A (least hardship)

Family

Family

NOB

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

2024-08-23

September 7, 2024

Associate Finance Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Regional Controller or Senior Finance Officer and in functional coordination with DFAM’s Accounts and Financial Service (AFS). In the Country or Multi-Country Offices, the incumbent may be supervised by a Senior Finance Officer, Assistant Representative (Admin), Head of Sub-Office, or other senior positions as delegated by the Representative.
The incumbent is responsible for co-ordinating, guiding, monitoring, advising on, and supporting the financial operations in the area of responsibility (AoR). With the objective to safeguard and optimize the utilization of UNHCR’s monetary and physical resources, the incumbent contributes to the establishment of efficient and reliable mechanisms and processes to ensure compliance with UN financial regulations and UNHCR’s rules, policies and procedures including, and not limited to, accounts payable and treasury processes, accounting, and implementation of internal control mechanisms, including support to oversight and audit functions.
The incumbent may support the supervisor with the identification and management of risks under their responsibility in close coordination with the Risk Management and Compliance Advisor. In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent supports the work of the Regional Controller with authority to discuss problems and seek common ground on which to recommend solutions based on predetermined guidelines provided by higher authority.
The incumbent may directly supervise national professional and general service staff.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
– Contribute to the assessment of budgetary needs for administrative budgets (ABOD); monitor and control ABOD expenditure.
– Analyse, evaluate and control disbursements/receipts, as well as expenditure variances against approved budgets;
– Review and approve vouchers, including ABOD and project disbursements.
– Propose monthly cash requirements for the Office, and ensure adequate and timely replenishments of funds.
– Contribute to the preparation and processing of monthly accounts.
– Provide financial status reports to supervisors.
– Analyse and evaluate all financial reports produced on a regular basis.
– Maintain effective business relationships with local banks.
– Assist in ensuring compliance with UNHCR and UN Financial Regulations and Rules, policies and procedures.
– Ensure that payments are effectuated by the monthly deadline.
– Ensure that monthly accounts are correct and approved, and ensure timely monthly bank reconciliations, including open items, review and clearance of unwanted requisitions and PO balances.
– Conduct regular checks of petty cash and cash accounts.
– Perform project control functions, in the absence of a dedicated project control position.
– Participate in the physical verification of UNHCR’s local property, plant and equipment (PPE) and inventories.
– Verify that all financial transactions are correct and in accordance with UNHCR rules and procedures.
– In the absence of a senior finance position, ensure compliance with applicable financial rules, policies and procedures.
– In the absence of a senior finance position, certify country-level financial expenditure reports submitted to the regional office or Headquarters.

Regional financial services applicable to positions in the Regional Bureau only
– In coordination with relevant services in HQ, and to improve cost-effectiveness and process efficiency for operations, assist with the implementation and management of regional finance-related services such as: vendor and other related master data management and maintenance, invoice posting, travel claim processing, payments, bank reconciliations, accounting housekeeping and period cut-off activities, donor financial reporting, etc.
– Make proposals for the continuous improvement of financial monitoring and control mechanisms, including the streamlining of financial systems and procedures.
– In coordination with DFAM’s Change Management and Field Support Section and the Global Learning and Development Centre, identify and provide training on accounting matters, and recommend or develop training modules as necessary, aiming at the development of financial management skills.
– In close liaison with DFAM’s System Administration Section and other divisions as necessary, assist the provision and planning of activities for rollout of new processes or systems; assist the Regional Controller in monitoring the implementing internal control mechanisms and compliance with UNHCR’s financial policies and procedures in the region.

– Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
– Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB – 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Accounting, Finance, Public or Business Administration, Economics
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Professional accounting, auditing or financial management designation (CPA/ACCA/CIA/CMA or equivalent).
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Work experience in the field of accounting/finance, project management, business analysis, quality assurance and/or risk management. Good knowledge of, and experience in working with, international accounting and auditing standards, with a minimum of 1 year of practical experience in the audit process and/or in financial statements preparation. Working experience with accrual accounting (such as IPSAS or IFRS). Experience with financial modules of a major Enterprise Resource Planning system (such as PeopleSoft, SAP or Oracle). Good understanding of project and resource management.

Desirable

Good knowledge of UNHCR systems (such as Focus and MSRP). Excellent knowledge of United Nations financial rules and procedures.

Functional Skills
FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other)
FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc)
PM-Project Monitoring
DM-Data Collection and Analysis
EL-Monitoring and Evaluation
FI-Financial Accounting – Modified cash-based accounting as per international standards
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Regional Bureau Finance Officer.

