Finance Senior Assistant – UNOPS

Job Description

Organization	United Nations Office for Project Services
Job categories	Finance
Job Title	Finance Senior Assistant
Vacancy code	VA/2022/B5019/25201
Department/office	NYSC, PSC, Sudan Project Unit
Duty station	Khartoum, Sudan
Contract type	Local ICA Support
Contract level	LICA-5
Duration	Open-ended (subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance)
Application period	29-Dec-2022 to 20-Jan-2023

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

Background Information – PSC

Peace and Security Cluster

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (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 Head of Cluster is responsible to administer, provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations. It is headed by the Head of Cluster who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Cluster on behalf of its clients.

Background Information – Job-specific

The UNMAS Sudan office is based in Khartoum and works closely with the Government of Sudan and international partners with an aim of reducing the impact of explosive hazards on civilian population. UNMAS Sudan’s main activities include land release, risk education (RE) and victim assistance (VA) in areas affected with explosive ordnance. Currently, South Kordofan, Blue Nile and West Kordofan are affected with mines and ERW while 5 Darfur states are believed to contain ERW only.  UNMAS also provides technical advice and training for Sudan National Mine Action Centre (NMAC) and national mine action NGOs for improving national mine action capacity.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Support Services Officer (SSO), the Finance Senior Assistant will provide financial and administrative assistance, ensuring high quality, accuracy and effective execution of financial services and processes, as well as transparent utilization of financial resources. They will promote a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS financial rules and regulations.

The functional responsibilities include:

• Review of payment requests for completeness prior to processing to ensure that documentation is complete and all information concerning the payment has been supplied;
• Ensure that proper accounting codes are used, and that certification of services rendered and goods delivered is written on the payment document and duly signed by authorized officials;
• Ensure that payment to subcontractors are in compliance with terms and conditions of the agreement;
• Review and confirm that operational transactions are appropriately processed through by interpreting and identifying applicable policies, rules and regulations;
• Gather supporting documents for payments and financial reports for projects; prepare vouchers for projects, PO vouchers, Pay Cycle; and execute payments;
• Issue receipt of goods and services, and establish accruals;
• Maintain the internal expenditures control system to ensure that vouchers processed are matched and completed, that transactions are correctly recorded and posted in the Enterprise system, and that travel claims, TA, TEC and other entitlements are duly processed;
• Prepare monthly expenditure schedules and quarterly year-end statements;
• Perform timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions and unapproved vouchers;
• Review and confirm the validity of charges by verifying authorized amounts, and ensure availability of budget and funds;
• Maintain the Accounts Receivables for projects and record deposits in the Enterprise system;
• Prepare accounts payable and PO vouchers for management projects;
• Prepare payroll register and process monthly payroll;
• Support in running the remittance cycle and Creation of Remittance advice to be sent to the bank;
• Assist with coordinating travel (process travel authorizations, book airline tickets and make hotel reservations), registering each activity on the Travel Register in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP);
• Maintain and control petty cash funds and prepare reports for replenishment;
• Review cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds for disbursements;
• Timely identify and record receipts for income application;
• Prepare bank reconciliations;
• Maintain the office filing system;
• Any other duties as requested by the Supervisor or Head of Section.

Competencies

Integrity & Inclusion: Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Leading Self And Others: Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as a positive leadership role model, motivates, directs, and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Partnering: Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Results Orientation: Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Agility: Open to change and flexible in a fast-paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Solution Focused: Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Effective Communication: Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise, and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• A first level University degree (bachelor or equivalent) in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or equivalent disciplines with one (1) year of relevant experience;

OR

• Secondary School (high school diploma or equivalent) with five (5) years of relevant experience.

Experience

Relevant experience is defined as experience in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related fields at the national or international level.

• Experience working with UN/UNOPS financial rules and regulations, as well as with ERP, is desired;
• Experience/knowledge of web-based applications and Google Suite products (especially Google Forms, Sheets, Docs and Slides) is desired;
• Computer literacy is required.

Languages

• Fluency in English (speaking, writing and reading) is required;
• Fluency in Arabic (speaking, writing and reading) is required;
• Knowledge of another UN official language is desired.

Contract type, level and duration

• Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
• Contract level: ICS-5
• Contract duration: Open-ended (subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance)

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

Additional Information

• 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.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Qualified candidates without UN experience are encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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.

Background Information – Job-specific

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.