Financial Reporting Specialist

UNOPS headquarters is located in Copenhagen, Denmark. It provides strategic direction,

policy guidance, and operational support to UNOPS offices worldwide.

The Finance Group serves as a strategic partner and fiduciary advisor, ensuring transparent, accountable, and effective resource management across UNOPS. The Group defines financial strategy in alignment with organizational goals, establishes finance policies, systems, and processes, and leads corporate budgeting to enable full cost recovery and ensure long-term financial sustainability. Throughout the project lifecycle, the Finance Group provides expert guidance, oversight, and tailored financial solutions. Responsibilities include delivering comprehensive financial and corporate performance reporting, strengthening financial capacity across the organization, and continuously enhancing resource planning and allocation. In addition, the Finance Group prepares and oversees the implementation of finance-related policies, upholding the highest standards of financial stewardship and supporting UNOPS in achieving operational excellence and fiscal responsibility.

This is a roster replenishment, i.e. a call for applications for future function-specific opportunities, determined by emerging needs. The process is similar to a regular recruitment, but is not linked to a current vacancy. It can be used to hire into ICA and FT contracts, in Copenhagen or various duty stations.

The Financial Reporting Specialist reports to the Chief of Financial Statements and UNBOA Relationswho provides broad supervision and guidance. The Financial Reporting Specialist is   responsible for efficient financial reporting and the provision of accurate, thoroughly    researched, and documented financial information for the preparation of the financial    statement. He/she analyzes and interprets the financial rules and regulations and the    applicable accounting standards (IPSAS) and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of    complex financial issues.  The Financial Reporting Specialist supervises support personnel and promotes a client oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations.

 1.Corporate Financial Statements and Audit 

• Prepare corporate financial statements, in compliance with International Public   Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), including all the necessary supporting schedules and notes. 
• Prepare quarterly and year-end analysis of corporate financial statements for management review.  
• Prepare analysis and feedback to queries from internal and external stakeholders related to corporate financial statements and working files.  
• Ensure compliance with IPSAS Accounting Standards and provide expert advice and   support in the regular book closure and year-end closure process and application of   IPSAS.  
• Take the lead in monthly, quarterly, and year-end closing schedules and calendars of activities. 

       2. Financial Oversight and Monitoring 

• Exercise periodic monitoring over transactions and account balances to ensure   recording and reporting in accordance with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations   and other applicable Organizational Directives and Operational Instructions. 
• Take a proactive approach to identifying issues related to data quality and liaise with related parties in the organization to ensure timely and necessary corrections.
• Maintain a log of issues identified, analyze data, and draw a holistic action plan to   improve processes and establish necessary controls based on lessons learned.
• Contribute to developing and maintaining a strong control environment around   financial reporting and the integrity of data used for the preparation of corporate   financial statements. 
• Ensure that all deadlines applicable to book closure and reporting are met.

       3. Internal and External Audit  

• Prepare audit-related reports to be submitted to the UN Board of Auditors, UNOPS   Executive Board, and UNOPS management.  
• Provide support to the Head of Financial Statements and Audit during Internal and   External audit processes. 
• Coordinate with external auditors during interim and year-end audits. 
• Monitor, manage, and take follow-up actions on both Internal and External audit   recommendations with the concerned Practices in HQ and field offices.    

        4. Capacity Building / System Improvement    

• Support process documentation and continuous process improvements. 
• Become a subject matter expert for the Financial Reporting requirements of the UNOPS ERP system. 
• Develop innovative solutions to optimize financial processes, reduce manual work, and increase automation around financial reporting.
• Responsible for providing guidance and advice to finance practitioners in the area of financial accounting, interpretation, and operational guidance on the application of the Accounting standards and UNOPS FRR.                

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in Finance, Accounting, Financial Management or a related field is required.  with 7 years of relevant experience OR
• A Master's Degree  (or equivalent) in any of the above disciplines with 5 years of relevant experience is required.
• Fully Qualified Accountant qualification with a  recognised accountancy body (CA, CPA, ACCA, ACA, etc) is required. 

Desired

• Specialized certifications such as CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy) is considered an asset.

Required

• Relevant experience is defined as financial reporting working  experience within an international environment is required. 
• A thorough knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is required.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.