Assc Admin/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

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.

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.

 

Please note that the closing date for vacancies in the Addendum 4 is Thursday 28 February 2019 (midnight Geneva time)