Financial Systems Consultant (International)

The External Relations and Communications Department (ERCD), through its External Relations Services (ERS) and Contributions Unit, produces a wide range of regular and ad hoc financial and donor-facing reports that support the Agency's fundraising, accountability, and visibility objectives. As reporting demands from donors, auditors, and the Agency's leadership continue to grow in both volume and complexity, there is a need to review and modernize the tools, processes, and communication formats currently in use, and to consolidate the underlying data that supports them. To support this effort, ERCD is seeking to engage a consultant with expertise in reporting process optimization, data analytics, and technology-enabled automation. The objective of this consultancy is to optimize and modernize ERCD's current reporting processes and the tools used to support them, including the development of a consolidated database drawing on SAP and Zoho data in order to strengthen the clarity, consistency, and visibility of ERCD's financial and donor reporting outputs, and to explore opportunities for greater technology and automation integration within the department.

Remote

October 2026 - July 2026, part-time

The Consultant will be responsible for the activities described below and assist ERCD/ External Relations Services team in modernizing its reporting processes, tools, and underlying data infrastructure. Specific Outputs/Tasks include but are not limited to: 1. Review and assess the existing Zoho database, with findings consolidated into a report outlining possibilities for its consolidation and further use. 2. Review and assess SAP data cube connections and reporting linkages, with findings consolidated into a report outlining possibilities for bridging SAP data across reports. 3. Based on the above, recommend a clear and feasible way forward for utilizing Zoho and SAP data collectively, presented as a detailed workplan. 4. Develop a collective database or accessible file system for online donor data, creating a historical archive available to ERCD. 5. Propose templates for graphs and other illustrative reporting formats suitable for online publication. 6. Review and assess the possibilities of utilizing Power BI across ERCD's reporting, with findings consolidated into a report. 7. Where feasible and agreed, develop a set of Power BI dashboards to support internal clarity and department-wide distribution. 8. Develop a workflow for Power BI and train colleagues on how to update and utilize the resulting database and dashboards. 9. Provide technical assistance to the contributions unit to prepare reports for the Financial Working Group (FWG), with the aim of enhancing clarity and reducing manual updates. 10. As a collective deliverable, prepare a proposed solution for the modernization and streamlining of ERCD's reporting, which may be presented as a consolidated database, subject to the discussions and exploratory reports produced earlier in the contract. 11. Document the data structure, definitions, and update procedures for any database or dashboard developed, to ensure sustainability beyond the consultancy period.

A bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Information Systems, Data Analytics, or another relevant field is required. A minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in financial reporting, data analytics, or business process improvement, preferably in an international context outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of which the candidate is a national or holds citizenship, a passport, or a national identity number.

English and Arabic are the working languages of UNRWA. For this assignment, fluency in English is required. Fluency in Arabic is an asset.

Competencies: Strong analytical and process-improvement mindset, with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable reporting. Practiced communicator with a demonstrated ability to condense information and present it in a well-structured, visually clear format. Ability to work independently and manage relationships across multiple stakeholders (Finance, Treasury, PSP, ERS colleagues). Attention to detail and problem-solving skills. Drive for results and ability to work to deadlines. Reporting and Administration: The Consultant will work under the overall responsibility of the Head of ERS, and in coordination with the Senior Donor Relations Officer, who may assign additional donor-analysis-related tasks relevant to the recurring work of the department. Schedule: Part-time, remote. Specific hours of work and weekly/monthly availability to be agreed with the Head of ERS. This consultancy is equivalent to the P1 level, with a daily rate of USD 197.16.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.