Project Finance Specialist

The Finance Group (FG) is a critical and strategic business function in UNOPS and serves as an authoritative and integrated partner in the organization on strategic financial planning and budgeting, business strategy and practices, financial analysis and risk assessment, financial project management services and long term organisational treasury and investments. As the steward of resources of a self-financing UN entity, FG is accountable for timely cost recovery and reporting to partners, maintaining the integrity and transparency of financial management of resources in accordance with the highest standards of ethics and organisational/international accountability framework and the accurate and transparent financial reporting to governing bodies, clients, partners and stakeholders.

The Project Finance Specialist reports to the Head of Project Finance who provides broad supervision and guidance. As a senior team member the position may also include supervisory responsibility on other team members. The role contributes to the Finance Group's vision of being a true business partner to UNOPS projects, by providing advice on all financial matters for client project delivery to senior management and members of the project teams. This includes establishing aspects of the financial framework within which client projects can operate, from a budget, to a cash management, to an accounting and reporting perspective. The role is part of a centre of excellence, providing seamless, appropriate, relevant and pro-active project specific tools and guidance. The role includes collaboration on project setup, implementation and closure with the Integrated Practice Advisory Service (IPAS) and supports outreach and training on all things related to project finance.

This is an opportunity to shape UNOPS approach to project finance management. We are currently looking for a Project Finance Specialist to work with the project finance team with solid experience and expertise in one or more of the following areas:

- Financial review of project agreements;

- Project budgeting and accounting;

- Cost attribution and cost recovery;

- Project cash management;

- Client financial reporting;

- Project financial closure.

The new colleague is expected to help us rethink and improve our project finance practices and focus our financial project management to support project managers and our donors. The ideal candidate will be a Finance Specialist, with a proven track record in one or more of the areas mentioned above, a sound understanding of international finance management best practices, together with an open mind for innovation, while being focused on delivering practical solutions.

A good candidate will have an international outlook, experience working in a global or international organisation, ideally with good experience in project financial matters.

This role has a global scope and will be key in enhancing UNOPS finance practices. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable providing advice to management and personnel on financial issues, as well as coordinating the development and roll out of global project finance initiatives. It will also require drafting project finance related policy documents and process documentation, ensuring their appropriate roll-out to all of UNOPS offices, provide support to audits and liaise with other teams of the Finance Group and other stakeholders as required. The role would also require outreach to high level internal and external stakeholders in addressing financial issues related to project implementation. That can include key decision makers within UNOPS as well as counterparts in other UN organisations and from UNOPS partners. Further tasks may include to independently manage issues arising from the implementation of UNOPS policies jointly with UNOPS Integrated Practice Advisory Service colleagues to ensure a consistent application of UNOPS financial framework.

• Advanced University degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related discipline is required.
• A combination of a first level University degree or a professional licence in finance or related field plus additional work experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master degree

• Minimum 5 years of relevant progressively responsible job related experience in finance or accounting is required

Contract type: International Individual Contract Agreement 
Contract level: IICA 2
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

• 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 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.