Project Management Support Specialist - Finance

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the Government and people of Afghanistan through delivery of projects and services in line with the government’s national priorities. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFCO is implementing a number of projects in a range of sectors including infrastructure (roads, bridges, justice and security, health, and water supply) development, procurement services, HR services, capacity building, and humanitarian protection, amongst others, on behalf of the Government of Afghanistan, the international donor community, and other UN agencies.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to the achievement of the development outcomes sought by the Government of Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the reconstruction and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO’s services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to significantly improve the lives of all Afghans in need.

Project Information

In November 2023, ADB approved the Verification of Claims and Expenditures Project to conduct a verification of outstanding claims from contractors, consultants, suppliers and project management offices for the works and services completed in Afghanistan under ADB-financed and administered projects prior to 15 August 2021. UNOPS is the executing agency for VCEP. 

The main objective of VCEP is to verify claims from contractors, consultants and suppliers for works and services completed prior to 15 August 2021 under different types of contracts, including civil works, supply of goods and consulting services in Afghanistan. VCEP also includes a verification of advances provided to contractors, consultants and suppliers and eligible expenditures incurred by the project management offices prior to 15 August 2021 under ADB-financed and administered projects.

UNOPS is seeking a Project Management Support Specialist – Finance (PMSS-Finance) in order to: coordinate, advise and evaluate the financial aspects of the claims for payments as well as support other aspects of the project management, including MIS, reporting, stakeholders management and compliance on safeguards requirements. The PMSS-Finance will be working alongside the Contract Management Specialist and Legal Advisor in order to verify the amounts due to be paid to each contractor, consultant, supplier, PMOs’ staff or project-affected persons and to reconcile/verify expenses incurred under projects’ advance accounts.

This position will be supervised by the Senior Project Manager to support the implementation of the project. The PMSS-Finance will lead and supervise the finance team to support and assist in the performance of the below key functions:

a.  Education

• Advanced University Degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in Finance, Management, Business/Public Administration, or other relevant discipline First level University degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in Finance, Management, Business/Public Administration, or other relevant discipline in combination with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. 

• Professional qualifications such as CPA or CA would be a strong asset.                                    

b. Work Experience 

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in finance, accounting, auditing and/or grants management is required.

• Experience in the financial accounting component of claims, contract variations, liquidation of expenses, and certification of works or equivalent is an asset.

• Experience in implementing projects, grant management, and disbursement modalities funded by International Financial Institutions (IFIs), preferably by ADB, is required.

• Experience in developing and/or using management information systems/ERPs is an asset.

• Experience in public sector financial management, including government ministries in a developing country, is an asset. 

• Experience in assurance and financial evaluation (preferably in the public/development sector) is an asset.

Experience in UN system organizations and grants management in international development organizations is an asset. 

• Familiarity with Transport, Energy, Health, Agriculture and Natural Resources projects is an asset.

c.  Languages

• Fluent in English (reading, writing and speaking) is required.

• Knowledge of local and regional languages is an asset.

Contract type: IICA (International Individual Contractor Agreement)
Contract level: ICS10
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

• 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.