Finance Officer

UNOPS Ghana Operational Hub (GHOH), located in Accra, Ghana is responsible for projects in Anglophone West Africa, covering Ghana, Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. GHOH is responsible for managing strategic and operational risks associated with a subset of the regional portfolio of engagements, developing and delivering cost effective services contributing to partners’ sustainable results and achievements of UNOPS management results.

Project description

The overall objective of the project entitled "Reinforced Access of the Most Vulnerable Populations to Markets and Socio-economic facilities through a Feeder Road Rehabilitation Programme" is to enhance socio-economic development around the road network in the Gambia, West Africa.  The project involves the reconstruction / rehabilitation of 126 km of rural feeder roads using a mix of work contracts and labour intensive methods where possible.

The project is financed by the European Union (EU) and will be implemented by UNOPS.  A strong focus will be placed on the improvement of maintenance by local communities using labour intensive methods, the sustainability of the primary road network would also be reinforced by strengthening the planning capabilities of the National Road Authority (NRA), Gambia and through the implementation of an axle load control master plan.

The identified activities to be implemented are:

1. Rehabilitation/construction of feeder roads – UNOPS will be tendering and supervising the works contracts for the roads.
2. Road maintenance management–UNOPS will provide Technical Assistance to enhance the maintenance management plans for the coming years using HDM IV. 
3. Maintenance works using labour intensive methods– UNOPS will provide a Technical Advisor (TA) for the staff supervising these maintenance works in handling and supervision of labour intensive maintenance works to develop their capacity so that they will be able to take over the procurement and supervision of labour intensive maintenance works on the feeder roads following the completion of the project.
4. Creation of axle load control regulations– Technical assistance will be provided by UNOPS for the implementation of updating and/or preparing regulations concerning the axle load control in accordance with ECOWAS agreements.
5. Weighing stations – Technical assistance for the design of weighbridge locations will be provided by UNOPS, as well as support for the procurement and installation.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Head of Support Services, the Finance Officer analyzes and interprets the financial rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues in the Country Office; he/she ensures effective and transparent utilization of financial resources and integrity of financial services. The Finance Officer promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations.

Summary of Key Functions 

• Implementation of operational strategies
• Budget preparation, monitoring and control
• Country Offices cash management and treasury
• Control of Country Offices accounts
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

1. Ensures implementation of operational strategies and adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance with the provisions of the UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations, the Finance Manual and Finance and Budget Technical Instructions in all financial transactions, recording, reporting, etc.
• Country Offices business processes mapping and elaboration/establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in the Country Offices, control of the workflow in the Finance unit
• Continuous analysis and monitoring of the financial situation in the Country Offices
• Analysis and elaboration of proposals on cost-saving and reduction strategies (including introduction and development of e-banking).
• Routinely monitoring of financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigation of anomalies or unusual transactions. 

• Proposals for planning of financial resources of the Country Offices, preparation of reports containing analysis of the financial situation.
• Coordination of the preparation of the field operating budget; review of budget submissions, regular analysis and reporting on the budget approvals and the delivery situation; monitoring of expenditures against budget allotments and reporting on variances
• Coordination with the Portfolio Specialist to ensure compliance with UNOPS financial rules and regulations, financial policies and procedures and that project budgets and revisions are prepared in accordance with established procedures and budgetary guidelines of the funding agency; project budget re-phasing processed accurately and punctually
• Identification of administrative budgetary requirements; guidance on guidelines for budget preparation, the format to be used in reflecting budget proposals and the procedures for submission to facilitate consolidation at the global level.
• Review of budget proposals for reasonableness, consistency with the organizational goals and priorities.
• Monitoring and advice to the Country Offices Manager on the financial status of projects and programmes (including pending and approved budgets; contributions confirmed but not yet available for expenditure; contributions available for expenditure and contributions already expended).
• Monitoring of expenditure levels against allotments; review and processing of request for budget revision as required.
• Continuous monitoring of budgetary allocations and contact with clients to strengthen budget management and take corrective actions when required.
• Maintenance of the UNOPS Project Budget formulation system, ensuring timely input and processing of data; proposals for update and change (with ICT unit) to ensure relevance of the system at all times in the financial management of projects and enhancement of financial reporting.
• Discussion of concerns with the Portfolio Specialist when required so that timely corrective actions can be taken.

Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Office 2003 and/or newer versions) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

Professional Certification in Accountant such as CPA, CA or ACCA etc would be an added advantage.

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to provide analytical inputs to strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
• Ability to make the analysis of requirements and parameters provided in support of financial processes in the Hub or Country Offices
• Ability to formulate and manage budgets, contributions and investments, and transactions; conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost recovery
• Good knowledge of accounting
• Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change

Management and Leadership

• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Keen sense of ethics and integrity in dealing with clients and service providers and demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with counterparts and clients
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

• This vacancy is open to Gambian Nationals only.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.