Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

Gender inequality in Papua New Guinea is severe, with the country ranked 169 out of 170 globally. Women and girls face high rates of gender-based violence (GBV) and low literacy levels. The DHS 2016-2018 indicates that 54% of women have experienced GBV in the past year, and nearly 23% of women aged 15-49 have no formal education.  Structural barriers, cultural norms, and weak protection systems worsen the situation. Tribal conflicts, sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV), and small arms proliferation, especially in the Highlands, increase violence. Despite policies to reduce discrimination, comprehensive strategies are urgently needed to address these issues and achieve gender equality. Additionally, ongoing conflicts have displaced communities, further exacerbating GBV incidents. The persistence of these challenges highlights the critical need for targeted interventions to promote social stability and human rights and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly 05 on gender equality, 10 Reduce Inequality and 16 Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions.

Building on the gains of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Papua New Guinea (PNG), UN Women, UNFPA and UNOPS (Agencies) are starting a joint initiative entitled “Soim Wokabaut: Gender-Based Violence Referral Pathways Programme”, financed under the Neighborhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI Global Europe).  The joint programme aims to reduce the incidence of GBV in communities in target provinces, including in and out of schools (Eastern Highlands and the National Capital District).  This will capitalize on existing programmes addressing specific forms of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHRs) while supporting prevention and protection efforts for GBV survivors, strengthening access to justice, and ending violence against women and girls at national, provincial, district, and community levels.  It seeks to scale up effective integrated approaches to deliver quality coordinated services, strengthen referral pathways, mobilize communities and networks to address harmful gender and social norms fueling GBV and SARV and promote implementation of laws and policies to reduce GBV and SARV while mobilizing national, provincial and community leadership on the programme’s investments to enhance sustainability. 

The joint programme’s specific objectives are: 1. To increase access of women, men, girls and boys in all their diversity, experiencing gender-based violence, to essential quality services, protection and justice. 2. To improve advocacy and agency of civil society organisations, women’s rights organisations, social movements and communities to end gender-based violence (GBV).  3. To make more effective the engagement of community leaders, male advocates and influential groups and actors in society in changing discriminatory social norms, gender stereotypes, GBV and harmful practices.

Within the Soim Wokabaut, UN Women leads as the Administrative Agent under the overall leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator in PNG. Under the overall guidance of the Operations Manager, the daily supervision of the Programme Technical Coordinator and close collaboration with the implementing agencies, the Finance and Administration Associate is responsible for the execution of a wide range of financial services and administrative processes for Soim Wokabaut program in the PNG country office, ensuring timeliness, efficiency and transparent use of financial resources and delivery of services in accordance with organisational financial rules, regulations, policies, procedures and approved allocations. The Finance and Administration Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UN Women rules and regulations, standard practices and guidelines. 

Under the overall direct supervision of the Operations Manager and overall guidance of the Programme Technical Coordinator, the Programme Finance Associate will provide support with financial Management, budget monitoring and reporting of the Soim Wokabaut program, including for all Responsible UN Agencies (UN Women, UNFPA and UNNOPs).  The incumbent will work in collaboration with Finance focal persons of other UN Agencies in close collaboration with the Finance Specialist from the UN Women Brussels Office for solving complex finance-related issues and information delivery of the Soim Wokabaut program. 

Scope of Work :

1-Implement financial strategies, and adapt processes and procedures in full compliance of UN rules, regulations, policies, and recording and reporting systems     

• Perform duties in full compliance with UN financial regulations and rules, policies and standard operating procedures, including internal controls;
• Review and verify financial transactions, activities, and documentation; taking corrective actions as needed and reporting any unusual activities; 
• Monitor financial exceptions reports for unusual activities or transaction, investigate anomalies and report to the supervisor conclusions and/or present recommendations for actions/decisions;
• Collect, verify and present information and data for use in the planning of financial resources and the formulation of the programme work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements and execution modalities;
• Provide assistance with Annual Work Plan entry in Results Management System (RMS) as required.
• Provide advice and recommend solutions to a wide range of financial issues;
• Implement and monitor cost saving and reduction strategies;
• Review with the responsible UN Agency focal points , in line with Month-end Closure Checklist, the Project Delivery Status Reports and investigate any overspend;
• Respond to instructions from the Operations Manager or Finance Section in relation to financial transactions. Undertake timely corrective actions as requested by Finance Section to resolve financial data issues or provide information;
• Participate as a member of the internal and external audits of the PNG Country Office.
• Follow-up on audit recommendations to monitor implementation of corrective actions;
• Actively promote a client-oriented finance service

