Project Finance Specialist, Multiple positions

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.

This is an opportunity to shape UNOPS approach to project finance management, from project budgeting, cash management and cost recovery to financial reporting and project closure. We are currently looking for two Project Finance Specialists to work with the project finance team with solid experience and expertise in at least one of the following areas:

• Project budgeting and accounting;
• Cost attribution / cost recovery;
• Project cash management;
• Client financial reporting;
• Project financial closure.

We’re looking for new colleagues to help us re-think and improve our project finance practices and focus our financial project management to support project managers and our donors. The ideal candidate will be a Finance Specialist, with a proven track record in one or more of the areas mentioned above, a sound understanding of international finance management best practices, together with an open mind for innovation, and focused on delivering practical solutions.

A good candidate will have an international outlook, experience working in a global or international organisation, ideally with a range of experiences from both public and private sector.

This role has a global scope and will be key in enhancing UNOPS finance practices. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable providing advice to management and personnel on financial issues, as well as coordinating the development and roll out of global project finance initiatives. It will also require drafting project finance related policy documents and process documentation, providing support to audits and liaising with UNOPS internal and external stakeholders as required.

Usually a successful candidate would support the Head of the Project Finance in developing and reviewing policy documents, working on new financial concepts and implementing decisions made by the CFO. The role would also require outreach to high level internal and external stakeholders in addressing financial issues related to project implementation. That can include key decision makers within UNOPS as well as counterparts in other UN organisations and donors. Further tasks may include independently managing issues arising from the implementation of UNOPS policies jointly with IPAS colleagues to ensure a consistent application of the UNOPS financial framework.

• Advanced University degree (Masters) in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related discipline is required.
• A combination of a first level University degree (Bachelors) in finance or related field plus combination with 2 additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master degree

• Minimum 5 years of relevant progressively responsible job related experience in finance or accounting is required
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Office) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, as well as experience in handling of web-based management systems is required.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct financial and budget analysis and to apply basic accounting principles and practices is required.
• International exposure is required.
• Experience in high level stakeholder interaction is desirable.

• 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.

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.