Finance Senior Associate

UNOPS Somalia Country Office (SOCO) has had a solid and continuous in-country expert presence successfully implementing programs since the mid-1990s, where it is currently undertaking various projects and initiatives in close collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), Federal Member States (FMS) and partners from the global donor community. UNOPS’ projects in Somalia focus on several key sectors that include infrastructure development, institutional capacity building, project management, advisory services, and procurement services. These projects cut across multiple sectors, including education, healthcare, national security, law enforcement, immigration services, justice, transport, and public works among others. UNOPS work in Somalia is geared towards driving growth and development in the country, a process that requires developing a close relationship with the FGS and the other development partners. Through its involvement in Somalia’s development process, UNOPS is providing transparent and accountable solutions in the country’s state and nation-building process. In addition, UNOPS is also committed to implementing the United Nations Strategic Framework Somalia 2017 – 2020, with the aim of helping Somalia achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. UNOPS work within the context of these commitments means that the projects it implements in Somalia are specifically designed to provide long-term solutions in the country, leading to sustainable and inclusive growth.

What drives us is a passion to fight inequalities and to provide opportunities to those most vulnerable. This means we often work in the most challenging environments, building foundations for communities to function and people to live with dignity and respect.

To succeed here, he/she need to be able to combine creativity with the organizational skills to manage numerous different projects to tight deadlines simultaneously, as well as working with the different units to meet their expectations.

We are therefore, looking for potentially curious talented Somali citizens with knowledge in Accounting /Finance and good communication skills with stakeholder focus to join the formidable team. Things happen quickly at UNOPS-SOCO and the work culture encourages you to be an enthusiastic team player - a self-starter who can work cross-functionally and isn't frightened to take risks or try out new ways of doing things within UNOPS.

Under the direct guidance and supervision of the Finance Officer, the Finance Senior Associate works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and project teams in the office to resolve complex financial management and operational-related issues and information delivery.

• Administration and implementation of operational and financial management strategies
• Administration of budgets and effective cost recovery
• Accounting and administrative support
• Office cash management
• Team Management
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

Administration and implementation of operational and financial management strategies

• Ensures administration and implementation of operational strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:
• Full compliance with UN/UNOPS rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations; implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system.
• Implementation of cost sharing and trust fund agreements, elaboration of conditions of contributions within the office resource mobilization efforts.
• Implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies in consultations with office management.

• Ensures administration of budgets and functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results:
• Preparation and modifications of budgets for UNOPS projects, follow up with HQs on authorized spending limits) for projects.
• Establishment of criteria for pro-ration of Agencies contributions to the common services account, preparation and modifications of the common services budget and follow up on timely recovery of payments.
• Implementation of the control mechanism for d projects through monitoring budgets preparation and modifications, budgetary status, maintenance of the General Ledger.
• Presentation of thoroughly researched information for planning of financial resources of the office, reports containing analysis of the financial situation.
• Timely preparation of cost-recovery bills in Enterprise System for the services provided by elaboration and implementation of the income tracking system and follow up on cost recovery.

Accounting and administrative support

• Provides accounting and administrative support to the Finance Unit focusing on achievement of the following results:
• Proper control of the supporting documents for payments, review of financial reports for projects.
• Approval of vendors in Enterprise System (as a senior member of the Finance team).
• Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Enterprise System; payrolls are duly prepared; travel claims, MPOs and other entitlements are duly processed.
• Coordination and review of accounts closure
• Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers. Timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues.
• Maintenance of the Accounts Receivables for UNOPS projects and follow up with partners on contributions.
• Timely VAT reimbursements, payment of GLOC by the Government.
• Proper receipting of goods and services and establishment of accruals.

Office cash management

• Ensures proper cash management functioning focusing on achievement of the following results:
• Timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements. Timely identification and recording of receipts for income application.
• Daily review of zero-balance account bank statements in Enterprise System to monitor imprest level; identification and recording of contributions.
• Alternate to Finance Analyst (or Operations Manager) as primary contact with local bank management on routine operational matters including negotiation of exchange rate on replenishment. May serve as member of bank signatory panel upon decision of Head of Office.
• Timely and accurate preparation of bank reconciliations.
• Selecting bank transfers and deals for approval and settlements.
• Performing Pay cycle manager role in Enterprise System.
• Timely preparation of monthly cash flow forecast for use by Operations Manager/Finance Analyst. Liaison with UN Agencies to obtain estimate of their cash requirements.
• Alternate as cashier for cash disbursements made on site.

Team Management

• Facilitates the engagement and provision of high quality results and services of the team supervised through effective work planning, performance management, coaching, and promotion of learning and development.
• Provides oversight, ensuring compliance by team members with existing policies and best practices.

Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for personnel on financial management
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in financial management.
• Collect feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.

Impact of Results
The effective and successful achievement of results by the Finance Senior 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.

• Secondary Education with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance. 
• First University Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or equivalent disciplines is desirable but not required.

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant working experience within the areas of finance, accounting, business administration or related field is required.
• Knowledge of UNOPS financial rules and regulations is desirable
• Working knowledge of ERP system is desirable.
• Experience with MS Office 2003 or newer versions, and financial management, using electronic systems, environment and are desirable. 
• Possession of some experience in UN system organizations is desirable.

• Fluency in written and oral English is required. 
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• This is a local position and only Somali citizens are eligible to apply. 
• 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.
• The duty station for this position is Mogadishu and it is a non-family station. 
  
• 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
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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.

1. Contract type: Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA)
2. Contract level: LICA-7/ICS 7
3. Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

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.

Africa Region

AFR helps ensure that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between projects across the entire region.

Somalia

In Somalia, UNOPS has had a solid and continuous in-country expert presence successfully implementing programmes since the mid-1990s, where it is currently undertaking various projects and initiatives in close collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia, Federal Member States and partners from the global donor community. UNOPS’ projects in Somalia focus on several key sectors that include infrastructure development, institutional capacity building, project management, advisory services, and procurement services.