Senior Finance Officer, Multiple positions

Peace and Security Cluster

New York Portfolios Office

The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) leads the organisation's New York-based portfolios to successfully deliver project and programme management as well as procurement, human resources, and financial management services for its partners with global mandates, ranging from the UN Secretariat to UN funds, programmes, and agencies, and ultimately to UN Member States.

NYPO aims at strategically positioning UNOPS with New York-based partners with global mandates and initiatives, at ensuring an even greater collaboration to leverage strengths in the pursuit of UNOPS’s growth aspirations, and at capitalising on its unique in-house portfolio expertise in global portfolio design and implementation.

NYPO provides support and expertise to achieve the broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 2030 Agenda to UNOPS’ largest partner, the UN Secretariat, alongside other New York-based UN partners with a global outreach, as well as UN Member States.

Notes

• Even though the duty station is indicated as New York, USA, consideration may be given to allow the position to be home-based, depending on the incumbent’s personal situation. For home-based positions, a location-specific fee scale is applied in determining the contractor’s fee.

• The incumbent is expected to ensure availability during the working hours of the New York office.

Financial Compliance and Internal Controls

• Ensure full compliance with UNOPS financial rules, regulations, and policies.

• Contribute to the Implementation of the effective internal controls and maintenance of client-oriented financial resources management system.

• Help Develop and maintain internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in Finance, in consultation with office management.

• Respond to queries and observations of auditors (both internal and external).

• Serve as a backup during leave of an ECR Finance Associate and Finance Analyst for the following financial transactions:  Payment Approvals, Cash Forecast (Treasury), GLJEs, Operational Advances, Project Budget Setup Review, Data Quality and Periodical Reporting (FG/IPAS); Petty Cash & Operational Advance; and Corporate Credit Card.

• Perform other duties as requested by the Line Manager.

Budgetary and Monitoring Control

• Provide support to Portfolio Managers Managing project budgets, ensuring compliance with UNOPS financial policies and procedures.

• Conduct expenditure reviews and analysis, prepare budget estimates, and monitor budget allocations and expenditures.

• Provide feedback and mutually agree on corrective actions with clients/partners.

• Approve budgets in oneUNOPS, as per awarded proposals and review budget revisions, as delegated.

Accounting and Administrative Support

• Maintain ledgers and accounting records, ensuring timely entry of transactions in the one UNOPS ERP.

• Prepare monthly, quarterly and year end related entries in General Ledger.

• Review financial adjustments proposed by the field and portfolios for supporting documentation and accuracy.

• Reconcile various general ledger account codes as advised, investigate balances long overdue.

• Perform Account analysis, account reconciliation and preparation of adjusting journal entries.

• Ensure the appropriateness of operational transactions processed through the interpretation and determination of applicable policies, regulations, and rules.

Client Financial Reporting and Control

• Prepare financial statements for clients and ensure compliance with Funder Agreement schedules and UN/UNOPS Memoranda of Understanding.

• Review and Certify the financial statements for clients as delegated.

• Maintain schedule of client reports by due date, produce progress Financial reports by Portfolio, prepare Interim Financial Statements for certification by the IPAS and Final Financial Statement certification by the Comptroller.

• Guide the Portfolio Managers and clients to design, establish and harmonize financial reporting and performance assessment documents for gauging the financial delivery/performance of their portfolio/projects

• Interact with colleagues and clients to exchange information and seek cooperation when following up on operational transactions and client reporting requirements.

• Draft and send communications to clients concerning financial matters.

• Support UNOPS Portfolio Managers to maintain Cash-Flow projections for cash based projects and ensure effective and accurate cash flow forecasts.

• Collaborate with project colleagues to ensure the quality of financial activities and reports.

• Act as financial closure manager for projects entering financial closure stages.

• Support the development and roll-out of automated reports for client financial reporting.

Cash Management

• Ensure accurate reflection of client contributions to project cash flow in the ERP.

• Review Advance Financing requests and ensure their reflection in the overall regional AF tracking.

• Provide support to portfolio colleagues on cash flow issues.

Knowledge Building and Sharing

• Contribute to the development of guidelines, tools, and templates to support internal portfolio and project stakeholders in the financial management of projects.

• Act as a technical expert, providing financial input and perspective to portfolio management of client projects.

Education

• An advanced university degree (master or equivalent), preferably in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field, with 2 years of relevant work experience;

 OR

• A first level university degree (bachelor or equivalent) with 4 years of relevant experience.

• A professional accounting qualification such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), or equivalent, is desired.

Experience

Relevant experience is defined as progressively responsible experience in financial management, accounting, or auditing, preferably in an international development or humanitarian context.

• Experience in managing budgets, preparing financial statements, and conducting financial audits is required.

• Experience working with UNOPS or other international organisations, including knowledge of UNOPS financial rules, regulations, and procedures, is desired.

• Experience in project management, particularly in the context of development or humanitarian projects, is desired.

Language

• Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required.

• Knowledge of another UN official language is desired.

• 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

• 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.

Contract type: International ICA
Contract level: ICS-9 (P2, IICA-1, LICA-9 equivalent)
Contract duration: Ongoing (subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance)