Finance Specialist- Reconciliation

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.

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. 

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. UNOPS Myanmar Support Services are shared across all programmes. The successful delivery of financial services to all UNOPS operations in Myanmar is the responsibility of the Finance Unit, which is comprised of an Operations Team and a Managed Cash Flow Unit (MCFU) with personnel based around Myanmar.The Managed Cash Flow Unit (MCFU) allows the management and implementation of activities in the public sector through a cash transfer and payment process. This MCFU scheme aims to follow the public sector financing standards and to channel the money to support the Government Ministries under whose supervision the services are delivered.

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 overall supervison of the Head of Finance and direct supervision of the Deputy Head of Finance, MCFU, the Finance Specialist, Reconciliations acts as an advisor to Senior Management on all aspects of financial management and operations.This includes strategic financial resources management, within UNOPS rules and regulations. S/he leads the financial management operation, ensuring the financial integrity of the Business Unit’s programmes/ projects operations, consistent delivery of efficient and effective financial management services to the client office, primarily, Budget and Work-plans Preparation and Management; Cash Management and Treasury functions; and Control of Accounts and Payments.  Leading and guiding the Business Unit Financial management Team, s/he fosters collaboration within the team, with programme staff and with other stakeholders with a client-oriented approach. , covering primarily the implementation. The incumbent provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial management issues, maintains oversight over the financial management of projects promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach.

Summary of Key Functions: 1. Implementation of operational and financial management strategies

2. Budget management and organization of the cost-recovery system

3. Control of accounts

4. Cash management

5. Team Management

6. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

1. Implementation of operational and financial management strategies

Ensures the implementation of operational and financial management strategies, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Advice to senior management on strategic financial resources management
• Authoritative interpretation of requirements for handling transactions advice and guidance concerning UNOPS’ financial practices and rules.
• Operational efficiency of the managerial or accounting aspects of the areas managed. Continuous analysis and monitoring of the financial situation, presentation of forecasts for projects.
• Full compliance of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and audit follow up with UN/UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies and IPSAS standards.
• Implementation of the effective internal control, proper design and functioning of the financial resources management system. Periodical review of internal control and procedures
• Performance of appropriate role in Enterprise system for transactions approvals and bank reconciliation.
• Approvals authority of pending disbursements (cheques, bank transfers, EFT) and bank reconciliations.
• Monitoring of financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions and investigation of anomalies or unusual transactions. .
• Proper planning, expenditure tracking and audit of financial resources, including extra-budgetary income in accordance with UNOPS rules and regulations
• Control of the workflows in the Finance Unit.
• Elaboration of the framework and conditions of contributions within the Business Unit’s resources mobilization efforts Elaboration and implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies.
• Informs supervisors and other UNOPS staff at Headquarters of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.

2.    Budget management and organization of the cost-recovery system Manages the project budgets and organizes an optimal cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Financial resources management through planning, guiding, controlling of the resources in accordance with UNOPS rules and regulations with.
• Preparation and monitoring of workplans and budgets of management projects.
• Establishment of the development Workplans, projects’ budgets preparation/modification monitoring system, control of budgetary status versus authorized spending limits (ASL) and budgets delivery levels.
• Sending project budget to KK if authorized by the Senior Management (can be done only on the basis of signed documents and project budgets).
• Elaboration of proper mechanisms to eliminate deficiencies in budget management.
• Preparation of cost-recovery bills in Enterprise system for the services provided by UNOPS

3. Control of accounts Ensures proper control of accounts focusing on achievement of the following  results in compliance with IPSAS and UNOPS policies and procedures:

• Elaboration of the internal expenditures’ control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Enterprise system; payrolls; accounts reconciliations are duly prepared; , travel claims and other entitlements are duly processed, receipting of goods and services and establishment of accruals are properly done

• Timely accounting and reconciliation of all transactions, security for cash assets on site.
• Proper management of the contributions management business process and accounting for contributions to ensure that funds due to UNOPS are properly identified, consistently and uniformly classified, recorded on a timely basis and received with sufficient supporting documentation
• Manager level in Enterprise system
• Control of accounts closure and opening
• Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers. Timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues.
• Control of the Accounts Receivables for UNOPS projects and maintenance of the General Ledger

4.  Cash Management Ensures proper cash management  focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Contribute to the preparation of long-term cash flow forecasts and conduct monthlyreview of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements. Timely identification and recording of receipts for income application.
• Provision of information to supervisors and other UNOPS staff at HQ on the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.Daily review of zero-balance account bank statements in Enterprise system to monitor imprest level; identification and record of contributions.
• Primary contact with local bank management on routine operational matters including negotiation of exchange rate on replenishments.
• Timely and accurate approval of bank reconciliation, including documented review of exceptions.
• Initiation of bank transfers and deals, selecting bank transfers and deals for approval and settlement.
• Performing Paycycle manager role in Enterprise system
• Timely preparation of monthly cashflow forecast for use by Treasury team. Liaison with UN Agencies and projects Budgeting and Reporting officers to obtain an estimate of their cash requirements.
• Cash disbursements made on sites.

5. Team Management

• Facilitate the engagement and provision of high-quality results and services of the team supervised through effective recruitment, work planning, performance management, coaching, and promotion of learning and development.
• Provide oversight, ensuring compliance by team members with existing policies and best practices.

6. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for UNOPS and Government personnel on finance related topics.
• Lead, approve and conduct initiatives on capacity development and knowledge building for Finance personnel, including network development, Work-plans, learning plans and activities, Finance practice information and best practice benchmarking.
• Oversee team’s contributions to Finance knowledge networks and communities of practice including collaborative synthesis of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in human resources management
• Guide team’s collection of feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively. 

Impact of Results

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Finance Specialist directly impact on the availability of UNOPS’ financial resources to effectively develop and implement the organization’s programmes and projects.  It enhances the organizations financial and programme performance, 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.

• CPA or Advanced Degree or equivalent in Business Management, Business Administration or related fields is required.
• A first-level university degree, in combination with two additional years’ qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

• Minimum of five years of professional-level experience in accounting with responsibility for project accounting and preparation of financial statements in an international organization in providing financial management services;
• 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.

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.