Proactiveness, multi-tasking, ability to adapt easily to different operational changes and shift in priorities, with excellent communication skills are of great importance. Hands-on knowledge and work experience with Cloud ERP is indispensable. Understanding of COMPASS and WORKDAY are an asset. While functional clearance for the role of Associate Finance Officer is a requirement, the candidate shall also demonstrate knowledge of the financial rules and policies, including at the transactional level to ensure streamlining of the existing processes.

With the objective to safeguard and optimize the utilization of UNHCR’s monetary and physical resources, the incumbent contributes to the establishment of efficient and reliable mechanisms and processes to ensure compliance with UN financial regulations and UNHCR’s rules, policies and procedures including, and not limited to, accounts payable and treasury processes, accounting, and implementation of internal control mechanisms, including support to oversight and audit functions.

a. Languages: good knowledge of French, oral and written, is highly desirable (at least B2 or equivalent).

b. Competencies: analytical thinking and very good attention to detail are indispensable. Excellent communication skills are highly desirable.

c. Skills: advanced knowledge of Excel, including full proficiency with pivot tables is necessary. Hands-on knowledge and work experience with Cloud ERP are necessary as well. Understanding of COMPASS and WORKDAY are desirable.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The Regional Bureau for South Africa covers 8 country operations (Angola, Congo (Democratic Republic of), Congo (the Republic of), Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Southern Africa Multi-Country Office that oversees 9 countries – Botswana, Comoros, eSwatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa. Eight countries in the Southern Africa region are among the 46 least developed countries globally. These include the DRC and Mozambique (also the 2 largest operations, hosts to both refugees and IDPs), Angola, Comoros, Lesotho, Malawi, Madagascar, and Zambia.

The Associate Finance Officer reports to the Bureau’s Finance Officer and is responsible for coordinating, guiding, monitoring, advising on, and supporting the financial operations in the Region, with specific focus on the Bureau’s own operations and transactions. With the objective to safeguard and optimize the utilization of UNHCR’s monetary and physical resources, the incumbent contributes to the establishment of efficient and reliable mechanisms and processes to ensure compliance with UN financial regulations and UNHCR’s rules, policies, and procedures. His/her knowledge of Cloud ERP shall be strong enough to provide first-line support in the Region.

The incumbent should support the Finance Officer by proposing ways to improve the financial monitoring and control mechanisms, identify training required in the Region on accounting and financial matters, and assist the different activities for rollout of new processes or systems.

The work of the Associate Finance Officer is guided by the UN financial regulations and UNHCR’s rules, policies and procedures including, and not limited to, those regulating accounts payable and treasury processes, accounting, and internal control mechanisms. S/he works closely with the Administration and Human Resources Units, who are the main internal clients for this position.

Living and Working Conditions:

Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province in South Africa. It is one of the country’s three capital cities serving as the executive (administrative) and de facto national capital. The other two are Cape Town, the legislative capital and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital. The Central Business District (CBD) of Pretoria has been the traditional centre of government and commerce, although today many corporate offices, small businesses, shops, and government departments are situated in the sprawling suburbs of the city rather than the CBD or in Johannesburg. The city has a population of approximately 1,985,997 as well as large number of foreign nationals.

Pretoria has over the years had very diverse cultural influences and this is reflected in the architectural styles that can be found in the city. The main languages spoken in Pretoria are Pedi, Afrikaans, Tswana, Tsonga, Zulu and English. Ndebele and Sotho are also widely spoken. The living class in Pretoria can be classified as middle to high income earners. The living conditions in South Africa are generally very good. Housing and basic commodities are readily available. The country has an abundance of health providers of all sectors. The country’s infrastructure and communication facilities are of international standard and are amongst the best in the African continent. However, in the last couple of years, the electricity generation has been facing challenges and there are scheduled power cuts on a regular basis.

Depending on schooling needs some staff opt to live in Johannesburg (approx. 40 min one way from Pretoria). Crime continues to be of concern and has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and power cuts. Burglaries (house break-ins) and carjacking are common and those involved are often armed. ATM fraud is also rampant as well as financial related cyber-crime. Even though the position is based in Pretoria, the incumbent is expected to travel on missions to remote locations in the field, where the quality of life and working conditions would be challenged alongside with security concerns.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

DM-Data Collection and Analysis, EL-Monitoring and Evaluation, FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other), FI-Financial Accounting – Modified cash-based accounting as per international standards, FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc), PM-Project Monitoring

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Accounting, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Finance, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Public Professions

Certifications

Accounting – Other, Auditing – Other, Financial Management – Other

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

This position requires Functional Clearance