Finance Officer - Programme Grant (Retainer)

Organizational Context

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. 

Ethiopia Multi-country office (ETMCO) sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Addis Ababa which manages a portfolio of engagements in four (4)  Horn of Africa countries  (Ethiopia, Djibouti, Sudan and South Sudan).  ETMCO focuses on Infrastructure, Procurement, Project Management, HR and Transactional Services, and Fund Management services across a wide range of sectors including Health, Education, Agriculture, Resilient infrastructure among others.  

Our goal is to support countries, help people in need and enable our partners through  delivering on our mandate of infrastructure, procurement and project management in the countries in the Horn of Africa.  Building on our global experience successfully delivering projects in complex operating environments, a healthy pipeline of engagements are at various stages of discussion with our priority partners.  

Project Background

UNOPS has signed a project agreement with the Ministry of Health to strengthen the Capacity of the Ministry for the Realization of Health Sector Transformation Plan (HSTP-II) on selected priorities. This project will be implemented in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the overall objective/purpose is to contribute towards the realization of selected strategic priorities of the Health Sector Transformation Plan (HSTP-II) which is more on project management focusing on institutional capacity building, technical assistance etc. UNOPS is selected to manage and implement the project by creating a project management unit (PMU).

This unit will be formed by a group of experts and specialists in the relevant matters that will be in charge of delivering the outputs.

The Finance Officer - Programme Grant will report to the UNOPS Project Manager (PM) and will be working in close and day-to-day collaboration with the client institution, particularly the Finance Executive Office. The PM will also gather feedback from the client to manage and assess the deliverables.

Strategic Initiative:  

• Improve Health Financing

• Ensure that proper procedures are followed and ascertained in the process of budget utilization through the proper control and follow-up procedures in place
• Enhancement of the Channel-2 grants financial management at all levels
• Ensure preparation and submission of accurate and timely financial report to appropriate bodies (development partners, government body)
• Communicate with development partners on the general financial management, internal control, audit and related issues
• Develop disbursement plan and facilitate disbursement of funds 
• Ensure that Memorandum of Understanding is signed with implementers where ever required and adhered to.
• Review fund  transfer request  from program against the signed MOU, before fund is transferred to regions and Agencies
• Ensure that the fund is only used for the intended purpose
• Ascertain that grant agreements are complied to and adhered to.
• Ensure that the MOH advances accounts are reconciled periodically with regions and other implementing entities
• Ensure that procurement advances given to procurement agencies are settled and reconciled timely or periodically
• Establish maintain and coordinate the implementation of accounting and accounting control procedures
• Ensure that the financial management system of the MOH is strengthened at all levels
• Support on designing and follow-up implementation of proper internal control procedures to secure resources
• Analyze and review budget and expenditure monitor and review accounting related system report for accuracy and completeness
• Review management reports and enhance the reporting formats and contents as per the requirement and needs;
• Resolve accounting discrepancies
• Involve in grant budget/work plan preparation and closure process
• Recommend, develop and maintain financial data base, computer software systems and improved manual filing systems
• Harmonize financial reporting system of government and donor funds
• Supervise the input and handling of financial data and report for the company automated financial system
• Ensure that proper financial management system is being applied for managing donor funds at the regional bureaus
• Ensure that periodic supportive supervisions and review meetings are done with the regional health bureaus and agencies
• Closely follow up budget control, utilization and variance identification on the grants assigned on through a day-to-day budget control and periodic reports preparation
• Build the capacity and coach the staff of the Finance Executive Office and regional and agencies’ staffs
• Closely follow up Global Fund, Italian cooperation grant , SDG-PF, World bank African CDC grant in particular and other grants assigned in general.
• Perform any other duties as assigned

• A first University Degree (Bachelor’s) in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline is required.
• An advanced University Degree (Master's) in  Accounting, Finance, Business Administration
  or a related discipline is an added advantage

• Certifications/ professional qualification in CPA, ACCA, CIMA  or similar field is an asset. 

Experience 

• A minimum of two (2) years professional work experience with proven ability to analyze program  and prepare donor’s reports and projections is required.
• Knowledge of project management, proposal development, planning, and costing activities is an asset.
• Experience in promoting teamwork in the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders is an asset.
• Familiarity with health systems policies and sectoral reform processes is an asset.
• Competency in the use of computer software like Google suite applications is an asset.
• Good analytical, diplomatic and negotiation skills is an asset.

1. Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
2. Contract level: LICA-8 (ICS8)
3. Contract duration: One year, with possibility of extension

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

To apply for a vacancy, please create a UNOPS Jobs Account. This involves submitting details such as personal information, education, experience, languages, skills and other information.

Learn more about how to apply.