NOTE: This is a local position based in New York, USA. Candidates must possess one of the following at the time of their application: a valid G-4 visa acquired through employment within the UN system, United States citizenship, or valid United States permanent residency.

The Position:

The Finance Associate position is part of the Finance Branch of the Division for Management Services. The Finance Branch is responsible for global finance and accounting including providing guidance and oversight for financial management to country, regional and headquarters offices. The Branch advances and owns key financial policies and processes, statutory and donor reporting, treasury services, and ensuring the ERP and related systems are configured to implement, manage, and report on key financial processes. The incumbent of this position will work in the Accounting and Payments Unit (APU) and work in close collaboration with other units of the Finance Branch as well as providing guidance and support to country  and regional offices, and payment services to headquarters units. The position reports to the Finance Specialist, Accounts and Payments Unit under the overall guidance of the Chief, Finance Branch.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies. 

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 who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

The Accounting and Payments Unit (APU) is responsible for the execution and handling of requests for global accounting adjustments, knowledge leader in the Accounts Payable (AP) and supplier management business processes (including execution of AP for headquarters and liaison offices) and implementing the financial aspects of UNFPA’s Administrative Agent function. The APU is comprised of five staff positions and functions under the oversight of the Chief, Accounts.

You would be responsible for:

1. Partnerships, Knowledge management, Communication and Training

• Actively participate in Finance Branch and team meetings.
• Maintain strong and collaborative relationships with key APU partners, including HQ units, liaison offices (ensuring business continuity support), and field offices (providing guidance on AP requirements).
• Deliver financial training and facilitate knowledge transfer across the global community, based on financial and operational procedures or guidance notes, both remotely and in the field.
• Contribute to the global financial management community facilitated by the Finance Branch.
• Support internal knowledge sharing and capacity building within the Branch.

2. Business continuity activities

• Review payment requests from HQ and liaison offices, function, ensuring compliance with UNFPA policies and completeness of supporting documentation; 
• Prepare supplier invoices (payment vouchers) in Quantum for approval and proactively follow up on pending items to prevent delays.
• Resolve invoice-related issues in coordination with HQ units, liaison offices, and Country Offices (COs).
• Liaise with the UNDP to ensure timely execution of payments, including monitoring payment cycles to identify and address delays or duplicate transactions.
• Ensure business continuity through consistent transaction processing and workload monitoring.
• Review payment requests as part of the global Administrative Agent function for compliance to UNFPA and UNSDG policy; prepare supplier invoices (payment vouchers) for approval.
• Provide technical guidance and instructions to COs and HQ colleagues on supplier setup, maintenance, and AP processes.

3. Support and guidance to offices on financial management

• Respond to Global Service Desk cases assigned to the APU team, within the purview of the role.
• Provide guidance, support and instructions on the Accounts Payable process and Supplier set up and maintenance functions to colleagues in HQ and COs.

4. Accounting, period end and year end closure activities

• Analyze and correct general ledger accounts concerning payables, perform ongoing data correction activities as part of the periodic and year end closure process.

5. Reporting and information management including Statutory and Donor Reporting

• Review system generated reports for completeness, accuracy to underlying ERP records and any issues to be resolved prior to issuance.
• Prepare financial data from the ERP system to support internal and external audit requirements.

6. Business process and systems efficiency

• Analyze system-generated reports to identify delayed or duplicate payments.
• Review AP invoice exception reports for assigned business units and ensure timely corrective actions.
• Recommend process improvements to enhance efficiency and harmonize business practices.

7. Other Duties

• Carry out any other duties as may be required by your supervisor and/or UNFPA leadership.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Completion of secondary education with experience in accounting.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• 6 years finance-related work experience - accounts payable, general ledger maintenance, etc.
• Experience in the application of IPSAS or IFRS would be advantageous.
• Proficiency in use of spreadsheets, word processing and computerized accounting systems (preferably Oracle Cloud computing).
• Strong written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to organize effectively, work under pressure with attention to detail, precision, and accuracy.

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:

• Client orientation, 
• Communication,
• Managing the organisation’s resources,
• Accounting

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. 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.