Finance Specialist (Performance Management and Compliance)

UNOPS

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations. With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it. A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (SEAMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. SEAMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across  North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia - 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines.  SEAMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: SEMCO Thailand, SEAMCO Indonesia,  SEAMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, SEAMCO Papua New Guinea, SEAMCO China, SEAMCO Vietnam, SEAMCO Lao PDR, SEAMCO Philippines and SEAMCO Cambodia.

In 2022, the UNOPS SEAMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 95.7 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.  

The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself. 

Operational Context

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Support Services, the Finance Specialist (Performance and Compliance) acts as an advisor to the Head of Support Services and Senior Management on all aspects of financial performance, compliance and oversight. 

The incumbent leads a team of personnel primarily located in Thailand and manages the day-to-day functions of the Performance and Compliance Management business stream. He/she works closely with colleagues within SEAMCO, the UNOPS Asia Regional Office, other UNOPS entities sharing the office with SEAMCO in Thailand, the UNOPS Internal Audit and Investigations Group (IAIG), and relevant Practice Groups at HQ. The Specialist 

The Specialist supports the Head of Support Services in coordinating various UN initiatives relevant to operations such as the Business Operations Strategy (BOS) and Operations management Team (OMT).

Summary of Key Functions  

1. Compliance and oversight

2. Business planning, performance management and reporting

3. UN operations initiatives  

4. Team management 

5. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

Duties and Responsibilities 

Under the general guidance and supervision of the Procurement Senior Manager, the incumbent responsibilities include the following: 

• Lead the preparation and implementation of annual work plans of the Performance and Compliance business stream to ensure work priorities and objectives are in line with management goals and unit ambitions. 

• Develop models to detect unusual activity and report irregularities to the supervisor; provide clear recommendations to address the irregularities and avoid recurrence. 

• Review processes, templates and procedures to ensure that they are relevant and fit for purpose

• Assess the compliance of the Support Services Unit’s (SSU) operations to internal procedures, controls mechanisms, UNOPS policies and procedures, donors requirements, and Government regulations, and ensure supporting documentation is exhaustive and consistent.

• Document, evaluate and test systems and controls to determine their adequacy and effectiveness toward (i) compliance with rules and regulations, (ii) accomplishment of management’s objectives, (iii) reliability and integrity of information, (iv) efficient use of resources, and (v) safeguarding of assets.

• Monitor risks related to the achievement of SEAMCO financial and non-financial objectives under the SSU’s purview and ensure the alignment of the risk management framework with the internal control measures. 

• Mitigate the risk of misuse of donor funds and ensure that an effective internal control mechanism is in place to prevent and detect fraud. 

• Conduct special management reviews and assist in the coordination of the implementation of the internal/external audit recommendation, updating the audit tracking tool.

• Ensure accurate and timely preparation and submission of periodic reports on issues and any material weaknesses identified during the review period.

• Provide regular briefings to the HoSS and Senior Management regarding operational matters and general systems controls.

• Contribute to the strategic planning and annual business planning processes by conducting various required analyses, generating reports and ensuring available of required data and information for management decision making

• Contribute to the formulation of annual Administrative budgets  (Management Expense, Locally Managed Direct Cost (LMDC) and Cost Recovery projects), ensuring accurate and reliable historical and forecasting data and information are available to the supervisor and Senior Management for decision making 

• Systematically monitor the performance and utilization of Administrative budgets, ensuring expenditures are aligned with budgets and that only eligible expenditures are incurred under the Admin budgets; Report to the supervisor any irregularities observed.

• Contribute to the streamlining of systems and processes related to cost recovery, budgeting for and management of LMDC

• Elaborate standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure systematic and consistent budgeting of LMDC for client projects

• Support the preparation of client project budgets 

• Ensure timely compilation and submission of periodic and ad-hoc reports to the supervisor on the SSU’s performance against its key performance indicators (KPIs) or service delivery lead times

• Coordinate the periodic (quarterly) review of the SSU’s performance against annual performance ambitions and objectives 

• Support the HoSS in coordinating the implementation of the UN Business Operations Strategies (BOSs) for the countries under SEAMCO 

• Support the HoSS in compiling relevant data and information for matters related to implementation of the BOSs and contribute to preparation of reports and submissions

• When delegated, participate in UN OMTs, representing the HoSS

• Establish and maintain a tracking system to systematically record all actions agreed in all OMTs in the countries under SEAMCO ensuring UNOPS take agreed actions in a timely manner 

• Lead and manage the Performance and Compliance Management business stream 

• Facilitate the engagement and provision of high quality results and services of the team supervised through effective recruitment, work planning, performance management, coaching, and promotion of learning and development.

• Provide oversight, ensuring compliance by team members with existing policies and best practices.

• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for personnel on performance and compliance related topics.

• Lead, approve and conduct initiatives on capacity development and knowledge building for Compliance and Finance personnel, including network development, plans, learning plans and activities, Finance practice information and best practice benchmarking.

• Oversee team’s contributions to Finance and Compliance knowledge networks and communities of practice including collaborative synthesis of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in human resources management.

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

Impact of Results 

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Performance and Compliance Specialist directly impacts on the ability of UNOPS to systematically and adequately fulfill its fiduciary responsibilities to its clients and It enhances the organization’s financial and programme performance, demonstrating UNOPS’ effective stewardship of donor and partner funds. It helps the Support Services team to have reliable reports related to the performance of the Unit and enables UNOPS to effectively participate in UN system wide initiatives related to the area of operations management.

Education: 

• Advanced Degree or equivalent in Finance, Accounting, Business Management, Business Administration or related fields is required. 

• For internal candidates, a first-level university degree, in combination with two (2) additional years on top of the minimum required, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• Possession of a recognized qualification in auditing is a distinct advantage 

Experience: 

• Minimum of five (5) years of professional-level experience in accounting and/or finance in a reputable organization is required

• A minimum of two (2) years experience in compliance/auditing function is required

• Experience in the international context (working in an international organization, working as an international personnel, etc) is required

• Experience supervising other personnel is required

• Experience in the field of accounting/finance in the UN common system is an added advantage

• Knowledge of UNOPS financial rules and regulations; working knowledge of ERP, experience with Google Suite application, and financial management, using electronic systems, environment and are desired.

Language Requirements:

• Full working knowledge of English is required.

[Instructions: Please delete this paragraph and insert relevant information below:

1. Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)
2. Contract level: IICA 2
3. Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.