JOB DESCRIPTION

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential Location

Non Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay

Addis Ababa,Eth Fed Dem Rep

GS6

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-08-15

August 3, 2025

Finance Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Finance Associate is normally supervised by a more senior finance colleague who defines general work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance. The incumbent also refers to UNHCR Manuals and relevant policy papers on financial issues.
The incumbent assists with the processing of financial transactions. S/he keeps frequent contact with staff at various levels in the office and with bank officials to exchange information. The incumbent may supervise some support 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
– Maintain financial records and monitoring systems to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, payments, statements and other data for day-to-day transactions and reports.
– Select and enter data from a wide variety of documents, verifying accuracy by checking sources, making necessary calculations and assuring inclusion of all relevant data.
– Prepare recurring reports as scheduled and special reports as required for budget preparation, audits or other reasons.
– Advise and assist staff members, experts and consultants on all aspects of allowances, salary advances, travel claims and other financial matters, calculate and authorize payments due for claims and services.
– Maintain liaison with officials of local banks to obtain day-to-day information on exchange and interest rates, changes in procedures and regulations and matters pertaining to maintenance of office bank accounts.
– Prepare detailed cost estimates and participate in budget analysis and projections as required.
– Initiate correspondence to verify data, answer queries and obtain additional information on accounts and financial transactions, as required.
– Verify that the financial transactions are correct and in accordance with UNHCR rules and procedures.

– 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
G6 – 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
Accounting Business Administration, Finance
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
High level of IT affinity (MS Office applications, People Soft).

Desirable
Knowledge and work experience of MSRP Finance applications.
Good knowledge of UN/UNHCR Financial rules and procedures.
Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to the functions of the position.

Functional Skills
FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other)
IT-Computer Literacy
IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
(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.

Have previous working experience in complex emergency context as well as experience in post emergency management with adept skills on multi office operations.
The incumbent should have skills in the management of key areas
The incumbent should have proficiency in Cloud ERP system and Workday
Experience in international or non-profit organizations (e.g., UN, NGOs).
Knowledge of donor reporting or grant management.
Multilingual abilities, especially in English and local languages.
Analytical Thinking: Ability to interpret financial data and identify trends or discrepancies.
Attention to Detail: Accuracy in data entry, reporting, and compliance.
Technical Proficiency: Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, formulas); knowledge of accounting principles (GAAP/IFRS).
Communication: Clear written and verbal communication for reporting and collaboration.
Problem-Solving: Ability to troubleshoot financial issues and propose solutions.
The role requires the ability to manage competing priorities independently, exercise sound judgment, and maintain effective interpersonal relationships.
Experience in Cross-cultural sensitivity and the ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds are essential.
Prior experience working with auditors is highly desirable

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational health and safety considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

Gambella region hosts the largest number of refugees in Ethiopia and as of March Gambella camps hosts over 380,000 refugees who form 42% of over 890,000 registered population in Ethiopia. Gambella covers a total of seven camps namely: Okugo, Tierkidi, Kule, Jewi and Nguenyyiel, Pugnido 1 & 2 situated in Gambella Peoples’ National Regional State which is an administrative region in western part of Ethiopia and hosts over 400 000 claimed as natives of this region.  Some of the refugees have been settled in Akula village. About 98% of the refugees are of Nuer ethnicity displaced from Unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei states in South Sudan. This should also include the emergency operation resulting from the recent and ongoing influx of South Sudanese refugees at the border points of Burubiey and in the Matar area, as they flee the conflict stemming from political instability in their country.”

The Finance Associate will work under the direct supervision of the Associate Administrative Officer and will be responsible for supporting the efficient delivery of Maintain accurate financial records and monitoring systems to track and reconcile expenditures, balances, payments, statements, and other data related to daily transactions and reporting. Select and input data from a wide range of documents, ensuring accuracy through source verification, necessary calculations, and inclusion of all relevant information.

Prepare scheduled financial reports and ad hoc reports as needed for budget planning, audits, and other purposes. Provide guidance and support to staff, experts, and consultants on matters related to allowances, salary advances, travel claims, and other financial issues; calculate and authorize payments accordingly.

Liaise with local bank officials to obtain up-to-date information on exchange rates, interest rates, procedural changes, and regulations affecting office bank accounts. Develop detailed cost estimates and contribute to budget analysis and forecasting as required.

Draft correspondence to verify financial data, respond to inquiries, and gather additional information on accounts and transactions. Ensure all financial transactions comply with UNHCR rules and procedures.

Assist in the preparation of annual budgets and quarterly forecasts. Support budget planning and cost estimation processes process and reconcile financial transactions, including accounts payable and receivable. Maintain accurate financial records and general ledger entries, support with tax filings and specially VAT recovery, payroll documentation, and other financial administrative tasks.

Maintain confidentiality and integrity in handling sensitive financial information, process and reconcile financial transactions, including accounts payable and receivable. Maintain accurate financial records and general ledger entries..

Living and Working Conditions:

Gambella is a non-family duty station. Guesthouses for staff are provided. There are limited banking and medical facilities. There are daily commercial flights between Addis Ababa and Gambella. The diversity of topography in Ethiopia has resulted in a wide variety of climate in the country.    The climate in Gambella is classified as tropical. The hottest season of the region is in March/April and temperature may rise to 45°C, followed by a long rainy season. Road network within the region is often affected by the heavy rainfall during the rainy season. The average annual temperature in Gambella is 27.6°C. The average annual rainfall is 1148 mm. Gambella and due to its conditions is a malaria prone area amongst other tropical diseases. Internet and communications networks are available at the 2 compounds. Remoteness, isolation and lack of entertainment in social life are factors to be also considered prior to applying.

Gambella is classified as security level – 3. The security situation in Gambella region has seen a significant deterioration in early 2016 with clashes amongst ethnic groups. This type of tensions remains up to date despite a significant improvement witnessed following a change in the leadership that took place in August 2024. At this stage, the current security situation in the entire Gambella region remain calm but still unpredictable.  The most relevant threats for UN staff remain opportunistic crime   Criminality in this region is a significant security concern, considering the socio-economic state of affairs. Therefore, reports of house break-ins and street robberies are common. The restrictions of movement at times imposed on the movement of staff and activities in the field, due to the security situation was reduced and efforts by the regional authorities to maintain this trend is ongoing although the tension is deep rooted between the 2 rival ethnical groups who have been confronting each other for several years. The security setting is expected to remain the same with no major changes according to the current reading of the situation.   Curfew time is from 19:00 to 06:00 hrs.  Road accidents are very common in Ethiopia due to reckless driving, non-enforcement of traffic laws and road infrastructures. Other features to consider are the weather conditions and related implications in staff movements. This factor is particularly relevant during the rainy season.

Currently, there is an ongoing emergency in relation to the ongoing conflict in South Sudan that has triggered a significant influx of new arrivals into Burbiey, located in the western part of Gambella. This development has necessitated urgent missions to the area to assess and respond to the humanitarian needs of the affected population, particularly persons of concern requiring immediate protection and assistance

Additional Qualifications

Skills

FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other), IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

Certifications

Accounting – Other, Business Administration – Other, Finance – Other

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness

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

Compendium

Additional Information

Position is opened to ONLY Ethiopian nationals
Women are strongly encouraged to apply in order to promote gender-balance within UNHCR.
Candidates may be subjected to assessment (written or oral interview).
The candidate must be immediately available

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance