Finance Associate

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. 

The Project will fall under the purview of the UNOPS KEMC (Kenya Multi Country Office) Located in Nairobi, Kenya. The Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KEMC sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Hub in Nairobi, Kenya, which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and Southern Africa. This includes a large portfolio of Infrastructure, procurement and project management service in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and several Island states. 

Following devastation caused to life, livelihoods and property by tropical storm Idai in March 2019, the WB has allocated up to US$ 75 million to finance a recovery project for Zimbabwe. The recovery project is to address both early and mid-term recovery needs in multiple sectors (livelihoods, health, education, agriculture). UNOPS has been requested to establish a multiple projects in Zimbabwe to assist with the recovery of the selected areas in Zimbabwe that were most affected by the storm. Multiple project require the support of The Finance Associates that includes The Project Implementation Unit based in Harare and Community infrastructure project in Mutare, in addition to finance support required in any other country within the Hub. 

Under the direct supervision of the functional supervisor, who reports to the Head of Support Services, the Finance Associate will provide financial and administrative support over timely processing, recording, reporting, monitoring, and maintenance of financial transactions in accordance with UNOPS’ financial rules, regulations, policies and processes. 

Key Functions:
1. Administration of budgets and cost-recovery system
2. Accounting. Payments, Payroll
3. Office cash management 
4. Knowledge building and Knowledge sharing 

1. Administration of budgets and cost-recovery system Ensures administration of budgets and functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results: 

• Preparation and modifications of Cost recovery budgets, for the portfolio, 

• Preparation of Budget to actual cost variance reports of cost recovery projects 

• Presentation of researched information for planning and effective management of office’s financial resources 

• Provision of inputs for implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies, in consultation with the management. 

• Preparation of cost drivers for allocation of pooled resources, resource sharing and follow up on contributions within the office’s resource mobilization efforts 

• Distribution of UN common costs to various cost centers, based on agreed cost drivers 

2. Accounting. Payments and financial reporting Accounting, Payments, functions focusing on achievement of the following results: 

• Prepare Interim Financial reports as required, in prescribed format 

• Review and pre-clear payment requests when duly supported by legit supporting documents, in line with UNOPS FRR. 

• Prepare and process GLJE’s, as applicable 

• Prepare and share quarterly exceptions reports over timely receipting. 

• Monthly reconciliation of all pooled accounts 

• Timely preparation and submissions of all IPAS Finance and FG driven reports. 

• Timely response to requests to resolve financial data issues. 

• Timely corrective actions on erroneous data in Enterprise Resource planning system. 

• Monthly Reconciliation of all Accounts Receivables and payables, for projects 

• Review OA requests and ensure proposed OA custodian has no pending OA 

• Review OA accountability supporting documents and process accountability GL 

• Exception reporting on OA in excess of 70 Days 

• Provide monthly OA aged analysis 

• Provide finance support with Asset verification exercise 

• Provide support during IAIG, UNBOA and project specific Audits 

• Perform any other tasks as requested 

3. Office cash management 

• Review weekly cash position for local UNOPS Bank accounts to ensure sufficient funds against cash requirement for disbursements. 

• Timely identification and AR recording of receipts in the Bank account. 

• Receipting of miscellaneous income that includes payment for private use of official phone, re-banked OA balance. 

• Timely and accurate preparation of bank reconciliations. 

• Timely preparation of monthly cash flow forecast and submission to UNOPS treasury. 

• Provide proof of payment as requested 

• Conduct surprise petty cash count 

4. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing 

• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for personnel on finance-related topics. 

• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in human resources. 

• Contribute feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively. 

• As a Key Business User provides financial management support in the financial management module of the Enterprise system to internal clients. 

Impact of Results 

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Finance Associate directly impacts the efficient and effective management of financial resources in projects and programmes, demonstrating UNOPS’ effective stewardship of donor and partner funds. These promote the credibility of the organization as an effective service provider in project services and management. 

• Completion of secondary school or equivalent is required;
• CPA or Bachelors degree in business administration, public administration or equivalent disciplines is desirable.

• 6 years of experience within the areas of finance, accounting, business administration is required;
• Knowledge of UNOPS financial rules and regulations; 
• 1 year working knowledge of ERP is required;
• Experience with G-Sheet , other relevant e-tools in finance and account are desired;
• Experience in cash management is an added advantage;
• Experience in UN system organizations is desirable.

Fluency in written and oral English required.  Knowledge of second UN working language desirable.

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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
• 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.

• The position is based in a family duty station.

• This is a local post and it is for only Zimbabwean nationals or individuals with valid residency work permits are eligible to apply.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Kenya Multi-Country Office (KEMC)

UNOPS KEMC helps partners achieve their project goals in sectors including: governance, education, health, the environment, grant management and rural development.

UNOPS KEMC has over twenty years of experience working in East Africa, including large scale infrastructure projects. With a flexible and responsive presence throughout the region, UNOPS is able to scale up rapidly, through various mechanisms into high risk areas which have proven to be beneficial to partners