Location:

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Salary:

$100,000 - $135,000 / YEAR
Job type:

FULL_TIME
Posted:

2 months ago
Category:

Finance
Deadline:

14/10/2025

JOB DESCRIPTION

Deadline for Applications

October 13, 2025

Grade

GS5

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment

Hardship Level

A (least hardship)

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Target Start Date

2025-11-01

Target End Date

2025-12-31

Standard Job Description

Senior Finance Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Finance Assistant is normally supervised by a more senior finance colleague who defines work objectives and provides regular 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.

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 for project or other office accounts for which responsibility is assigned.
– Record receipts and payments, assure accuracy of computation and completeness of documents and maintain continuing status of allotments against obligations.
– Prepare recurring reports on assigned accounts, noting problems resulting from excess cost or less-than-expected receipts.
– Prepare special reports to clarify problems or as requested for other reasons.
– Calculate and compile cost estimates and projected budget requirements and assist in preparation of budget statements for area of assignment.
– Prepare routine correspondence and maintain contracts with others to discuss matters concerning accounts and related assignments.
– Maintain contacts with local banks to clarify questions pertaining to office bank accounts.
– Brief and assist new staff on basic financial procedures and requirements with respect to payments, entitlements, banking and currency provisions and other requirements relating to accounts and finance.
– Initiate correspondence to verify data, answer queries and obtain additional information on accounts and financial transactions, as required.

– 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 G5 – 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
Accounting; Business Administration; Finance; HCR Learning Prog;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified

Desirable
Not specified

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other)
IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
(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.

Desired Candidate Profile

Operational Context

The AP Transitional support Hub is established to provide transitional, centralized support to country operations across the Asia-Pacific region in the wake of structural and operational changes resulting from organizational reforms. With several field offices operating with limited capacities in support functions due to footprint reductions, the Hub plays a critical interim transitional role in ensuring continuity and quality of transactional services until (Global Shared Services) GSS is fully operational and absorbs the functions of the Hub.

The Finance Section of the Hub delivers transactional financial services to selected operations (multiple business units), including support with invoice processing, accounts receivables, month-end and year-end closing processes. These services are guided by organizational financial rules and procedures, and aligned with global standards and internal control frameworks. Snr. Finance Assistant is responsible for executing day-to-day financial operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timeliness in processing transactions.

The Snr. Finance Assistant will work under the supervision of the Hub Manager, in close coordination with respective operations and finance Unit of the regional Bureau. The position requires a strong understanding of financial processes, attention to detail, and a client-service mindset. Snr. Finance Assistant must also be able to work in a high-volume, fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities and maintaining high standards of accuracy and compliance.

The work is highly transactional in nature but strategically significant, as it helps strengthen financial accountability and operational efficiency in some of the region’s most resource-constrained locations.
The Hub operates in a dynamic, multicultural environment that requires flexibility, adaptability, and a commitment to collaborative problem-solving

Located in UNHCR Office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as part of AP transitional Support Hub, the Snr. Finance Assistant operates under the supervision of the Hub Manager, with Functional technical dotted line to the Regional Bureau of Asia and Pacific.

The Hub manager will provide general guidance and work plans for identifying work priorities and appropriate approaches. The incumbent will receive technical and functional guidance from the Finance Unit at the Regional Bureau on the financial issues, transactional work in line with financial policies and procedures. Snr. Finance Assistant should support the effective delivery of transactional finance services for operations in the region, in alignment with organizational financial rules, procedures, and internal controls.

Snr. Finance Assistant will:
• Process manual invoices, prepayments
• Initiate or review accounts receivable (AR) transactions, including AR invoices, receipts, and reconciliations.
• Monitor and reconcile operational advances, ensuring timely clearance and follow-up.
• Support month-end and year-end closing activities, including accruals and reconciliations.

In addition to carrying out the responsibilities as described in the Standard Job Description, the specific responsibilities of the incumbent are to process financial transactions, provide support to month-end and year end procedures.

The incumbent will contribute towards key performance Indicators in compliance with UNHCR Financial policies and procedures

Skills for such would also be desirable, including the exposure to use of web-based, online tools.

S/he should be a strong team player, good communicator, flexible and proactive to support in managing range of issues, challenges, promoting collaboration and diversity in a multicultural environment.

Desired Candidate Profile:

• The ideal candidate should have a good understanding and knowledge of UNHCR (or similar organization’s) Financial Management policy, administration rules, and regulations
• Past experience of working in a transactional environment providing client services
• Experience of working with Enterprise Resource Management (cloud based) management software (like Cloud ERP) or similar applications
• Advanced proficiency in excel spreadsheet management and other financial tools.
• Understanding internal controls and audit preparedness as well as working in administrative and financial roles
• Strong attention to detail and numerical accuracy
• Ability to maintain structure and discipline in managing transactional workload
• Client-focused with good communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to manage priorities and meet deadlines in a high-volume environment
• Integrity, discretion, and professionalism

Functional Clearance

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance