Head of Finance

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.

UNOPS Myanmar is one of UNOPS’ leading offices in Asia, acting as fund manager for three of the largest development programmes in the country, namely the Access to Health Fund, the Livelihood and Food Security Fund (LIFT) and the Joint Peace Fund (JPF). In addition, UNOPS is Principal Recipient for the Global Fund in Myanmar and for the Global Fund’s regional artemisinin-resistance initiative towards elimination of Malaria, which works to accelerate progress towards malaria elimination in the greater Mekong sub-region. UNOPS provides procurement, infrastructure and project management services to a wide range of organisations in the country, including the Government of Myanmar, international development partners, other UN agencies, NGOs and INGOs. UNOPS plays a critical role in ensuring that the quality of services provided to its partners meets stringent requirements of speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness.

Within UNOPS Myanmar’s Support Services Department, the Finance Unit is responsible for the successful delivery of financial services to all of UNOPS’ operations in Myanmar. The Finance Unit is comprised of over 100 people, many based throughout Myanmar as part of Finance’s Managed Cash Flow Unit. The Head of Finance is responsible for the  transparent utilization of financial resources and effective leadership of the Finance Unit and shall focus on:

• Strategic Advice and Guidance
• Financial Management,  Reporting and Controls
• Financial Knowledge Management and Capacity Building
• Management and Leadership

S/he shall abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS. 

The Head of Finance analyses and interprets financial rules and regulations and provides solutions for a wide spectrum of complex financial issues, promoting a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations. Under the guidance and supervision of the Head of Support Services, the Head of Finance is responsible for the following:

Strategic Advice and Guidance

• Reliable strategic and technical advice and timely performance management reports to MMOC projects, programmes, and Management Group, to enable and encourage informed management engagement on financial issues.

• Advice to MMOC senior leadership on cost reduction strategies aimed at maintaining MMOC’s financial viability.
• Participation in the development and implementation of the MMOC business plan as a strategic partner.

• Provide advise to MMOC senior leadership on financial performance against the annual delivery targets with the purpose of informed strategic decision and resource allocation in line with the organizational priorities.
• Review, analysis and revision of data for finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, and direct support during the development and implementation of project acquisition to ensure efficient financial implementation and adherence to both UNOPS and client pricing policies.
• Actively particiate in the interagency discussions and meetings in respect to any financial arranagements and procedures which affect the financial operations in country

Financial Management, Reporting and Controls

• Continous review of financial and accounting operations ensuring adequate financial controls are in place to protect financial resources and ensure reliability of data and financial reports.

• Development and implementation of UNOPS Myanmar financial management Standard Operating Procedures, guidelines and control mechanisms, in conformity with UNOPS rules and regulations.

• Management of the operating and management budgets including review, analysis, reporting, monitoring performance and identification of administrative budgetary requirements including provision of guidance on budget preparation and the procedures for submission to facilitate consolidation at the regional level.
• Timely and accurate financial reports to funding sources in accordance with UNOPS rules and procedures and established donor requirements
• Management of Accounts Receivables and Accounts Payable including payroll and  development - of reporting mechanism.  
• Account review, analysis and reconciliation, ensuring the quality and accuracy of the financial data disclosed in the certified financial statements; Implement related and effective risk management actions.
• Monthly, quarterly and annual closure activities for MMOC in compliance with pertinent UNOPS policies and procedures, and in line with Finance Group guidelines.
• Management of audit activities, including planning, preparation and coordination during the audit engagements and follow up on audit observations/recommendations; Implement necessary changes to strengthen financial controls.
• Establish, manage and maintain arrangements with commercial banks in Myanmar to achieve cost-effectiveness and secure payments.
• Lead the development and implementation of cash handling procedures and prepares cash and currency flow forecasts and projections.

Financial Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

• Contribute to the development of internal capacity across MMOC in financial accounting.
• Develop capacity of stakeholders in financial accounting by leading, organizing and conducting training/workshops, identifying expert resources to facilitate as needed.
• Synthesize and disseminate of lessons learned and best practices in Finance, and offer sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Provide technical guidance and on the job training to ensure work standards are achieved, both in terms of quality and quantity of inputs/outputs processed.

Management and Leadership

• Leadership and oversight of the Finance Unit, establishing strategic team objectives, key performance indicators, and measurement standards toward delivering expected results.
• Management of the “managed cash-flow (MCF)” mechanism and implementation of internal controls, risk management and planning of related MCF activities, including a team upwards of 80 personnel.
• Continuous assessment of the performance and effectiveness of financial services, recommending changes and/or corrective actions in the team structure and/or finance operations to enhance and maintain effectiveness in the changing environment.
• Attract, retain and develop talent with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance, offering guidance to enable responsible, effective and efficient performance.
• Promote collaboration and foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

Impact of Results

The Head of Finance directly impacts the effective management and financial integrity of UNOPS through the effective stewarding of UNOPS Myanmar resources, maintaining appropriate controls and integrity of financial management in accordance with relevant UNOPS rules and regulations, enabling prudent management financial resources and building an informed and shared management engagement on financial issues in support of the UNOPS Myanmar strategy.

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related discipline is required.  A Bachelor’s Degree in with an additional two years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of Master’s Degree.
• Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent highly desirable.

b. Work Experience

• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in financial management and accounting.
• Minimum 5 years experience in a management role directly supervising multiple personnel.
• Minimum 5 years of experience managing financial systems and budgets .
• Knowledge of international accounting and financial reporting standards is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of UN and UNOPS financial regulations and rules as well as procurement procedures would be an asset.
• Experience in multi-donor and multi-agency accounting, budgeting and auditing is highly desirable.

c. Language

• Fluency in oral and written English required.

• 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.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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.