Head of Financial Statements and Audit

UNOPS mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS provides its partners with advisory, implementation and transactional services, with projects ranging from building schools and hospitals, to procuring goods and services and training local personnel. UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects we support, with a focus on developing national capacity.

UNOPS vision is a world where people can live full lives supported by appropriate, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, and by the efficient and transparent use of public resources in procurement and project management.

With over 8,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it.  By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.  

The Finance Group (FG) is a critical and strategic business function in UNOPS and serves as an authoritative and integrated partner in the organization on strategic financial planning and budgeting, business strategy and practices, financial analysis and risk assessment, financial management services and long term organisational treasury and investments.  As the steward of resources of a self-financing UN entity, FG is accountable for timely cost recovery and reporting to partners, maintaining the integrity and transparency of financial management of resources in accordance with the highest standards of ethics and organisational/international accountability framework and the accurate and transparent financial reporting to governing bodies, clients, partners and stakeholders.

The Head of Financial Statements and Audit reports to the Deputy Chief Financial Officer who provides broad supervision and guidance. The role is responsible for leading monthly and annual books closure process.  The role also includes leading the production of annual financial statements including financial reporting (regular reports on cash, assets, liabilities etc.).  It also manages the internal and external audit processes including follow-up on recommendations.

Summary of functions

1. Financial statements

2. Audit

3. Corporate advisory

4. Team leadership

5. Knowledge management and innovation

1.     Financial statements        

• Lead all aspects of the monthly, quarterly and year-end closures of accounts and the preparation of IPSAS compliant financial statements.

• Ensure accuracy, integrity, quality and timeliness of all financial statements and transactions.

• Address and promptly resolve any issues arising from processing anomalies.

• Review and approve year-end accounting reports for accuracy and compliance with UNOPS accounting standards and principles before submission to the CFO.

• Prepare periodic finance related reports for senior management review and oversight.

• Maintain custody over UNOPS general ledger and provide technical leadership and guidance on compliance with IPSAS on all financial transactions recording and reporting.

• Manage and oversee IPSAS compliance including development and operationalization of all related policies, regulations, rules, procedures.

• Work with key stakeholders across the organisation to ensure risks associated with the production of the annual report are identified and managed accordingly.

• Coordinate interface between ICT and organisation-wide stakeholders to ensure that all processes and reporting impacting the production of the Financial statements are operational, accurate, secure and present the level of integrity from an internal control perspective to ensure appropriate security in terms of accuracy, completeness and timeliness to ensure a positive audit outcome at all times.

2.     Audit        

• Assist the Deputy CFO in managing the relationship with the UN Board of audit as well as Internal audit in relation to any audit impacting the production of the financial statements.

• Coordinates, directs, plans and executes the financial reporting component of the external audit.

• Respond to inquiries and findings.

• Evaluate UN Board of Audit observations and follow up timely undertaking of necessary corrective actions.

• Assist internal auditors with financial accounting related reviews and, where agreed, implement recommendations for procedural changes.

3.     Corporate advisory        

• Prepare and/or confirm accuracy and relevance of financial input to UNOPS Strategic Plan and related documents.

• Contribute to timely and accurate financial reporting to the Executive Board, management, donors (annual and final donor certified donor reports) and other external bodies.

• Prepare regular financial management reports including forecasts and past and current expenditure trends and patterns for senior management review and for evaluation of UNOPS financial health.

4.     Team leadership        

• Provide substantive input to the CFO and Deputy CFO on FG constant improvement plans. .

• Establish team priorities, and supervise the implementation of work plans.

• With the Deputy CFO, set team objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and client focused services. Monitor implementation and oversee progress.

• With the Deputy CFO, plan and allocate resources (human, financial and administrative) to achieve goals and ensure the cost effective and appropriate use of resources in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework.

• Promote teamwork and collaboration by providing the team with clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.

• Plan, recruit and develop a flexible workforce with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance, and ensure gender and geographical diversity.

• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

5.     Knowledge management and innovation        

• Contribute to the development of internal capacity across the organization in terms of financial accounting.

• Constantly monitor and evaluate policies, procedures, methods, tools and associated systems to ensure its utility, applicability and efficacy.

• Recommend, set and/or develop new policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices in business operations to enhance services.

• Design/approve refinements to processes to maximise the benefits of management information system to enhance efficiency and facilitate organisational/management monitoring, oversight and reporting.

• Lead/organise training events and design/set training agenda to build capacity of stakeholders on financial accounting and reporting. Determine and make available sufficient and expert resources for training events.

 Impact of results
The responsible and transparent financial analysis and reporting of financial resources to governing bodies, clients, partners and stakeholders enhance the visibility and image of the UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and consequently strengthen its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services in the country served.

• A Masters degree in finance, accounting, business administration, economics or other related financial field is required.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in financial accounting in a large international organisation or business corporation is required.
• Managerial experience at the international level is required.
• In depth knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards.
• Some experience in UN system organisations an asset. Full working knowledge of English.  
  Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.   

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.