Finance Associate

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Myanmar is one of UNOPS principal offices in Asia, acting as fund manager for three of the most extensive development programmes in the country, namely the Three Millennium Development Goal Fund(3MDG), the Livelihood and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) and the Joint Peace Fund (JPF). Also, UNOPS Myanmar is Principal Recipient for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Myanmar and Cambodia, and for the Global Fund¹s Regional Artemisinin-resistance Initiative targeting drug-resistant malaria in the Greater Mekong sub-region. UNOPS provides procurement, infrastructure and project management services to a wide range of organizations in the country, including the Government of Myanmar, international development partners, other UN agencies, NGOs and INGOs. UNOPS Myanmar plays a critical role in ensuring that the quality of services provided to its partners meets stringent requirements of speed, efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following duties which are performed according to organizational needs and structure:

Under the direct supervision of the Finance Officer who reports to the Deputy Head of Finance,Operations the Finance Associate will provide financial and administrative support to the timely processing, recording, monitoring, and maintaining of financial transactions and accounts relating to payments and receipts in accordance with UNOPS’ financial rules, regulations, policies, and processes.

Summary of Key Functions:

1. Administration of budgets and cost-recovery system
2. Accounting, Payments, Payroll 
3. Cash management
4. Knowledge building and Knowledge sharing

1. Administration of budgets and cost-recovery system

Ensures administration of budgets and functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Preparation and modifications of budgets for projects,
• Presentation of researched information for planning and status of office’s financial resources
• Provision of inputs for implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies in consultation with the office management.
• Preparation of cost sharing and trust fund agreements, follow up on contributions within the office’s resource mobilization efforts

2. Accounting, Payments, Payroll

Accounting, Payments, Payroll functions focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Proper control of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports for projects; preparation of all types of vouchers; Pay Cycle and payments execution.
• Proper receipting of goods, services, and establishment of accruals.
• Global payrolls processing in Enterprise system.
• Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, timely corrective actions on unposted voucher taken, including those with budget check errors, match exceptions and unapproved vouchers; transactions are correctly recorded and posted; payrolls are duly prepared and processed; travel claims, MPOs and other entitlements are duly processed
• Review of payment requests including supporting documents against the annual work plan.
• Timely accounts closure
• Timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues.
• Timely corrective actions on erroneous data in. Enterprise system. Preparation of financial reports as required.
• Maintenance of the Accounts Receivables for projects and follow-up with partners on contributions, deposits creation in Enterprise system and their application to pending items.
• Timely reimbursements, payments of costs by the Government
• Preparation of vouchers for projects

• Administer project advances, reconciliations, and replenishments, under authorized approvals as follows
• Liaise with programme officers and conduct necessary project visits to obtain all certified documents evidencing the completion of an activity, incurring of expenditure and identity of the party/vendor;
• Verify and monitor the accuracy of the statements and work plan compliance to provide replenishment of seed funds
• Collect all certified supporting documents, signatures, names and other particulars of the beneficiaries in receipt claims / reimbursements;
• Undertake required recording of transactions
• Reconcile the available balance of funds with the balance shown in the register;
• Where authorized, replenish funds upon receipt of relevant original documents and other evidence, and performing a reconciliation of the figures, beneficiaries, work plan and budget;
• Ensure settlement of the balance of cash in hand.

3. Cash management

Ensures proper cash management functioning focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Alternate to the supervising Finance Associate for 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.
• Alternate to the supervising Finance Associate for daily review of zero-balance account bank statements in Enterprise system to monitor imprest level; identification and recording of contributions.
• Timely and accurate preparation of bank reconciliations.
• Alternate to the supervising Finance Associate for timely preparation of monthly cash flow forecast for use by Operations Manager/ Finance Analyst. Liaison with clients to obtain estimate of their cash requirement.
• Initiation of bank transfers and deals in Enterprise system.
• Creation of bank transfers (replenishment), deals and bank reconciliation processing.
• Effecting of operational Advances after submission of the reconciliation and settlement of the previous advances.

4. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for personnel on finance-related topics.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in human resources.
• Contribute feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.
• As Key Business User provide financial management support in the financial management module of Enterprise system to internal clients.

Impact of Results

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Finance Associate directly impacts the efficient and effective management of financial resources in projects and programmes, demonstrating UNOPS’ effective stewardship of donor and partner funds. These promote the credibility of the organization as an effective service provider in project services and management.

Education

• Completion of secondary school is required.
• CPA, first University Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or equivalent disciplines is desirable but not required.
• Relevant certification in financial management or accounting a distinct advantage.

Experience        

• Minimum of 6 years of relevant working experience within the areas of finance, accounting, business administration or related field is required.
• Knowledge of UNOPS financial rules and regulations; working knowledge of ERP(particularly Agresso)
• Experience with MS Office 2010/or newer versions, and financial management, using electronic systems are desired.
• Some experience in UN system organizations is desirable.

Language Requirements             

• Full knowledge of English language and Myanmar language is essential

Work-life harmonization 

We value our people and recognize the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. UNOPS has a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offers flexible working options. This applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types across the globe.

• 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.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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.