Background Information – UNOPS

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management, and human resources.

Working with us

We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

Background Information – Afghanistan

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.

Background Information – Job-specific

Project Information 

Following the political turnaround in Afghanistan in August 2021, the subsequent economic collapse  has led to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis putting over 24 million people in immediate need of  aid. To provide immediate short-term livelihood opportunities and deliver urgent essential services in  rural and urban areas, UNOPS is implementing a community resilience program funded  through the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) and administered by the World Bank (WB).

It is estimated that 1.1 million households, or 7.5 million Afghans, will receive livelihoods and income  support through this project. In addition, 9 million Afghans in some 6,200 rural communities and 8 cities  will benefit from improved access to essential social services through strengthening the capacity of  community institutions in inclusive service delivery.

Under the direct supervision of the functional supervisor who reports to the Sr. Finance Officer, the Finance Associate will provide project financial and administrative support to the timely processing, recording, monitoring, and maintaining of financial transactions and accounts relating to payments and receipts in accordance with UNOPS’ financial rules, regulations, policies, and processes.

 Functional Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

1. Administration of project budgets and cost systems
2. Project accounting and payments
3. Project cash management
4. Knowledge building and Knowledge sharing

1. Administration of budgets 

Ensures administration of budgets and functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Preparation and modifications of budgets for CRLP projects,
• Presentation of researched information for planning and status of project’s financial resources
• Provision of inputs for implementation of project cost-saving and reduction strategies in consultation with the project management.
• Preparation of cost sharing agreements, follow up on contributions within the project’s resource mobilization efforts

2. Project accounting and payments processing

Project accounting and payments functions focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Proper control of the supporting documents for project payments and financial reports; preparation of all types of vouchers and payments execution for CRLP CTG contract holders.
• Maintenance of the project’s internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, timely corrective actions on unposted voucher taken, including those with budget check errors, match exceptions and unapproved vouchers; transactions are correctly recorded and posted
• Review of project payment requests including supporting documents against the annual work plan.
• Timely project accounts closure
• Timely response to HQ requests to resolve project financial data issues.
• Timely corrective actions on erroneous project data in the Enterprise system. Preparation of project financial reports as required such as IUFR.
• Timely reimbursements, payments of costs to Facilitating Partners.
• Preparation of project payment of vouchers.
• Processing of RFPs in One UNOPS
• Verification of expenditure in project MIS
• Preparing project expenditure reports and payments certificate
• Filling, & scanning of project finance documents.
• Reconciliation of Facilitating Partners expenditure documents.
• Administer project operational advances, reconciliations, and replenishments, as follows:
• Liaise with programme officers and conduct necessary project visits to obtain all certified documents evidencing the completion of an activity, incurring of expenditure and identity of the party/vendor;
• Verify and monitor the accuracy of the statements and work plan compliance to provide replenishment of operational advance
• Collect all certified supporting documents, signatures, names and other particulars of the beneficiaries in receipt claims / reimbursements;
• Reconcile the available balance of operational advance with the balance shown in the operational advance ledger;
• Where authorized, request replenishment of operational advance upon receipt of relevant original documents and other evidence, and performing a reconciliation of the figures, beneficiaries, work plan and budget;
• Ensure refund of the balance of operational advance cash in hand.

3. Project cash management

• Alternate to the Senior Finance Associate for timely review of project cash position to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements.
• Timely and accurate preparation of bank reconciliations of Facilitating Partners escrow accounts.
• Timely preparation of monthly project cash flow forecast for use by the Finance Officer. Liaison with clients to obtain estimates of their cash requirement.
• Management of project operational advances after submission of the reconciliation and settlement of the previous advances.

4. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for project personnel on finance-related topics.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in human resources.
• Contribute feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.
• As Key Business User provides project financial management support in the financial management module of Enterprise system to project personnel.

Impact of Results

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Finance Associate directly impacts the efficient and effective management of project financial resources, demonstrating UNOPS’ effective stewardship of donor and partner funds. These promote the credibility of the organization as an effective service provider in project services and management.

[please insert text on the functional responsibilities]

 Education/Experience/Language requirementsa. Formation

• Completion of secondary school is required.
• CPA, first University Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or equivalent disciplines is desirable but not required.
• Relevant certification in financial management or accounting a distinct advantage.

b. Experience

• Minimum of 6 years of relevant working experience within the areas of finance, accounting, business administration or related field is required.
• Knowledge of UNOPS financial rules and regulations; working knowledge of ERP (particularly Agresso),
• Experience with MS Office 2003/or newer versions and Google Suite, and financial management, using electronic systems, environment and desired.
• Some experience in UN system organizations is desirable.

c.  Languages

• Full knowledge of the working language is essential (English).
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

Please click on the below link for actual vacancy announcement to see the complete details and submission guideline as this is only an attempt for attracting female applicants for gender parity in organization. Please make sure you fill your profile/application properly with all relevant details in order to be considered for the next stage of recruitment/selection.

https://jobs.unops.org/pages/viewvacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=28318

https://jobs.unops.org/pages/viewvacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=28318