Head, Field Finance Office, P-4, Gaza

Org. Setting and Reporting UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. The Head of Field Finance Office reports to the Deputy Director of UNRWA Affairs (Operations). Technical guidance and advice are received from the Director of Finance. Responsibilities Manages a Field based Finance team to ensure, inter alia, that the Finance function provides accurate, relevant and timely financial information and advice to a multiplicity of internal and external stakeholders; Trains and instructs the staff on financial matters in the Field. Is responsible for the interpretation of the financial information and for providing advice on a broad range of management issues to the Field Director, Programme Chiefs and other managers within the Field; advises on the management of the financial envelope and, in close coordination with Human Resources, advises on staffing costs for the Field including reallocation of financial resources based on Field/Agency priorities, forecasts costs and expenditures. In full compliance with IPSAS, coordinates the preparation of the Field medium term forecasts and operating budget; reviews budget submissions, monitors expenditures against budget allotments and reports on variances; ensures that Field budget activities are carried out in an accurate, defendable and timely manner. Ensures due diligence in all aspects of the disbursements, receipts and management of the Field’s financial resources including responsibility of internal control procedures, cash flow management and treasury functions in the Field; Ensures that local bank account administration and associated cash management functions are performed in adherence to Financial Regulations. Supervises the preparation of the monthly financial report to internal management, the Quarterly Budget Review for all Programmes and Departments to enable management to conduct resource allocation, the fully accrued monthly accounts, the financial records and statements and reports including monthly figures covering also the staff cost in coordination with the Departments; ensures that yearly and biennium Field accounts closing activities are carried out in a precise and timely manner; coordinates Field replies to internal and external audit queries. Ensures that the provisions of the IPSAS compliant Financial Regulations, the Finance Manual and Finance and Budget Technical Instructions issued by Headquarters are complied with throughout the Field and are supplemented locally to the extent necessary. Is responsible for development and maintenance of Field’s financial systems and procedures in order to maintain a balance between operational expediency and financial control, and takes a lead in identifying local systems and processes that could be streamlined for greater efficiency. Serves on Field Committees involving financial matters including Local Committee on Procurement and Tender Opening Committee. Competencies UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Default managerial competencies may apply. – Learning and Researching -Applying Technical Expertise – Leading and supervising – Deciding and Initiating Action – Planning and Organizing For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un. org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI Education Advanced university degree from an accredited educational institution in finance, accountancy, business administration or related field; Job Specific Qualifications Work Experience Eight years of progressively responsible and relevant work experience in the application of the knowledge acquired in finance, accountancy, business administration or related field is required. At least three years of professional work experience at a supervisory level, in a large commercial, industrial or government Agency, involving work in finance, accounting, budget, audit and related functions with solid grasp of accrual Accounting such as IPSAS or IFRS is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, a candidate for an international posts must have a minimum of 2 continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of which the candidate is a national or holds citizenship, a passport or a national identity number is required. excellent understanding and/or experience of financial modules a major Enterprise Resource Planning System such as SAP or Oracle is required. Working experience with an organization in the United Nations Common System is desirable. Working experience with an organization in the United Nations Common System is desirable. Advanced university degree from an accredited educational institution is required in finance, accountancy, business administration or related field. Languages Excellent command of written and spoken English. knowledge of a second UN Language (preferably Arabic). is desirable. Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension. Gaza is a non-family duty station. The Head of Field Finance Office will be required to reside in the field of assignment and to travel occasionally in the Agency’s area of operations in the Middle East. Applicants have to complete the Personal History Profile (PHP) in inspira in order to be considered. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience as per the requirements in the Job Opening, in order to be considered. UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for appointment to the same post or a similar post. Equivalency: A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. NB: work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/