Financial Reporting Specialist

Finance Group

The Finance Group (FG) is a critical and strategic business function in UNOPS and serves as an authoritative and integrated partner in the organization on strategic financial planning and budgeting, financial policy, practices, analysis, management services and reporting, organisational treasury and investments, internal control and enterprise risk management. As the steward of resources of a self-financing UN entity, FG is accountable for processes to ensure timely cost recovery and reporting to partners, maintaining the integrity and transparency of financial management of resources in accordance with the highest standards of ethics and organisational/international accountability framework and the accurate and transparent financial reporting to governing bodies, clients, partners and stakeholders.

The Financial Reporting Specialist reports to the Head of Financial Statements and UNBOA Relations who provides broad supervision and guidance. The Financial Reporting Specialist is responsible for efficient financial reporting and the provision of accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial information for preparation of the financial statement. He/she analyzes and interprets the financial rules and regulations and the applicable accounting standards (IPSAS) and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues. The Financial Reporting Specialist supervises support personnel and promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations.

1. CORPORATE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND AUDIT

• Prepare corporate financial statements, in compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), including all the necessary supporting schedules and notes.
• Prepare quarterly and year end analysis of corporate financial statements for management review.
• Prepare analysis and feedback to queries from internal and external stakeholders related to corporate financial statements and working files.
• Provide expert advice and support in regular book closure and year-end closure process and application of IPSAS
• Take lead in monthly, quarterly and year end closing schedule and calendar of activities.

2. FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT AND MONITORING

• Exercise periodic monitoring over transactions and account balances to ensure recording and reporting in accordance with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations and other applicable Organizational Directives and Operational Instructions.
• Take a proactive approach in identifying issues related to data quality and liaise with related parties in the organization to ensure timely and necessary corrections.
• Maintain a log of issues identified, analyze data and draw a holistic action plan to improve processes and establish necessary controls based on lessons learned.
• Contribute to developing and maintaining a strong control environment around financial reporting and the integrity of data used for preparation of corporate financial statements..
• Ensure that all deadlines applicable to book closure and reporting are met

3. INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL AUDIT

• Prepare audit related reports to be submitted to the UN Board of Auditors, UNOPS Executive Board and UNOPS management.
• Provide support to the Head of Financial Statements and Audit during Internal and External audit processes.
• Coordinate with external auditors during interim and year end audit
• Monitor, manage and take follow-up actions on both Internal and External audit recommendations with the concerned Practices in HQ and field offices

4. CAPACITY BUILDING / SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT

• Support process documentation and continuous process improvements.
• Become a subject matter expert for the Financial Reporting requirements UNOPS ERP (OneUNOPS).
• Develop innovative solutions to optimize financial processes and reduce manual work and increase automation around financial reporting
• Responsible for providing guidance and advice to finance practitioners in the area of financial accounting, interpretation and operational guidance on the application of the Accounting standards and UNOPS FRR.

REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Finance, Accounting, Financial Management or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.
• Professional certification in accounting (CA, CPA, ACCA, ACA, CIMA, etc.), audit (CIA) or equivalent desirable and considered an asset.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant working experience within an international environment in the areas of financial reporting, audit and accounting.
• A thorough knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is required.
• Excellent computer skills and ability to use software tools to present data clearly and concisely is a requirement.
• Knowledge and experience in ERP system developments and process improvements and automation is considered an asset.
• Ability to constructively challenge the status quo and communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

Language:

• Full working knowledge of English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.