UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
Family Type
Family
Residential location (if applicable)
Grade
PR3
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
Professional
- Staff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff member’s country of nationality.
In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.
Reason
Regular > Regular Assignment
Remote work accepted
No
Target Start Date
2024-01-01
Job Posting End Date
December 21, 2023
Standard Job Description
Finance Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Regional Controller or Senior Finance Officer and in functional coordination with DFAM’s Accounts and Financial Service (AFS). In the Country or Multi-Country Offices, the incumbent may be supervised by a Senior Finance Officer, Assistant Representative (Admin), Head of Sub-Office, or other senior positions as delegated by the Representative.
The incumbent is responsible for co-ordinating, guiding, monitoring, advising on, and supporting the financial operations in the area of responsibility (AoR). With the objective to safeguard and optimize the utilization of UNHCR’s monetary and physical resources, the incumbent contributes to the establishment of efficient and reliable mechanisms and processes to ensure compliance with UN financial regulations and UNHCR’s rules, policies and procedures including, and not limited to, accounts payable and treasury processes, accounting, and implementation of internal control mechanisms, including support to oversight and audit functions.
The incumbent also identifies and manages risks under their responsibility in close coordination with the Risk Management and Compliance Advisor. In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent supports the work of the Regional Controller with authority to discuss problems and seek common ground on which to recommend solutions based on predetermined guidelines provided by higher authority.
The incumbent may directly supervise professional and general service staff.
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
- Oversee and guide integrated financial management and reporting for the area of responsibility (AoR).
- Assess, review, and ensure application of finance-related policies, instructions, procedures, etc.
- Provide advice to management regarding the application of financial policies and procedures and, when necessary, coordinate with the Regional Controller or Office of the Controller, as applicable, regarding the interpretation of such policies and procedures.
- Ensure accounting records are correct and reliable, including’ and not limited to timely bank reconciliations, maintenance of open items, timely processing of travel financial transactions, clearance of residual requisitions and purchase order balance.
- In close coordination with the AFS, support the preparation and review of donor financial reports, and endorse such reports before submission to donors.
- Ensure monthly and yearly closing as well as any other periodic accounting-related processes are executed in a timely and accurate manner.
- Ensure the maintenance and on-going validity of the Delegation of Authority Plan (DOAP).
- Ensure that payments made are timely and accurately, and all month-end and year-end cut-off processes are implemented in line with relevant guidance.
- Supervise the preparation of financial reports, monitoring and supervising expenditures with respect to approved budgets and work plans.
- Ensure that local bank account administration and associated cash management functions are performed in adherence to financial guidelines
- Perform financial management and control related to Cash-Based Interventions in adherence to financial guidelines.
- Review and certify vouchers, including ABOD and project disbursements;
- Perform project control functions for both directly and indirectly implemented activities, in the absence of a dedicated project control position
- Coordinate, review and endorse responses to audit queries from internal and external audits and ensure the implementation of accounting audit recommendations.
- 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 relevant duties as required.
Regional financial services applicable to positions in the Regional Bureau only
- In coordination with relevant services in HQ, and to improve cost-effectiveness and process efficiency for operations, implement and manage regional finance-related services such as: vendor and other related master data management and maintenance, invoice posting, travel claim processing, payments, bank reconciliations, accounting housekeeping and period cut-off activities, donor financial reporting, etc.
- Make proposals for the continuous improvement of financial monitoring and control mechanisms, including the streamlining of financial systems and procedures.
- In coordination with DFAM’s Change Management and Field Support Section and the Global Learning and Development Centre, identify and provide training on accounting matters, and recommend or develop training modules as necessary, aiming at the development of financial management skills.
- In close liaison with DFAM’s System Administration Section and other divisions as necessary, provide and plan activities for rollout of new processes or systems; assist the Regional Controller in monitoring the implementing internal control mechanisms and compliance with UNHCR’s financial policies and procedures in the region.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P3/NOC – 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Accounting; Finance; Public or Business Administration;
Economics; or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Professional accounting, auditing or financial management designation (CPA/ACCA/CIA/CMA or equivalent)
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Work experience in the field of accounting/finance, project management, business analysis, quality assurance and/or risk management. Excellent knowledge of, and experience in working with, international accounting and auditing standards, with a minimum of two years of practical experience in the audit process and/or in financial statements preparation. Working experience with accrual accounting (such as IPSAS or IFRS). Excellent understanding and/or experience of financial modules a major Enterprise Resource Planning system (such as PeopleSoft, SAP or Oracle). Good understanding of project and resource management. Excellent computer skills, in particular in MS Office applications, especially MS-excel. Excellent communication and negotiation skills. Experience of managing people in multinational/multicultural environments.
Desirable
Good knowledge of UNHCR systems (such as Focus and MSRP). Excellent knowledge of United Nations financial rules and procedures.
