Finance Assistant

Under the guidance and supervision of the Finance Specialist, the Finance Assistant provides financial services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. The Finance Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Finance Assistant works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and projects’ staff in the Country Office (CO) and with UNDP HQs staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.

• Full compliance of financial processes and financial records with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies.
• Input to the CO business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management.

• Provision of inputs for preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the services provided by UNDP, follow up on cost recovery.

Provides accounting and administrative support to the Finance Unit focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Proper control of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports for NIM projects; preparation of all types of vouchers for projects and on-behalf of  Agencies; PO vouchers; Pay Cycle and payment execution.
• Proper receipting of goods and services and establishment of accruals.
• Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas; travel claims, MPOs and other entitlements are duly processed
• Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers. 
• Presentation of information on the status of financial resources as required.
• Maintenance of the Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects and recording of deposits in Atlas. 
• Management of cash receipts and petty cash.

• Timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements. Timely identification and recording of receipts for income application.
• Daily review of zero-balance account bank statements in Atlas to monitor imprest level; identification and recording of contributions.
• Preparation of monthly UN exchange rate report to Treasury.
• Timely and accurate preparation of bank reconciliations.
• Initiation of bank transfers and deals in Atlas.
• Prepare the country office’s monthly cash forecast.
• Liaise with Iraqi banks on banking operational issues

• Participation in the trainings for the operations/ projects staff on Finance.
• Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Functional Competencies:             

Building Partnerships

• Tracks and reports on mobilized resources

Promoting Organizational Learning And Knowledge Sharing

• Identifies and communicates opportunities to promote learning and knowledge sharing

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position (financial resources management)
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures related to the financial resources  management and applies them consistently in work tasks
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments

Promoting Organizational Change and Development

• Demonstrates ability to identify problems and proposes solutions

Design and Implementation of Management Systems

• Uses information/databases/other management systems;
• Makes recommendations related to work procedures and implementation of management systems.

Client Orientation

• Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
• Responds to client needs promptly.

Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management

• Maintains databases;
• Prepares timely inputs to reports.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
• Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Informed and transparent decision making.

• Secondary Education with hands-on relevant experience in Accounting and Finance OR Bachelor’s Degree in finance, accounting, business administration with 2  year relevant working experience  or part-qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy.

• 5 years of relevant finance/accounting experience at the national or international level is required. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems. Experience with ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft, desirable;
• Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS  desirable.

• Fluency in English. Knowledge of Arabic and/or  Kurdish  is desirable.