Organization: UNHCR – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Location: Nairobi | Dadaab | Kakuma
Grade: Administrative support – GS-5/GS-6, General Service – No need for Higher Education – Locally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
Operations and Administrations
Administrative support
Banking and Finance
Closing Date: 2024-11-28
Hardship Level
B
Family Type
Family
Family Type
Family
Residential location (if applicable)
Grade
GS5
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
General Service
Reason
Regular > Regular Assignment
Remote work accepted
No
Target Start Date
2025-04-01
Deadline for Applications
November 28, 2024
Standard Job Description
Senior Finance Assistant
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Finance Assistant is normally supervised by a more senior finance colleague who defines work objectives and provides regular advice and guidance. The incumbent also refers to UNHCR Manuals and relevant policy papers on financial issues.
The incumbent assists with the processing of financial transactions. S/he keeps frequent contact with staff at various levels in the office and with bank officials to exchange information.
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
– Maintain financial records for project or other office accounts for which responsibility is assigned.
– Record receipts and payments, assure accuracy of computation and completeness of documents and maintain continuing status of allotments against obligations.
– Prepare recurring reports on assigned accounts, noting problems resulting from excess cost or less-than-expected receipts.
– Prepare special reports to clarify problems or as requested for other reasons.
– Calculate and compile cost estimates and projected budget requirements and assist in preparation of budget statements for area of assignment.
– Prepare routine correspondence and maintain contracts with others to discuss matters concerning accounts and related assignments.
– Maintain contacts with local banks to clarify questions pertaining to office bank accounts.
– Brief and assist new staff on basic financial procedures and requirements with respect to payments, entitlements, banking and currency provisions and other requirements relating to accounts and finance.
– Initiate correspondence to verify data, answer queries and obtain additional information on accounts and financial transactions, as required.
– 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
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G5 – 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable
Certificates and/or Licenses
Accounting; Business Administration; Finance; HCR Learning Prog;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified
Desirable
Not specified
Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other)
IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
(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 candidate is required to possess good analytical skills as Finance work entails use of figures to a large extent. The applicant should have participated in processing of financial transactions, notably processing of payments after review of key supporting documents required before creating a payment. Knowledge in Finance ERP systems is necessary.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
Nature of Position:
Kenya remains the fifth largest host country in Africa and the thirteenth biggest asylum country in the world. The total number of refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya stands at approx. 800,000, in addition to some 8,000 stateless persons. UNHCR Kenya Operation maintains three main offices as follows: Representation Office in Nairobi, Two sub-offices in Kakuma and Dadaab. A Joint Refugee Service Centre has also been established, operated jointly with the Department of Refugee Services, to provide all protection services to affected populations in Nairobi.
Under the direct supervision of the Associate Finance Officer who defines general work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance, the incumbent will assist with the processing of financial transactions. The candidate will also support the Cash Based Interventions (CBI) Unit in processing payments to various beneficiaries. The incumbent will be required to maintain close contact/liaison and cooperation with Finance counterparts in field offices (Dadaab and Kakuma) as well as Regional Bureau and Somalia Office in cash management and other relevant areas.
Living and Working Conditions:
Additional Qualifications
Skills
FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other), IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
Education
Certifications
Accounting – Other, Business Administration – Other, Finance – Other, HCR Learning Program – UNHCR
Work Experience
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Additional Information
Functional clearance
This position doesn’t require a functional clearance