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Project Finance Specialist

Copenhagen

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Copenhagen
  • Grade: Mid level - IICA-2, International Individual Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Administrative support
    • Banking and Finance
    • Public Policy and Administration
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Job-specific

The Project Finance Specialist reports to the Head of Project Finance who provides broad supervision and guidance. The role is a business partner to UNOPS projects, providing in-depth advice on costing and pricing matters.  This includes helping to advance UNOPS cost recovery mechanisms and policies and supporting field operations with hands-on project finance accounting.  This team operates as a centre of excellence, providing seamless, appropriate, relevant and pro-active project specific reporting.  The role includes facilitating project implementation and closure in close collaboration with the Integrated Practice Advisory Service (IPAS) and providing outreach and training on all things related to project finance.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of functions:

  1. Costing and Pricing
  2. Project implementation and closure
  3. Capacity building 

1.     Costing and pricing

  • Contribute to the development of UNOPS pricing systems configuration, including fee charging tool, master data and reporting;
  • Contribute to UNOPS approach to cost distribution and recovery through analysis and further development, formulation and oversight of implementation of policies, administrative instructions and tools;
  • Constantly monitor and evaluate policies, procedures, methods, tools and associated systems to ensure their utility, applicability and efficacy;
  • Provide policy guidance, advise, training and operational support to internal stakeholders to strengthen their capacity to operate efficiently and to achieve results;
  • Collaborate with UNOPS internal and external partners, colleagues and stakeholders to keep abreast of best practice and evolving trends, development and needs, share ideas for improvements and align services according to needs;
  • Facilitate budget allocations/reallocations/revisions, ensuring compliance with rules, regulations and procedures and appropriate controls. 

2.   Project implementation and closure

  • Provides direct support and advice for financial proposal non-compliant to UNOPS pricing and costing policies.
  • Contribute effectively to the Review Memorandum of Understanding (MOU’s) for financial aspects.
  • Participate to the establishment of administrative instruction on the administration of project funds.
  • Coordinate the development of guidance and templates for project closure.
  • Support the implementation of monitoring systems of overspend for implementation projects.
  • Coordinate the support for project audit preparation and implementation of project audit recommendations.
  • Work in close collaboration with IPAS to ensure the effectiveness of project implementation and closure policies and tools.

3.       Capacity building

  • Contribute to the development of internal capacity across the organization in terms of project finance.
  • Constantly monitor and evaluate policies, procedures, methods, tools and associated systems to ensure its utility, applicability and efficacy.
  • Recommend, or develop new policies and procedures and introduce innovation and best practices in business operations to enhance services.
  • Design refinements to processes to maximise the benefits of management information system to enhance efficiency and facilitate organisational/management monitoring, oversight and reporting.
  • Organise training events and design/set training agenda to build capacity of stakeholders on project finance. Determine and make available sufficient and expert resources for training events.
Impact results.
The key results have an impact on the overall UNOPS efficiency in financial resources management and success in introduction and implementation of operational strategies. Accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial information, timely and appropriate delivery of services ensure client satisfaction and enhance UNOPS credibility in use of financial resources.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

  • An Advanced University degree (Master's or equivalent)  in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related discipline is required;
  • A first-level university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master's degree.
  • CA or CPA or equivalent is desirable
Experience:
  • At least 5 years of progressively responsible job related experience in operations or finance, preferably in decision-making authority with respect to complex budgets.
  • Mastery of Microsoft Office, in particular Excel required.
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct financial and budget analysis and to apply basic cost accounting principles and practices.
Language:
  • Full working knowledge of English is required.
  • Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement 
Contract level: IICA 2 (ICS10)
Contract duration: 1 year, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability


For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

Additional Considerations

  • 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.

Background Information - FG

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.

Background Information - UNOPS

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.  
This vacancy is now closed.
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