Job Description

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 to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, 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 Geneva Office is part of the Global Portfolio Office (GPO), and manages one of the UNOPS largest portfolios. It provides quality services and integrated solutions to its partners in the areas of operational support (including HR, Procurement, Finance, Travel, Administration and ICT) as well as management of grants and trust funds. The Geneva Office also hosts global entities working in support of health, nutrition, humanitarian support, sustainable urban development and disaster displacement.

Under the direct supervision of the Finance Specialist and overall guidance of the Head of Finance, the Finance Senior Officer supports in ensuring efficient financial management, provision of accurate financial information and effective delivery of financial services by the finance unit. He/she supports in the analysis and interpretation of UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations, Organisation Directives, Administrative Instructions and guidance notes and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of financial issues. He/she assists in ensuring the effective and transparent utilisation of financial resources, the integrity of financial services and promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS policies. The Finance Senior Officer works in close collaboration with the programme, operations, and project teams in the portfolios,, Finance Group(FG),HQ and clients and partners ensuring successful delivery of financial services.

Functional Responsibilities

Implementation of operational strategies and support to portfolio management.
Budget preparation, financial reporting, monitoring and control.
Accounting, payments, treasury and administrative support.
Capacity building and knowledge sharing.

1. Implementation of operational strategies and support to portfolio management.

Support in the planning of financial resources for portfolios, continuous analysis, and monitoring of financial progress, as well as presentation of forecasts for the client and management of projects.
Ensure full compliance with the provisions of UNOPS FRRs, IPSAS, Organisation Directives, Administrative Instructions, and guidance notes in all financial transactions, recording, reporting, etc.
Maintain oversight of projects, programs, and portfolios to ensure compliance with internal control procedures and fiduciary standards for all financial and related transactions.
Support in the analysis and elaboration of proposals for cost-saving and reduction strategies.
Support programs in designing and formulating workplans, targets, and performance metrics.
Assist in the engagement process of entering project data into oneUNOPS, ensuring alignment with pricing policy, finalization of funding agreements, etc.
Coordinate with projects and programs in the preparation and consolidation of cash-flow forecasts, ensuring inputs are extracted from approved cash-flow plans, activity plans, and monitoring tools.
Support the finance unit and project operations and program teams in planning and coordinating audit activities, including the implementation of recommendations and conducting project closure.
Support monitoring and provide advice to projects and programs on financial status, including pending and approved budgets, available contributions for expenditure, and contributions already expended.

2. Budget preparation, financial reporting, monitoring and control

Supports the preparation of budgets and submissions, conducts regular analysis, and reports on budget and delivery progress; monitors expenditures against budget and reports on variances.
Assists portfolio teams in ensuring budgets are prepared in accordance with established procedures, ERP (oneUNOPS) protocols, and client budgetary guidelines to meet reporting requirements.
Reviews financial statements and reports issued by IPAS and FG, addressing queries and observations from project teams, funding sources, clients, and donors.
Prepares interim financial statements and management reports for approval by the Head of Finance, ensuring compliance with established reporting requirements for funding sources, donors, and clients.
Participates in identifying administrative budgetary requirements and provides guidance for budget preparation, formats, and submission procedures to facilitate consolidation at the portfolio level.
Continuously monitors budgetary allocations, maintains contact with projects, clients, and donors to enhance budget management, and takes corrective actions when necessary.
Supports monitoring of financial targets for projects and portfolios, including management budget expenditures, and assists in planning and adjusting expenditures.
Maintains communication with project staff and PG to verify, correct, add, and enhance the quality of financial activities for specific projects or portfolios, including financial reports and audits.
Conducts expenditure reconciliation and prepares various financial and statistical reports.
Discusses concerns with projects and programs as needed to ensure timely corrective actions are taken regarding budget and financial reporting aspects.

3. Accounting, payments and treasury activities

Review and confirm the appropriateness of operational transactions processed by interpreting and determining applicable UNOPS policies and Financial rules and regulations.
Review payment requests for completeness before processing, ensuring that all required documentation is complete and that all necessary procedures are fulfilled to enable payment.
Ensure payment requests are properly obligated, control supporting documentation, prepare vouchers, manage pay cycles, and enter transactions and financial data into the ERP (oneUNOPS).
Regularly monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigate anomalies or unusual transactions.
Support BSSC in banking-related activities in compliance with local financial and banking regulations, including processing bank transfers, recording miscellaneous deposits, and bank reconciliations.
Take timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including resolving budget check errors and match exceptions, and responding promptly to IPAS and FG requests to resolve financial data issues.
Assist in analyzing trends and forecasting income from projects and other sources. Support in monitoring Accounts Receivables and follow up with clients' contributions.
Conduct periodic petty cash counts, review requests for petty cash establishment before submission for approval, and review requests and expenditure reports for replenishment.
Review requests for operational advances and prepayments, ensuring complete documentation for approval, and review requests and expenditure reports for settlement/clearance or replenishment.
Ensure timely submission of compliance reports such as advances and petty cash to IPAS and FPG.
Monitor VAT accounts and liaise with project managers to ensure reimbursements and clearances. Maintain files, including electronic filing, for all financial records and documentation.
Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

4. Capacity building and knowledge sharing

Organize and conduct training sessions for project teams on application of UNOPS FRRs.
Organize and conduct training sessions for project teams on application of systems and tools.
Provide training support services to project teams in setting up projects, handling budget revisions, troubleshooting, and understanding financial transactions, reporting, and related tasks.
Communicate with colleagues, projects, and clients in areas requiring verification, corrections, additional information, etc., to improve quality and enhance the knowledge base in the process. Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in Finance.
Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice

Education/Experience/Language requirements

a. Education

An Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree of equivalent) preferably in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Management or related field is required
A first-level university degree (Bachelor`s degree or equivalent) with an additional 2 years of experience in finance, reporting, budget, accounting, auditing may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
Professional certification in accounting (CA, CPA, ACCA, ACA, CIMA, etc.), audit (CIA) or equivalent is an asset.

b. Experience

A minimum of 2 years of experience in Finance, project accounting, project budgeting and financial reporting is required.
Practical experience with UN / UNOPS financial rules, regulations and procedures in accounting, budget, reporting etc is considered an asset.
A thorough knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is considered an asset;
Good knowledge of budget management, accounting and reporting for global multi-donor and mult-partner, multi-country and regional projects and programmes;
Good knowledge with the use of ERPs and financial applications is considered an asset;
Solid computer skills, including proficiency in word processing and spreadsheets is a strong asset.

c. Languages

Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.
Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Competencies

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.

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.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of 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).

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.

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

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.

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.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)**
Contract level: ICS 9 / IICA 1
Contract duration: Open-ended.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Please note that the selected candidate may be responsible for arranging, to a standard deemed acceptable by UNOPS, secure internet connections, a laptop, and/or any equipment necessary for work (as defined by UNOPS).

** As per UNOPS policy, in duty stations where the NPO (National Professional Officer) category has been established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), the home-based contract must be issued as a Local ICA position for it to be encumbered by a national or a permanent resident holder.

Additional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.