Finance Specialist

The Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC) was established in 2018 for efficient delivery of grants and funds management, and the provision of quality pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.  The ARHC aims to significantly impact the targets of UN Sustainable Development Goal #3 on good health and well being by expanding the population benefitting from UNOPS-managed health-related engagements across the Asia Region. The ARHC portfolio manages the Principal Recipient (PR) Programme of the Global Fund in Asia.

The Global Fund, which has been providing financial support to the Greater Mekong Sub-Region (GMSR)  for malaria programs since 2003, has selected UNOPS as a PR, responsible for delivering the targets set out in the grant agreements, in collaboration with selected Sub-Recipients (SRs) from the National Programmes, international and local non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies.  UNOPS is the Principal Recipient managing the RAI2E grant (2018-2020) established by Global Fund in 2018, providing USD242million for malaria elmination activities in the Greater Mekong Subregion, plus USD154million for TB and HIV activities in Myanmar (2018-2020).

1. Implementation of operational strategies and procedures:

• Ensure that all UNOPS standard corporate requirements are complied with in all engagements from its inception and planning phase throughout implementation and closure;
• Implement changes in UNOPS operational strategies and systems;
• Lead the design of the architecture of programme set up in oU to enable quality reporting.

2. Budget preparation and oversight:

• Provide support in budget preparation and amendments and provide active contribution toward re-program budgeting process from beginning to donor submission stage and lead review of donor budgets and reprogramming before submission;
• Ensure budgets are appropriately set-up and managed in oneUNOPS ERP system;
• Collaborate in the improvement of the UNOPS budget formulation system;
• Provide direct support and advice for financial proposal to be compliant with UNOPS pricing and costing policies;

Provide support to the review of actual expenditures and analysis of budget utilization reports. 3. Financial Reporting

• Lead the review for accuracy of all financial reports generated from oneUNOPS;
• Ensure cash and expenditure report reconciliation of grants on a bi-annual basis;
• Supervise timely and proper financial and grant closure process of completed projects;
• Provide support to respond to internal and external audit queries and observations related to financial report;
• Work in close collaboration with UNOPS HQ to ensure the effectiveness of project implementation and closure policies and tools;
• Ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements and adequate cash flow in the system to support successful implementation.

4. Internal Collaboration and Capacity Building

• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for personnel and partners on finance related topics;
• Proposing change to facilitate efficient financial management and enhance financial reporting through the system;

• Guide the team’s collection of feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively;

• Liaise with Headquarters, the Asia Regional Office and UNOPS Myanmar/Cambodia/Laos on operational matters to better understand their needs, provide guidance, and implement solutions.

5. Internal knowledge management

• Establish and regularly review internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Programme Support Unit and conduct regular monitoring of proper implementation of SOPs;
• Identifies 'gaps' in network performance amongst the team and to fill the gaps.

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.

Education

A Master’s degree in accounting, financial management, treasury management and/or other related fields is required. Additional 2 years of similar experience with a Bachelor Degree is considered as equivalent.

Certified Public Accountant or equivalent professional qualifications would be an asset.

Experience

Minimum of five years of professional-level experience in accounting budgeting 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 could be an asset; 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 and Thai language is essential.

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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.

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.