Finance Consultant

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

H (no hardship)

FamilyCONS International

2022-12-15-08:00December 4, 2022Terms of Reference
Consultancy – Finance Consultant
DFAM/GFS
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering a full-time consultancy position within the Global Finance Service (GFS) in the Division of Financial and Administrative Management (DFAM).

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a global United Nations organization whose mandate is to protect and assist refugees and other persons of its concern worldwide and to seek durable solutions to their plight; UNHCR is present in 134 countries with offices in 540 locations.

Title: Finance Consultant
Duty Station: Home based or Geneva, Switzerland
Duration: 9 months
Contract Type: Consultancy contract

Start date: 15 December 2022

Organizational context

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) provides international protection under the auspices of the United Nations, to refugees and other persons of concern, including stateless and internally displaced persons. UNHCR follows policy directives from the General Assembly or the Economic and Social Council.

UNHCR’s finances are regulated by the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules and in by its Financial Rules. In terms of programme planning and budgeting, the organization applies the Results Based Management method, and its accounts are recorded in line with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards. The Organization has adopted a global management accountability framework and a decentralised operating model to achieve its global strategic goals.

In this context, the Global Finance Service (GFS) of the Division of Financial and Administrative Management (DFAM) oversees core corporate controlling, financial reporting, financial services, financial policy, and the financial internal control framework of UNHCR. GFS reports to the Controller and is overseen directly by the Deputy Controller with the following sections located in Geneva and Budapest: the Accounts and Financial Section; the System Administration Section; the Policy and Audit Coordination Section; and the Secretariat of the Headquarters Committee on Contracts. GFS actively contributes to the implementation of UNHCR’s new ERP system and is currently working on several workstreams in the area of financial data migration, process revision and simplification as well as case management to align the broader financial policy and processes framework of UNHCR to the ongoing transformation.


The position

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Controller, the Finance Consultant will support the coordination and implementation of various workstreams under the purview of GFS to improve efficiency and effectiveness of financial administration and controls at UNHCR, including workstreams linked to GFS’s role in the Cloud ERP implementation.The Finance Consultant must possess demonstrated experience and qualifications in financial management, accounting, corporate controlling, and in the implementation of enhanced financial data analytic systems and structures.

Duties and responsibilities

• Support the coordination of workstreams implemented by GFS in close collaboration with the respective GFS sections and units based in Geneva and Budapest, while facilitating coherence and synergy of the various initiatives.
• Monitor progress and performance of the workstreams. Maintain and monitor GFS implementation plans and provide regular updates and progress reports.
• Assess implementation risks and issues, highlight those for management action and propose solutions where applicable.
• Research and analyse related topics as assigned.
• Analyse, test and contribute to the design of new tools, revised processes and updated policies with a view to consistency, simplification and efficiency of controls.
• Contribute to mapping and formulating business requirements.
• Contribute to change and knowledge management documentation.
• Support the development and strengthening of training materials and tools relevant to accounting and financial topics as assigned.
• Prepare various other reports and financial analysis as relevant during the assignment.
• Organize, participate and facilitate team meetings.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Deliverables
Support the implementation of the GFS workstreams, prepare related documentation and reports and actively contribute to business process mapping and the development of knowledge management materials.

Delivery and periodicity: Regular updates, including on actions required from co-workers and information on progress under the various workstreams as well as pending items that need resolution. Monthly short written summaries of work done accompanying submitted with the invoice.

Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required
• Six years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree.
• A minimum of 6 years relevant professional experience involving Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, Economics or another relevant field, preferably in an international environment.
• Sound knowledge of accounting systems, IPSAS, IFRS or generally accepted accounting principles, business risk controls, and audit/review procedures.
• Knowledge of UN accounting systems, software and procedures is a distinct advantage.
• Proven data collection, analytical and communication skills.
• Proven record in producing simple, clear, and high-quality strategic documents.
• Advanced skills in using data analytics tools and Microsoft Office Applications.
• Experience working in humanitarian or global development settings, and/or for the UN or other humanitarian/development agencies preferred.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

Location
The successful candidate will work from home or Geneva, Switzerland

Conditions
The consultancy is for six to nine months, and the foreseen start date is 15 December 2022. It is a full-time role with working hours starting from 9.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday (40 hours per week).

Supervisor of the Individual Consultant: Deputy Controller, Global Finance Service

 

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

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Desired Languages

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Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

BA: Accounting (Required), BA: Business Administration (Required), BA: Economics (Required), BA: Finance (Required), BA: Public Administration (Required)

Certifications

Accounting - Other, Auditing - Other, Financial Management - Other

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance