Finance Specialist

Peace and Security Cluster

The UNOPS Peace and Security Centre (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. The Centre is responsible for providing support and oversight of the day-to-day management of project field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations. It is headed by the cluster director, who maintains overall authority and accountability for the performance of the PSC on behalf of its clients.

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) established a regional support office, the Entebbe Support Office (ESO) in November of 2016.  This office provides regional support to UNMAS programmes based in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and the Abyei Administrative Area. The areas of support include Procurement, Supply Chain, Logistics, Human Resources, Finance and Contracts Management. 

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Support Services, the Finance Specialist acts as an advisor to Senior Management on all aspects of financial management and operations. This includes strategic financial resources management, within UNOPS rules and regulations. S/He leads the financial management operation, ensuring financial integrity of the Business Unit’s programmes/ projects operations, consistent delivery of efficient and effective financial management services to the client office, primarily, Budget Preparation and Management; Cash Management and Control of Payments.  Leading and guiding the Business Unit Financial management Team, s/he fosters collaboration within the team, with programme staff and with other stakeholders with a client-oriented approach. The incumbent provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial management issues, maintains oversight over the financial management of projects and promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach.

Ensures the implementation of operational and financial management strategies, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Support and advise the Programme Management and other relevant stakeholders in the office (HOSS, Finance colleagues)  to ensure full compliance of financial activities, financial recording,  monitoring and reporting with UNOPS rules, regulations, and policies.

• Financial resources management through planning, guiding, controlling and auditing of the resources in accordance with UNOPS rules and regulation.

• Operational efficiency of the managerial or accounting aspects of the areas managed.

• Continuous analysis and monitoring of the financial situation, presentation of forecasts for projects.

• Implementation of the effective internal control, proper design and functioning of the financial resources management system. 

• Performance of appropriate role in Enterprise system for transactions approvals and bank reconciliation. 

• Control of the workflows in the Finance Unit.

• Elaboration and implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies.

• Monitoring of financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigates anomalies or unusual transactions. 

• Informs supervisors and other UNOPS colleagues at Headquarters of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.

• Support for the development and implementation of Financial Standard Operating Procedures, guidelines and control mechanisms, in conformity with UNOPS rules and regulations.

Ensures proper control of office cash management and of payments by focusing on achievement of the following results:.

• Elaboration 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 and other entitlements are duly processed, receipting of goods and services and establishment of accruals are properly done. 

• Timely accounting and reconciliation of all transactions, security for cash assets on site.

• Performing Paycycle manager role in Enterprise system.

• Timely preparation of monthly cash flow forecast for use by Programmes. Liaison with supported programmes/projects to obtain estimates of their cash requirements.

• Management and oversight of the operational advance accounts and expenditure tracking and recording of the Cash disbursements made on sites.

• Timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues.

• Facilitate the engagement and provision of high quality results and services of the team supervised through effective recruitment, work planning, performance management, coaching, and promotion of learning and development.

• Provide oversight, ensuring compliance by team members with existing policies and best practices.

• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for personnel on finance related topics.

• Lead, approve and conduct initiatives on capacity development and knowledge building for Finance personnel, including network development, plans, learning plans and activities, Finance practice information and best practice benchmarking.

• Oversee team’s contributions to Finance knowledge networks and communities of practice including collaborative synthesis of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in human resources management.

• Guide team’s collection of feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.  

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Finance Specialist directly impacts on the availability of UNOPS’ financial resources to effectively develop and implement the organization’s programmes and projects.  It enhances the organization’s financial and programme performance, 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.

• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• 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.
• 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.

Contract type:        Fixed-Term Appointment (FTA)
Contract level:       P3 (ICS10)
Contract duration: 12 months, with the possibility of renewal, subject to organizational requirements and availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peace building, 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.