2-Prepare and administer the Soim Wokabaut Programme budgets in full compliance of UN rules, regulations, policies, and recording and reporting systems

• Formulate the budget, control allotments, monitor expenditures, and prepare revisions according to the needs of the Soim Wokabaut programme  in PNG;
• Track the appropriate and timely use of financial resources by RUNOs and provide guidance on acceleration measures where delivery is low;
• Prepare cost recovery documents or bills for the services provided by the UN to other programmes or organizations;
• Ensure the maintenance of the control mechanism for development projects through monitoring budgets preparation and modifications and budgetary status;
• Maintain internal expenditure control system;
• Undertake corrective actions on un-posted vouchers, including vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions and unapproved vouchers. Frequently review and investigate payment vouchers which are in error; and respond to Soim Wokabaut requests to resolve financial data issues;
• Prepare VAT reimbursements with adequate documentation support, as necessary; 
• Assist Responsible UN Agencies’ focal points with budget re-phrasal and or budget revisions as required.

3-Provide finance support to the Soim Wokabaut Programme

• Review accounts receivables for the Soim Wokabaut and follow-up with the Responsible UN focal points and their finance Associates on contributions;
• Prepare PO and non-PO vouchers for development projects as desired;
• Prepare Correction of Expenditurefrom proper supporting documents authorized by the Responsible UN Agencies;
• Review transactions in Quantum, ensure payroll, travel claims, and other entitlements of the program are processed accurately;
• In collaboration with Finance focal points from Responsible UN Agencies, monitor each month budgets and update on delivery during the monthly program meetings with focal points from relevant UN Agencies;
• Monitor regularly transactions posted to projects ensuring actual expenditure has been recorded against correct budget category and activity, take timely corrective actions as required;
• Maintain proper follow up of advances to implementing partners, review their financial reports together with project managers;
• Monitor the financial status and under the guidance of the Operations Manager/Finance Associate, implement control mechanisms for management/development projects;
• Monitor and proper follow up of all the financial items in Month-end and Year-end closure instructions status and under the guidance of the Operations Manager, take correction actions as required;
• Keep stakeholders and clients informed for timely actions/decisions and review status reports for quality control;
• Provide information inputs to financial reports for PNG Country Office, donors and stakeholders;
• Coordinate with Virtual Global Service Center and EU finance specialist on the requested item to finalize the mandated financial reports to donors and other clients and stakeholders;
• Associate revenue and expenditure in commitment control for non-core projects.
• Provide inputs and take necessary actions to facilitate timely financial project closure;
• Assist with preparation for Audit of Projects and Partners by third party audit firm. Follow-up and/or act on audit recommendations to ensure implementation of corrective actions. Assist in reviewing the audit reports on NGO executed projects. 

4-Provide administrative support to Resource Mobilization

• Compile and process information from donors, and the programme team, as inputs to various databases and documents; 
• Prepare drafts for cost sharing agreements including conditions of contributions within resource mobilization efforts, adhering to standard agreements where possible. 

5-Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Conduct training and/or helping organize training events and activities;
• Collect and compile lessons learned and best practices in financial management and services. Disseminate to clients and stakeholders as appropriate to build capacity and knowledge;
• Contribute to financial business operational practices and management innovations;
• Undertake all training in relation to financial management provided, including webinars from headquarters.

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of financial rules and regulations and accounting principles;  
• Strong knowledge and application skills of IT tools and understanding of management systems;   
• Strong knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages; 
• Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems; 

Ability to administer and execute financial and accounting processes and transactions. 

Minimum Qualifications :

Education and Certification :

• Completion of secondary education is required;
• Specialized national or international certification in accounting and finance is an asset;
• Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting is desirable;
• Successful completion of UN Women Accounting and Finance Test is required as part of the selection process. 

Experience :

• At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in finance is required;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required;
• Experience in the use of a modern web-based ERP System, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable. 

Languages :

• Fluency in English and Tok Pisin is required;
• Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset.

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.