHCR/UN Admin/Finance processes and policies.
• Excellent knowledge of data analysis tools including Microsoft Excel.
• Experience in managing office administration.
• Experience in managing finance and related budgets.

Desirable:

• Experience using digital Admin/Finance tools: oracle, workday, etc.
• Experience in personnel administration would be an added advantage.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other), FI-Financial Accounting - Modified cash-based accounting as per international standards, FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc), IT-Computer Literacy

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Accounting, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Finance, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Public Professions

Certifications

Certified Public Accountant - Other, Internal Auditor - Other

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Managing resource, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

Functional clearance

This position requires Functional Clearance