Syria remains the largest humanitarian emergency in the world, and OCHA coordinates an increasingly complex humanitarian response in a challenging operating environment. OCHA is looking for an experienced Finance Officer for the Humanitarian Financing Unit/the Syrian Humanitarian Fund (SHF).

The core mandate of the SHF is to allocate funding to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity based on humanitarian needs and priorities identified at the country level. By providing timely, coordinated, and principled assistance, SHF enhances the effectiveness and accountability of the humanitarian response.

SHF promotes partnership and diversity in humanitarian efforts by supporting a variety of humanitarian organizations with resources to contribute to the response, and their engagement in Fund governance. SHF identifies best-placed partners, be they local, national or international NGOs, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent (RC/RC) Movement, or UN agencies, to deliver prioritized humanitarian action on the ground.

While addressing humanitarian needs is the primary goal of the SHF, localization is recognized as a secondary aim.

To provide the necessary support related to the Fund’s and projects related financial activities and performance of the fund to inform future funding decisions and engagement with SHF partners.

• Conduct technical reviews to verify that project budgets are factually correct and coherent with the project proposals and their logical frameworks.
• Flag concerns and seek clarifications on issues that may compromise compliance with UN rules and regulations and affect financial transparency and accountability.
• Follow up with partners and verify any refunds due after completion of the projects.

Support during SHF allocations: 

• Support Fund analysis for informing future allocations.
• Facilitate and take part in partner allocation familiarization sessions and partner budget preparation training as per agreed training plans.
• Take part in strategic and technical review meetings, provide budget analysis and feedback on newly submitted applications.

Financial / Budget Review and reporting 

• In consultation with SHF program colleagues undertake detailed budget reviews and revision process of project proposals and advise organizations on recommended revisions, assisting them in budget revision and redrafting if required.
• Undertake detailed budget reviews and liaise with partners on matters related to budget comments and ensure that partners adequately and timely address budget review comments.
• As necessary liaise with CBPF finance to secure timely budget clearance
• Support the Senior Finance Officer in grant agreements preparation and supporting documents to ensure accuracy, consistency, reasonableness and compliance with the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules (UNFRR) and the Country-Based Pooled Funds (CBPF) Guidelines.
• Support partners for timely disbursement and refund processing.
• Provide guidance to partners filing budget revision requests and ensure the timely processing of budget revision requests, feedback and clearance.
• Conduct market cost survey for items commonly purchased under CBPF projects and maintain a database to support cost effectiveness analysis of proposals to CBPF.
• Reconcile advisory reports from HQ with CBPF records on project performance status and financial statements.
• Communicate concerns about proposals, project documents, or implementing partners to the relevant HFU manager.
• Assist in the preparation of financial analyses for the CBPF Annual Reports and other progress or ad-hoc reports.
• Support the Fund Manager in drafting budgets for services to be contracted to outside entities.
• Verify Implementing Partners (IP) financial documentation as required
• Prepare financial analysis for standard and ad-hoc reporting requirements

Financial Management

• Conduct partner sensitization on CBPF procedures and guidelines for accessing grants, as well as regarding compliance with the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules (UNFRR) and the Guidelines for Country-Based Pooled Funds (CBPF) through participation in meetings and workshops.
• Track, collect and review financial reports from SHF partners to ensure accuracy and compliance with CBPF guidelines and provide feedback to partner as necessary.
• Undertake timely interim, and final financial report reviews, feedback and clearance.
• Assist in tracking project spending and ensure that future payments are approved based on satisfactory financial reporting and justification of previous advances.
• Establish a timely schedule / plan for period financial spot-check; liaise with partners and take part in periodic financial spot-check visits to partner offices, in line with operational modalities and guidelines.
• Participate in drafting financial spot-check monitoring reports and recommendations to partners following visits to partners.
• Liaise with service providers carrying out financial audit of partners and financial spot-checks ensuring compliance with the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules (UNFRR).
• Maintain a complete, accurate and updated detailed list of disbursements to IP as required and follow-up on any reimbursements.

Administration

• Support the Fund Manager in liaising with companies carrying out contractual services on behalf of the HFU, and provide support and information as and when required.
• Keeps up to date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to program budgets and the CBPF in general.

Perform other duties as required

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

• Senior Finance Officer and Fund Manager
• National and International HAOs
• National and International NGOs
• United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programs
• CBPF contracted entities providing capacity assessment, monitoring and audit services
• Provincial authorities

Impact of Results:

Develop well-reasoned, innovative suggestions and approaches to problem resolution in dealing with complex financial/budget issues. Assist in the management of funding, programming, projects and partners, ensuring timely delivery of outputs. Help meet organizational objectives and provide sound analytical inputs and advice with respect to coordination of humanitarian financing and monitoring.

Professionalism:

• Ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment. Ability to maintain accurate records, review and interpret a wide variety of data. Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies and operational problems. Shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; remains calm in stressful situations.
• Proven analytical skills: ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, and recommend appropriate solutions. Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. armed conflict, civil strife, natural disasters and human misery).

Judgment and Decision-making:

• Apply sound judgment to resolve a range of issues/problems. Will abide by security guidelines.

Technological Awareness:

• Solid computer skills, including proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet applications, and relevant software packages, including e-mail.

Communication: 

• Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively, including ability to prepare reports and conduct presentations, articulating options concisely, conveying maximum information, making and defending recommendations.

Accountability:

• Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements