Finance Assistant

1. Ensures implementation of operational strategies, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance with UNOPS rules and regulations of financial processes, financial records and reports and audit follow up; implementation of the effective internal control framework.
• Input to the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with the direct supervisor, Finance Unit and office management.

2. Ensures efficient budgetary and monitoring control, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Assistance in information-gathering for budget preparation.
• Assistance in the review and adjustment of project budget revisions.
• Maintenance of the budget database by verifying and entering approved budgets.
• Review and adjustment of project expenditures/obligations against the approved budgets.

3. Provides support to Treasury, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Review of payment requests for completeness prior to processing to ensure that documentation is complete and all information concerning the payment has been supplied; proper accounting codes used; certification of services rendered/goods delivered is written on the payment document and duly signed by authorized officials; payment to sub-contractors are in compliance with terms and conditions of agreement.
• Review and confirmation of appropriateness of operational transactions processed through the interpretation and determination of applicable policies, regulations, rules
• Review and confirmation of validity of charges by verifying authorized amounts and ensuring availability of budget and funds.
• Frequent contact with the local bank to obtain day-to-day information on rates of exchange, interest rates, changes in procedures and bank regulations, etc.

4. Provides accounting, administrative and clerical support to the Finance Unit, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Preparation of vouchers and review of supporting documents to ensure completeness, accuracy and correctness of accounts codes charges; entry of transactions in the computerized accounting and finance system.
• Monitoring of financial recorded expenditures and related contributions to ensure timely and accurate accounting information.
• Preparation of monthly expenditure schedules and quarterly, year-end statements.
• Analysis of reports, investigation and adjustment as required.     
• Communication with colleagues/clients on areas requiring verification, corrections, additional information, etc. to improve quality of output and/or account submission and increase knowledge base in the process.     
• Monitoring of expenditures.
• Budget revisions in accordance with agreements and guidelines of funding agency.
• Adjustment of project expenditures as required.
• Proper closure of projects and refund of unspent balances to Donor.
• Calculation and allocation of interest earnings
• Provision of finance OneUNOPS Financial Systemsupport to office staff for Project Accounting and Financial Reporting
• Records and files updated in the system

5. Ensures accurate financial reporting, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Preparation of financial and statistical reports related to project expenditures.
• Preparation of periodic financial statements to funding sources and external clients in compliance with established reporting requirements.
• Preparation of financial statements against the projects for the Donor.
• Reconciliation of expenditures recorded in OneUNOPS.
• Provision of reports and performance of other procedures related to the Year-End close.

6. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Participation in the trainings for the operations/ projects staff on Finance.
• Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

• Secondary education/High school diploma is required.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Accounting, Financial Management, Business Administration or any other relevant field will be considered an asset and may substitute for some of the required years of experience.
• Diploma or professional certification in finance-related subjects or business administration will be an asset.

• 5 years of relevant experience in the area of finance, accounting, budgeting with demonstrated capacity to meet performance indicators, and deliver results.
• Ability to work with computer ERP and office software packages (MS Office) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages is required.
• International organizations experience would be an advantage.

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Ukrainian is required. 
• Working knowledge of Russian is 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.
• 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.

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. 

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

 ECR strategy is to:

• Strengthen UNOPS role in operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on health, environment and economic development.
• Position UNOPS in the Balkan sub-region, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Strengthen the implementation of ECR global and regional programmes, with revitalized partnerships in infrastructure, procurement and project management.

ECR operates global portfolios from offices in Geneva, Brussels and New York, and country-specific programmes from its operations and project centres located in Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries.