Associate Administrative / Finance Officer

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Associate Administrative/Finance Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Associate Admin/Finance Officers will establish and maintain efficient administrative control mechanisms to ensure compliance with UNHCR and UN administrative, human resources and financial rules and procedures.

Frequent external contacts with counterparts in other organizations or at working level in national Governments on issues of importance to Organization's programmes. He/she acts as adviser or representative of the Organization with authority to discuss problems and seek common ground on which to recommend solutions based on predetermined guidelines provided by higher authority.

The incumbent directly supervises general service staff.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
* UNHCR premises for the country operation are managed in an efficient and cost-effective manner, and provide a healthy, safe and respectful working environment.
* UNHCR's financial rules and regulations, policies and procedures are adhered to by the country operation.
* UNHCR's local cash is safeguarded.

Responsibility
General Administration
* Assist in the day-to-day personnel and administrative operations of the office.
* Contribute to providing a healthy and respectful working environment, free from hazard or security risks.
* Assist with the implementation of processes and procedures to improve and strengthen internal controls in line with UNHCR rules and regulations.
* Participate in the physical verification of UNHCR property plant and equipment.

Human Resources
* Participate in the recruitment and appointment process, and assist with administrative formalities concerning local General Service staff.
* Coordinate training and capacity-building activities to staff in administrative related areas.

Finance/Budget
* Contribute to the process to determine the country's budget.
* Provide guidance and support on UNHCR's internal control framework, financial rules, policies and procedures.
* Identify potential risks in relation to the financial management of the office, and propose mitigating action to senior management, when applicable.
* Conduct regular checks of petty cash and cash accounts.
* Control and check the monthly accounts and various administrative activities, in order to verify and certify disbursements are in accordance with the administrative budget and UNHCR's Financial Rules.
* Provide training on financial matters.

Authority
* Participate in the interview process for the recruitment of local staff.
* Certify that disbursements are in accordance with the administrative budget and UNHCR's Financial Rules.
* Approve vouchers, including ABOD and project disbursements.
* Prepare financial status reports.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
* Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS)  in Accounting, Finance, Public or Business Administration, Economics or related field, OR undergraduate degree in another field combined with a professional qualification in accounting or finance (CPA/CIA or equivalent) plus minimum 3 years of previous work experience relevant to the function. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) plus 2 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 1 year of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
* Excellent computer skills, in particular in MS Office applications.
* Excellent communication skills.
* Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
* Professional qualification in accounting or finance (CPA/CIA or equivalent).
* Working experience of at least one year in an intergovernmental organization (United Nations or similar).
* Good knowledge of United Nations administrative, human resources and financial rules and procedures.
* Working experience with PeopleSoft/Oracle Financial and/or HR modules.
* Knowledge of additional UN languages.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Associate Administrative/Finance Officer positions. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates. C001L2 - Accountability Level 2
C002L2 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 2
C003L2 - Communication Level 2
C004L2 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 2
C005L2 - Client & Result Orientation Level 2
C006L2 - Organizational Awareness Level 2
M003L2 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 2
M006L2 - Managing Resources Level 2
X001L2 - Analytical Thinking Level 2
X005L2 - Planning and Organizing Level 2 <p>The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.</p>
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
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For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage them – before deciding to apply- to read the country specific security and welfare country profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care.

Staff after having applied to High Risk Duty Stations will have access to country specific information webinars with Field Safety Section (FSS) and Staff Welfare Section (SWS) colleagues and provided with a tool to test their psychological preparedness for serving in High Risk Duty Stations. Applicants who applied for a position in a High Risk country will receive, after the deadline for applications has expired, a joint invitation from the Staff Welfare Section (SWS) and the Field Safety Section (FSS) to participate in these webinars. During the Webinars, latest updates on security and well-being will be provided, and FSS and SWS will address questions raised by participants. Applicants are highly encouraged to benefit, when applicable, from all measures as they provide most up-to-date security and well-being information helpful to assess staff’s readiness to serve in a High Risk Duty Station. A Staff Welfare Officer will also be available, if and when required, to discuss with interested applicants the results of the psychological preparedness tool as well as readiness for assignment in High Risk Duty Stations.

The inclement of the position will be directly supervised by the Senior Admin/Finance Officer.

In additional  to the existing desirable skills which are in the current Operational context for the post of Admin Officer, the incumbent of the position should demonstrate:

i) Commensurate skills in MSRP for coaching  other staff in the section on requisitions, voucher preparations, voucher approvals  as well as generating  monthly or annual or ad hoc reports  from MSRP for tactical and management decisions.
ii) Proficient skills in FOCUS for Administrative  budgeting  at planning level as well as revisions as deemed necessary;
iii) Must have finance background with deep knowledge of IPSAS, treasury management and financial reporting ;
iv) Conversant with procurement rules and regulations, and would participate in Local Contracts Committee. Since 2013, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I) has received successive waves of displaced people resulting in a 30 per cent increase of the region's population. The KR-I now hosts more than one million displaced persons, including close to 240,000 Syrian refugees and up to 800,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). In line with its mandate, UNHCR in the KR-I provides support and assistance to vulnerable displaced persons through its offices in Dohuk, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah Governorates.

The situation in the region worsened after 2014, when large portions of territory in Iraq fell under dispute. Ongoing operations, continuous massive waves of displacement, and a severe economic crisis in Iraq, have strained both the central government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The capacity of the KRG to maintain effective services and respond to the needs of displaced populations has been particularly impacted. With active armed conflict subsiding in several areas of the country, it is expected that security will improve and IDP returns will accelerate in 2018. However, the effects of the economic crisis in KR-I will continue to be felt as will asymmetrical attacks impeding security in newly liberated and other areas close to the region. The lack of essential services, destruction of property, lack of income opportunities, and psychological trauma, will remain an obstacle for IDPs wanting to return to their areas of origin. Displaced communities will be increasingly vulnerable in light of scarce economic and employment opportunities, and protracted displacement will continue depleting families¿ resources.

Moreover, the Government of KR-I continues to host Syrian refugees who share resources and services with the hosting communities. Close to 97 per cent of the total refugee population in Iraq lives in KR-I. The length of the crisis in their country of origin and the economic situation in KR-I has further reduced livelihood opportunities for Syrian refugees who have limited job opportunities and continually struggle with the depletion of their savings. - Erbil is Category D Duty Station.
- Staff members assigned to Erbil are residing in the individual residential apartments inside the security cleared hotel complex
- Basic food and other commodities are widely available in the local shops and markets. Banking facilities are rather underdeveloped; therefore cash is the main means of settlement of various bills.
- Both local currency (Iraqi Dinar) and USD are equally accepted for any payments.  No specific dress-code applies and casual European style clothes are worn.
- Eight weeks R&R cycle applies for staff assigned in Erbil.
- Several international airlines operate daily flights from Erbil International Airport to number of large international airports in Europe as well as Middle East.
- Holders of UNLP must obtain an Iraq visa to enter Iraq territory. - Security Clearance for travel to Iraq and within Iraq is covered under TRIP, all staff are required to submit their security clearance process for travel to or within through TRIP  a) security clearance should be submitted through TRIP (please visit http://undss.org);
- The SSAFE (Safety and Security Approaches in a Field Environment) course must be undertaken by all international staff members to allow them to travel outside of Erbil the country. If a staff has conducted a SSAFE (Safety and Security Approaches in a Field Environment) course within the last three years there is no need for attendance; he/she only require attending the FSCOs briefing on arrival. 
- Subject to the advice received from the security unit, some movement of UN international staff within Kurdistan Region of Iraq may be undertaken in the convoy of two UN vehicles.
- Travel to border areas as well as disputed areas whereas newly displaced persons are concentrated is allowed in a convoy of two armored vehicles only. Arabic is desirable.

Please note that the closing date for vancancies in the Addendum 2 is Sunday 16 December 2018 (midnight Geneva time)