Finance Specialist - Accounting

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, financial policy, practices, analysis, management services and reporting, organizational treasury and investments, internal control and enterprise risk management.  As the steward of resources of a self-financing UN entity, FG is accountable for processes to ensure 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 organizational/international accountability framework and the accurate and transparent financial reporting to governing bodies, clients, partners and stakeholders.

The Accounting Specialist reports to the Head of Financial Statements and UNBOA Relations who provides broad supervision and guidance. The Accounting Specialist is responsible for efficient financial reporting  and the provision of accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial information for preparation of the financial statement.  He/she analyzes and interprets the financial rules and regulations and the applicable accounting standards (IPSAS) and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues and General Ledger transactions. The Accounting Specialist supervises support personnel and promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations.

Please note: A professional accountant qualification is required for this position, and applicants without this qualification will not be considered.

1. General Corporate Accounting

2. Financial Oversight and Monitoring

3. Internal and External Audit Coordination

4. Capacity Building and System Improvement

• A Master's Degree or equivalent in Finance, Accounting, Financial Management or a related field is required.

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master's degree.

• Professional certification in accounting (CA, CPA, ACCA, ACA, CIMA, etc.), audit (CIA) or equivalent is required

• Minimum 5 years of relevant working experience within an international environment in the areas of financial reporting,  audit and accounting

• A thorough knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

• Knowledge and experience in ERP system developments and process improvements and automation is considered an asset.

Contract type: Staff
Contract level: P-3 (ICS-10)
Contract duration: Fixed-term staff contract - One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

As per the terms of the Host Agreement between UNOPS and the Government of Denmark, UNOPS officials are privileged to an exemption from taxation on the salaries and emoluments paid to them by UNOPS granted that they reside in Denmark.

• 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.