Finance Senior Associate (Internal Announcement)

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has been supporting Nepal by implementing projects since 2007. It was established as a country office for Nepal in 2015 and is under South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), Colombo.

The UNOPS Nepal Office has implemented Projects in all seven provinces of Nepal with key government partners; the Nepal Police (Ministry of Home Affairs), the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA), the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Provincial Governments. Supporting Nepal’s development plan and the 2030 Agenda, the Nepal Office implements projects in post-earthquake reconstruction, security, and justice, field monitoring and coordination, and in recent times– immediate health support to respond to the Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) crisis. Within the reconstruction portfolio, the Nepal Office provided socio-technical assistance to individual households, developed innovative approaches for retrofitting earthquake-damaged homes, and delivered services to the most vulnerable households, ensuring nobody is left behind.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Head of Support Services and the Country Manager, the Finance Senior Associate in Nepal under the SAMCO ensures effective execution of financial services and processes and transparent utilization of financial resources. The Finance Senior Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations, with responsibility for budget control functions, treasury functions and accounts maintenance.

The Finance Senior Associate works in close collaboration with the SAMCO, Nepal Country office, IPAS Finance and other relevant colleagues in HQ as well as colleagues in the support services, programme and project functions in the field offices, resolving finance-related issues and information exchange; s/he promotes a client, quality and results-oriented approach.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Administration and implementation of financial strategies

• Budgetary and monitoring control]

• Treasury functions

• Accounting support

• Financial reporting and control

• Assistance in and facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

1. Ensures administration and implementation of operational strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance with UNOPS rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations; implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system.
• Elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with office management.
• Elaboration of proposals and implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies in consultations with office management.

2. Ensures efficient budgetary and monitoring control, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Extraction of required financial information from UNOPS project agreements and set up of necessary accounts in line with existing UNOPS financial policies and procedures. 

• Compilation of data for the preparation of budget estimates.

• Monitoring and review of status of budgetary allocations and expenditures on an ongoing basis.  Continuous networking with clients/partners to provide feedback and mutually agree on corrective actions, when required. 
• As delegated, approval of budgets in oneUNOPS, as per awarded proposals and review of budget revisions.
• Establishment and maintenance of proper financial controls mechanisms to stay within budget allotment.

3. Ensures proper functioning of the Treasury, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Maintenance, operation and control of bank accounts.  Maintenance of cash book, including control of disbursements, analysis and reconciliation of account. 

• Preparation and confirmation of appropriateness of operational transactions processed through the interpretation and determination of applicable policies, regulations, rules, i.e. disbursements within authorized limits, payroll, contractual agreements, payments to suppliers, travel claims, etc.
• Maintenance and control of petty cash fund and preparation of report for replenishment
• Frequent contact with the local bank to obtain day-to-day information on rates of exchange, interest rates, changes in procedures and bank regulations, etc. 
• Review of payment requests for completeness prior to processing, ensuring that documentation needed is complete and that all required procedures are fulfilled to enable the payment. 
• Review and confirmation of validity of charges by verifying authorized amounts and ensure availability of budget and funds.

4. Provides accounting and administrative support to the Finance Group, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Maintenance of ledgers and accounting records for classification and recording of financial transactions and for the reconciliation of accounts and preparation of recurring or special reports. 
• Timely entry of transactions in the computerized accounting and finance system and timely submission of monthly accounts; adherence to UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations in all financial transactions
• Preparation of bank reconciliation report.  Review and analysis of reports for discrepancies and action as required.  (For reason of internal control, this function is not to be performed by the post responsible for operating the bank account).
• Clarification and response to queries and observations of auditors (both internal and external).
• Communication with colleagues/clients on areas requiring verification, corrections, additional information, etc. to improve quality of output and/or account submission and increase knowledge base in the process.
• Review of vouchers and supporting documentation for completeness, accuracy, and correctness of account code charges. 

• The key results have an impact on the overall UNOPS efficiency in financial resources management and success in implementation of operational strategies.  Accurate analysis and presentation of financial information enhances the organization’s credibility in use of financial resources and proper financial process management. The information provided facilitates decision making of the management.

Education:

Secondary Education with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance. University Degree in Business or Public Administration would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

Fluency in written and oral English required.  Knowledge of second UN working language desirable.

1. Contract type: Local Independent Contractor Agreement (LICA)
2. Contract level Local ICA Support Level 7, LICA7, ICS7
3. 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.