Finance Senior Associate (Parental Leave Cover)

UNOPS Somalia Country Office (SOCO) exciting career opportunity as we are committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

UNOPS SOCO is recruiting this position: Finance Senior Associate (Parental Leave Cover) 

Qualified women candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNOPS Overview

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.  With over 8,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it.  By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

UNOPS in Somalia 

UNOPS has been operating in Somalia since 1995, providing implementation and advisory support for various development initiatives in the areas of infrastructure, project management, procurement and financial services. Based in Mogadishu, the Somalia Country Office is currently implementing 19 projects across Somalia worth over $170m. From delivering high quality infrastructure for public services to facilitating the reform of the security sector and supporting crisis recovery, UNOPS is an established partner of government and donors alike in Somalia's path towards reconstruction and state-building.

Job Specific

Under the direct supervision and guidance from the Finance Manager, the Finance Senior Associate (Parental Leave Cover) will ensure the effective execution of financial services and processes and transparent utilization of financial resources. S/he promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations. S/he will also work in close collaboration with the operations, programme and project teams in the office to resolve complex financial management and operational-related issues and information delivery. 

1. Administration and implementation of operational and financial management strategies

2. Administration of budgets and effective cost recovery

3. Accounting and administrative support 

4. Office cash management

5. Team Management

6. Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

1. Administration and implementation of operational and financial management strategies

• Ensures administration and implementation of operational strategies, adapts processes and procedures

• focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance with UN/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.

• Implementation of cost sharing and trust fund agreements, elaboration of conditions of contributions within the office resource mobilization efforts.

• Implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies in consultations with office management.

2. Administration of budgets and effective cost recovery

• Ensures administration of budgets and functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Preparation and modifications of budgets for UNOPS projects, follow up with HQs on authorized spending limits) for projects.

• Establishment of criteria for proration of Agencies contributions to the common services account, preparation and modifications of the common services budget and follow up on timely recovery of payments. 

• Implementation of the control mechanism for projects through monitoring budgets preparation and modifications, budgetary status, maintenance of the General Ledger.

• Presentation of thoroughly researched information for planning of financial resources of the office, reports containing analysis of the financial situation.

• Timely preparation of cost-recovery bills in Enterprise System for the services provided by elaboration and implementation of the income tracking system and follow up on cost recovery.

3. Accounting and administrative support 

• Provides accounting and administrative support to the Finance Unit focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Proper control of the supporting documents for payments, review of financial reports for projects.

• Approval of vendors in Enterprise System (as a senior member of the Finance team).

• Maintenance 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, MPOs and other entitlements are duly processed. 

• Coordination and review of accounts closure

• Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers. Timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues. 

• Maintenance of the Accounts Receivables for UNOPS projects and follow up with partners on contributions.

• Timely VAT reimbursements, payment of GLOC by the Government.

• Proper receipting of goods and services and establishment of accruals.

4. Office cash management

• Ensures proper cash management functioning focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements. Timely identification and recording of receipts for income application.

• Daily review of zero-balance account bank statements in Enterprise System to monitor imprest level; identification and recording of contributions.

• Alternate to Finance Analyst (or Operations Manager) as primary contact with local bank management on routine operational matters including negotiation of exchange rate on replenishment. May serve as member of bank signatory panel upon decision of Head of Office.

• Timely and accurate preparation of bank reconciliations.

• Selecting bank transfers and deals for approval and settlements.

• Performing Pay cycle manager role in Enterprise System.

• Timely preparation of monthly cash flow forecast for use by Operations Manager/Finance Analyst. Liaison with UN Agencies to obtain estimate of their cash requirements.

• Alternate as cashier for cash disbursements made on site.

5. Team Management

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

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

6. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for personnel on financial management

• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in financial management.

• Collect feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively. 

Impact of Results:

• The effective and successful achievement of results by the Finance Senior Associate directly impacts the efficient and effective management of financial resources in projects and programmes, 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.

• Completion of High School/Secondary School with seven (7) years of relevant experience is required.
• A First Level University Degree (Bachelor's Degree) in Business Administration, Public Administration, or related subject is desirable but not required. 

• Relevant certification in financial management or accounting a distinct advantage.

• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience is required. Relevant experience is defined as experience in finance, accounting, business administration or related field in national and/or international public or corporate organizations.
• Knowledge of UNOPS financial rules and regulations is highly desirable.
• Some experience in UN system organizations is desirable.
• Proficiency in computers and office software packages (MS Office) and experience in handling web-based management systems.
• Experience in use of ERP systems including oneUNOPS application is desirable

• For this position, fluency in English Language (i.e. writing, reading and speaking) is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Contract type: Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA)

Contract level: LICA 7

Contract duration: 6-months 

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

• 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.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us: UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity: With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization: UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Africa Region Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, the Africa Region supports UNOPS country offices in the region, providing financial oversight of projects, procuring goods and services and managing human resources.

AFR helps ensure that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between projects across the entire region.

Somalia Country Office:

UNOPS Somalia Country Office (SOCO) has had a solid and continuous in-country expert presence successfully implementing programs since the mid-1990s, where it is currently undertaking various projects and initiatives in close collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), Federal Member States (FMS) and partners from the global donor community. UNOPS’ projects in Somalia focus on several key sectors that include infrastructure development, institutional capacity building, project management, advisory services, and procurement services. These projects cut across multiple sectors, including education, healthcare, national security, law enforcement, immigration services, justice, transport, and public works among others. UNOPS work in Somalia is geared towards driving growth and development in the country, a process that requires developing a close relationship with the FGS and the other development partners.