Functional Skills
FI-General Financial Management
FI-Financial auditing
FI-International Auditing Standards
FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc)
FI-Financial Accounting – Modified cash-based accounting as per international standards
(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
Ideally the candidate should have:
Advanced University Degree in Business Administration or Finance, or related fields.
The desired candidate profile consists of demonstrating proven experience in global Treasury and Risk Management skills, knowledge, and in the delivery of highly specialized treasury competencies: UNHCR’s core banking functions, digital wallets and payments protocols, financial transactions compliance, data analytics and access to open banking financial services. This includes the delivery of humanitarian aid cash assistance, payment modalities and mechanisms to reach aid recipients.
- Proficiency in English, including strong drafting skills.
- Advanced University Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Accounting or related field;
- Minimum 5 years of previous job experience in the centralized treasury operations, global core banking and cash management, digital value transfer modalities, related treasury risk management, including integrated structuring of payment modalities for the delivery of humanitarian aid assistance;
- Proven experience in overseeing integrated transactional global cash management and payments, use integrated treasury management systems, processes and procedures in a worldwide context; global banking relationships; mobile payments, digital wallets.
- Relevant experience acquired in global liquidity management, foreign currency exchanges and global multi-currency requirements.
- Demonstrate proven skills, knowledge and experience in applying best practices in global banking and cash management, as well as humanitarian aid cash-based initiatives delivery, and applying treasury risk mitigation measures.
- Knowledge and demonstrated expertise of Treasury Management Systems with specific emphasis of integration and automation to cash management and reconciliation, accounting systems and banking transactional systems.
- Experience in ERP systems (preferably Oracle Cloud ERP), Treasury Management Systems (TMS), including expertise in executing financial instruments transactions, in compliance with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
- Working knowledge of Regulatory Sanctions compliance, KYC and Anti-Money Laundering due diligence.
- Woking knowledge of UN Financial Regulations and Rules, systems, and procedures.
- Proficiency in English, including strong drafting skills.
Additional factors to highlight:
- Demonstrated relationship and team building, possesses coordination and managerial qualities in organizing work effectively in a multicultural setting.
- Demonstrate outstanding communication skills, taking initiative, with strong technical and functional abilities and providing sound assessment and judgement.
- Contributing to effective team development and providing guidance in a team setting.
- Exposure to UN field operations, and humanitarian operations.
- Working knowledge of French.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
French
,
,
Operational context
Nature of Position
The Finance Officer directly reports to Assistant Treasurer (P5) of Treasury and Cash Service (TCS) , within the Division for Financial and Administrative Management (DFAM). The Treasury and Cash Service develops functional-related Liquidity and Investment policies, and manages Treasury Management Systems, processes, and procedures to globally optimize availability of liquidity to UNHCR Operations in 130 countries. Overall, Treasury provides Core Treasury and Risk Management services in liquidity, foreign exchange and investment (short-term and long-term). The position covers the assessment and review of UNHCR’s global financial service provision to access worldwide the financial ecosystem, in adherence with regulatory requirements. Treasury provides integration using next generation of digital financial technology, selecting financial services providers, assessing custody structures, as well as reviewing engagement with investment managers. TCS functional and technical execution is conducted in alignment with Treasury and Risk Management guidelines, including with investment guidelines, applying best practices in Treasury Management, in compliance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the Organization. Treasury Management Systems (TMS) together with the Digital Hub of Treasury Solutions (DHoTS) are directly managed by TCS. Treasury ensures overall cashflow requirements for the Organization are met, and systems integrations are upheld to the financial ecosystems and financial institutions. This requires using related treasury technology to automate global real-time liquidity management, providing automated cash flow forecasting across the Organization, from contributions receipts to disbursements, and assessing UNHCR’s global cashflow positioning. Treasury and Cash Service is managing all financial aspects of Cash Based Interventions (CBI) as the business owner of the CBI Financial Administrative Instructions and Policy, together with Financial Control Framework to embed the delivery of CBI operational strategy, together with systematically validating reporting governance together with requirements related financial CBI structure requirements in systems, processes and procedures by identifying potential risks and gaps. UNHCR’s payment traffic requires thorough review and management of payments related to the economic sanctions and financial compliance regimes, hence the constant monitoring and reviewing the payments to be in line with UN and major countries’ sanction controls need to be implemented.
Additional factors to highlight:
- Contributing to effective team development and providing guidance to junior staff.
- Exposure to UN field operations, and humanitarian operations.
Skills
Additional Qualifications
Education
Bachelor of Arts (BA): Accounting, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Finance, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Public Administration
Certifications
Accounting – Other, Auditing – Other, Financial Management – Other
Work Experience
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Managing resource, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Add. 2 to Bi-annual Compendium 2023 – Part B
Additional Information
Functional clearance
This position requires Functional Clearance
To apply for this job please visit unhcr.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com.