Finance Specialist (Information Technology)

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.

The New York Service Cluster (NYSC) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.

Based in New York, the UNOPS Sustainable Development Cluster supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. For example, within the United Nations Development Programme, the Cluster works with the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support and the Office of South-South Cooperation.

The cluster also supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations in the delivery of project management and implementation services.

DOS has implemented a range of systems to address the principal requirements of peacekeeping operations and to support and enhance the process DOS undertakes.
UNOPS has been requested to assist in the implementation of this activity.

Under the overall administrative supervision of UNOPS Senior Programme Manager or designated person, the incumbent reports to the Senior Information Systems Officer within the Office of the Chief, SGITT and by reference to the United Nations Financial Rules and Regulations, the Finance Specialist (Information Technology) will be assigned responsibilities within the ITIL (Infrastructure Technology Information Library) IT Financial Management process in relation the Service Strategy phase of the ITIL Lifecycle. The IT Financial Management responsibilities will entail: IT Budgeting, IT Accounting (Activity Based Costing) and IT Accounting. The incumbent, in accordance with the ITIL Framework and in compliance the ISO 20000, will ensure that the ITIL IT Financial Management process remains fully integrated with the other ITIL processes for the overall IT Service Management Framework to operate in the effective and efficient manner in the provision of valued services to Clients. 

The incumbent of this position will be a staff member of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

The role of the Finance Specialist (Information Technology) will be primarily focused on the cost recovery framework and portfolio of services, and will in this context be responsible for the following duties:
1. Budget Management 

2. Advisory Services 

3. Reporting and Performance Management

4. Audits

1. Budget Management: 

• Manage the budget for CIT services on daily, monthly and annual basis in accordance to overall program priorities;

• Gather IT costs and IT OPEX/CAPEX budget data;

• Assist in the development of IT cost models for IT activities and service items;

2. Advisory Services:

• Assist in the preparation and in the development of IT Business Cases and Cost Benefit Analysis for IT projects;

• Provide recommendations and corrective actions to balance incomes on cost recovery basis and expenditure in line with the budget;

• Assist with IT audits;

• Analyze and break down IT infrastructures into cost components and categories;

• Provide close support to Service Level, Availability, Capacity and IT Service Continuity management processes during budgeting and IT investment planning;

3. Reporting and Performance Management:

• Report on proposed expenditure items within ICT services provided to all customers;

• Capture all costs related to ICT services;

• Provide regular statement for accounts and reports that support CIT management decisions;

• Conduct ad-hoc performance and IT Financial studies on request from SGITT;

• Assist in the development of IT account plans and investments cases when needed by SGITT;

• Report regularly on budget allocation and conformance to SGITT management;

• Assist in the production of IT financial plans in line with business planning cycles, identifying financial needs early enough to accommodate procurements and approval lead times;

• Participate in Change Control meetings to assess and authorize changes from an IT Financial perspective

4. Audits:

• Conduct periodic internal audits of IT financial performance;

• Assist with external audits of IT financial performance when requested by other   corporate organizations;

• Ensure IT charges and billings are accurate and truly reflect the services delivered;

5. Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of  services above. 

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Finance, Economics or related discipline.

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with additional two years of experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

Required:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant, international experience in finance, budgeting or costing in an intergovernmental organization such as the UN is required.

Desirable: 

• Knowledge and working experience with UN rules and regulations is desirable.

• Knowledge of the UN Umoja ERP is desirable.

• Ability to lead, build and sustain effective work relationship with subordinates and peers to achieve common goal is desirable.

• Understanding of UN programmes, policies, and coordination mechanisms is desirable.

• Ability to effectively manage and work in a multicultural environment is desirable.

• Strong analytical and planning skills, ability to build a positive and strong team spirit with staff is desirable.

Language:

• Excellent knowledge of English (speak, write and read) is required.

• Knowledge of another UN language considered to be a benefit

Contract type: Fixed-term Contract level: P3
Contract duration: 'One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability'


For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

• 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
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• 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.

Background Information - Sustainable Development Cluster 

Based in New York, the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations.

The SDC’s services include grants management, development and special initiatives support, and technology support to the UN and UN agencies.

The SDC is part of the New York Service Cluster that supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.