Finance Assistant

Under the guidance and supervision of the Regional Practice Advisor – Finance and direct supervisor, the Finance Assistant in IPAS Finance at Headquarters, Copenhagen, provides financial assistance ensuring high quality, accuracy and effective execution of financial services and processes and transparent utilization of financial resources. The Finance Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS financial rules and regulations.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Support to Banking & Treasury operations.
• Account reconciliation, bank reconciliation.
• Assistance in finance and accounting to support IPAS Finance team.

Support to Banking & Treasury operations:

• Preparation, upload and initiation of payment files in HQ managed banks.
• Create Account Receivables in the UNOPS ERP system.
• Running remittances for Integrated and/or Non-Integrated HQ and field offices’ bank accounts.
• Creation and amendment of supplier profiles.
• Review and confirmation of validity of charges by verifying authorized amounts and ensuring availability of budget and funds.
• Respond to banking and payment queries from vendors and UNOPS offices.
• Follow up and resolve payment rejections with UNOPS bank and financial institutions.
• Assist in the process of opening, replenishing and closing of field bank accounts, and document selection and structure of local cash provision at the field level.
• Preparation and initiation of vouchers and review of supporting documents to ensure completeness, accuracy and correctness of accounts codes charges; entry of transactions in the computerized accounting and finance system.
• Review and confirmation of appropriateness of operational transactions processed through the interpretation and determination of applicable policies, regulations, rules, i.e. disbursements within authorized limits, payroll, contractual agreements, payments to suppliers, travel claims, etc.
• Support to Treasury for the implementation of various IT platforms among which the Host-To-Host, the Treasury Management System implementation and other banking interfaces.

Account reconciliation and bank reconciliation:

• Perform reconciliation of General Ledger accounts and verify data accuracy in a comprehensive manner, involving field offices and third partied when required.
• Be responsible for the timeliness provision and correctness of financial data coming from field offices and other third parties.
• Perform bank reconciliation of bank accounts with thoughtful accuracy and timely action in line with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations.
• Review monthly reconciliations of local bank accounts and carry out analysis of cash utilizations.

Assistance in finance and accounting to support IPAS Finance team:

• Communication with colleagues/clients on areas requiring verification, corrections, additional information, etc. to improve quality of output and/or account submission and increase knowledge base in the process.
• Verify and check accuracy and completeness of data.
• Facilitate meetings, trainings, workshops, conferences and seminars.
• Assist in drafting reports and minutes during the meetings.
• Support the finance team providing assistance during peak workload or back up as necessary, to ensure completion of work objectives.

Education:

• Bachelor degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, International Business, Management or other finance-related field is required.
• Master degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, International Business, Management or other related field is desirable.

Experience:

• 2 years of relevant experience is required at the national or international level.
• Proficient experience with office software packages (MS Office) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database is required.
• Experience in handling of web-based management systems is desirable

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and oral English required.
• Proficient knowledge of French and/or Spanish is desirable.
• Knowledge of other UN working language would be an asset.

• Advanced analytical, organization, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent collaboration, verbal and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Interested in process improvement.
• Willing to adapt quickly to quick changes in direction.
• Internally motivated to seek out answers, generate ideas, and develop new skills.
• In addition to UNOPS core values/competencies, capacity for problem solving, attention to critical detail and innovative solutions.
• Strong team and client orientation, planning and organization skills necessary.
• Ability to work with accuracy under pressure and with minimum supervision.

• 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.

• Contract type: Local ICA
• Contract level: LICA 5
• Contract duration: open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

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 

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.