Job description
The Position:
The Finance Associate provides high-quality financial services to internal and external clients in the UNFPA Ukraine Country Office (CO). The position is situated within the Operations Unit of the Ukraine CO and reports to the Finance Officer.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2026-2029), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose:
The Finance Associate delivers high-quality financial services to internal and external clients, ensuring compliance with all relevant UNFPA rules, guidelines, processes, and procedures. S/he works closely with programme and project staff, providing financial monitoring, analysis, and advice on expenditure trends and implementation rates. S/he applies a client-oriented, results-focused approach to interpreting policies and procedures, providing support and guidance to the Ukraine CO and UNFPA-supported projects, including financial oversight of implementing partners.
You would be responsible for:
A. Support to the Ukraine Country Office (CO)
- Advise and support UNFPA Ukraine CO staff on financial and administrative matters, including programme budget reallocations, chart of accounts coding, accounting, and application of UNFPA policies.
- Examine and analyze quarterly expenditures to ensure reasonable ending balances, including:
- Monitoring Ukraine CO Operating Fund balances.
- Reconciling submitted reports with the general ledger.
- Analyzing exchange rate gains/losses on operating fund accounts.
- Provide training to Ukraine CO finance staff on financial policy application, Quantum use, and Excel; training may be conducted via teleconference or in-person.
- Review IP FACE submissions for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with UNFPA rules.
- Reconcile IP reports with CO financial records and highlight discrepancies.
- Provide guidance to IPs on correct budget/accounts coding and documentation.
- Track submission deadlines and ensure timely follow-up on outstanding issues.
- Maintain simple records of FACE findings and follow-up actions for reporting purposes.
B. Analysis of Accounts
- Review accounting transactions to ensure compliance with UNFPA financial policies and procedures.
- Review trial balances for reasonableness and advise CO staff on potential discrepancies or errors.
C. Support to Accountability Obligations
- Monitor financial information integrity and completeness via dashboards to facilitate monthly closures. This includes:
- Posting vouchers, managing payments, and reconciling payables and deposits.
- Ensuring timely correction of charges to incorrect accounts.
- Monitoring purchase orders and requisitions to avoid excessive aging.
- Managing petty cash and staff advances, ensuring proper accounting and collection.
- Ensuring programme budgets are not over-allocated.
- Preparing and submitting monthly and quarterly financial reports.
- Monitoring institutional budgets and maintaining filing of finance-related documents.
- Submitting VAT claims, monitoring reimbursements, and acting as VAT focal point as needed.
D. Assistance in Year-End Closure Process
- Prepare financial analyses as requested, including:
- Creation of general ledger journal entries.
- Summarization of trial balances for financial statement preparation.
- Ensure timely submission of year-end certifications and reports.
E. General
- Promote continuous improvement and harmonization of business processes within the Ukraine CO.
- Perform assigned activities to ensure smooth functioning of the finance team.
- Carry out any other duties as required by UNFPA leadership.
Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
Completed Secondary Level Education required. First level university degree in Finance, Business, Public Administration or similar discipline desirable.
Knowledge and Experience:
- Six (6) years of relevant experience in finance-related work experience –accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger maintenance, etc;
- Experience in application of IPSAS or IFRS would be advantageous;
- Proficiency in use of spreadsheets, word processing and computerized accounting systems (preferably PeopleSoft);
- United Nations experience is an asset;
- Proficiency in current office software applications and corporate IT financial systems.
Languages:
- Fluency in English and Ukrainian
Required Competencies:
Values:
- Exemplifying integrity,
- Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
- Embracing cultural diversity,
- Embracing change
Core Competencies:
- Achieving results,
- Being accountable,
- Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
- Thinking analytically and strategically,
- Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
- Communicating for impact
Functional Competencies:
- Managing the organization’s financial resources
- Providing procurement services
- Ensuring facilities and assets management
Managerial Competencies (if applicable):
- Providing strategic focus,
- Engaging in internal/external partners and stakeholders,
- Leading, developing and empowering people, creating a culture of performance
- Making decisions and exercising judgment
Compensation and Benefits:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.
UNFPA Work Environment:
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.
Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.