Finance Officer

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential LocationNon Family with Residential Location

Addis Ababa,Eth Fed Dem Rep

PR3

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

2023-01-27-08:00

February 16, 2023Finance Officer Organizational Setting and Work Relationships In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Regional Controller or Senior Finance Officer and in functional coordination with DFAM¿s Accounts and Financial Service (AFS). In the Country or Multi-Country Offices, the incumbent may be supervised by a Senior Finance Officer, Assistant Representative (Admin), Head of Sub-Office, or other senior positions as delegated by the Representative. The incumbent is responsible for co-ordinating, guiding, monitoring, advising on, and supporting the financial operations in the area of responsibility (AoR). With the objective to safeguard and optimize the utilization of UNHCR¿s monetary and physical resources, the incumbent contributes to the establishment of efficient and reliable mechanisms and processes to ensure compliance with UN financial regulations and UNHCR¿s rules, policies and procedures including, and not limited to, accounts payable and treasury processes, accounting, and implementation of internal control mechanisms, including support to oversight and audit functions. The incumbent also identifies and manages risks under their responsibility in close coordination with the Risk Management and Compliance Advisor. In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent supports the work of the Regional Controller with authority to discuss problems and seek common ground on which to recommend solutions based on predetermined guidelines provided by higher authority. The incumbent may directly supervise professional and general service staff. All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity. Duties - Oversee and guide integrated financial management and reporting for the area of responsibility (AoR). - Assess, review, and ensure application of finance-related policies, instructions, procedures, etc. - Provide advice to management regarding the application of financial policies and procedures and, when necessary, coordinate with the Regional Controller or Office of the Controller, as applicable, regarding the interpretation of such policies and procedures. - Ensure accounting records are correct and reliable, including¿and not limited to¿timely bank reconciliations, maintenance of open items, timely processing of travel financial transactions, clearance of residual requisitions and purchase order balance. - In close coordination with the AFS, support the preparation and review of donor financial reports, and endorse such reports before submission to donors. - Ensure monthly and yearly closing as well as any other periodic accounting-related processes are executed in a timely and accurate manner. - Ensure the maintenance and on-going validity of the Delegation of Authority Plan (DOAP). - Ensure that payments made are timely and accurately, and all month-end and year-end cut-off processes are implemented in line with relevant guidance. - Supervise the preparation of financial reports, monitoring and supervising expenditures with respect to approved budgets and work plans. - Ensure that local bank account administration and associated cash management functions are performed in adherence to financial guidelines - Perform financial management and control related to Cash-Based Interventions in adherence to financial guidelines. - Review and certify vouchers, including ABOD and project disbursements; - Perform project control functions for both directly and indirectly implemented activities, in the absence of a dedicated project control position - Coordinate, review and endorse responses to audit queries from internal and external audits and ensure the implementation of accounting audit recommendations. - Perform other relevant duties as required. Regional financial services applicable to positions in the Regional Bureau only - In coordination with relevant services in HQ, and to improve cost-effectiveness and process efficiency for operations, implement and manage regional finance-related services such as: vendor and other related master data management and maintenance, invoice posting, travel claim processing, payments, bank reconciliations, accounting housekeeping and period cut-off activities, donor financial reporting, etc. - Make proposals for the continuous improvement of financial monitoring and control mechanisms, including the streamlining of financial systems and procedures. - In coordination with DFAM¿s Change Management and Field Support Section and the Global Learning and Development Centre, identify and provide training on accounting matters, and recommend or develop training modules as necessary, aiming at the development of financial management skills. - In close liaison with DFAM¿s System Administration Section and other divisions as necessary, provide and plan activities for rollout of new processes or systems; assist the Regional Controller in monitoring the implementing internal control mechanisms and compliance with UNHCR's financial policies and procedures in the region. Minimum Qualifications Years of Experience / Degree Level For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree Field(s) of Education Accounting; Finance; Public or Business Administration; Economics; or other relevant field. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential) Certificates and/or Licenses Professional accounting, auditing or financial management designation (CPA/ACCA/CIA/CMA or equivalent) (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Work experience in the field of accounting/finance, project management, business analysis, quality assurance and/or risk management. Excellent knowledge of, and experience in working with, international accounting and auditing standards, with a minimum of two years of practical experience in the audit process and/or in financial statements preparation. Working experience with accrual accounting (such as IPSAS or IFRS). Excellent understanding and/or experience of financial modules a major Enterprise Resource Planning system (such as PeopleSoft, SAP or Oracle). Good understanding of project and resource management. Excellent computer skills, in particular in MS Office applications, especially MS-excel. Excellent communication and negotiation skills. Experience of managing people in multinational/multicultural environments. Desirable Good knowledge of UNHCR systems (such as Focus and MSRP). Excellent knowledge of United Nations financial rules and procedures. Functional Skills FI-General Financial Management FI-Financial auditing FI-International Auditing Standards FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc) FI-Financial Accounting - Modified cash-based accounting as per international standards (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential) Language Requirements For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English. For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language. For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English. All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power. As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise. This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. 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.

The ideal candidate should have a solid understanding of UNHCR Finances rules and regulation to provide financial guidance and support regarding the management of ABOD budget, management of petit cash, management of guesthouses and all assets that belong to the administration.
The incumbent of the position requires strong technical capacity and mature experience in managing complex operations.
S/He is expected to have excellent negotiations skills to facilitate effective transactions with banks and interaction with staff members, senior management, suppliers, and local authorities. Additionally, s/he should have good coordination and managerial skills to lead teams in a complex operational environment. Demonstrated knowledge of preparing and analyzing payment vouchers is an asset. S/He should be client oriented and should possess analytical skills and have Knowledge of COMPASS and the Resource Allocation Framework. Due to the nature of the work, the candidate should possess prior experience in deep field, particularly in the Sahel operations is key.

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French

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations: To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position: The Finance Officer based in Abeche reports directly to the Head of Sub Office and is responsible for the coordination of all activities linked to Administration and Finances including HR related matter in the whole Sub Office.  The Sub Office in Abeche covers 5 Field Offices and manages 8 guesthouses. She/he will be expected to oversee Admin/Finances/HR activities for the Sub Office in addition to remotely supporting the field offices. The incumbent should have a solid understanding of UNHCR Finances rules and regulation to provide financial guidance and support regarding the management of ABOD budget, management of petit cash, management of guesthouses and all assets that belong to the administration. The incumbent of the position requires strong technical capacity and mature experience in managing complex operations. S/he should be resilient and able to work and collaborate closely with financial institutions like banks and other stakeholders such as the UN agencies, suppliers, different managers, and staff as well as local authorities. S/He is expected to have excellent negotiations skills to facilitate effective interaction with banks, staff members, senior management, suppliers, and local authorities. Additionally, the incumbent is expected to have good coordination and managerial skills to lead teams in a complex operational environment. The incumbent is expected to have knowledge of preparing and analyzing payment vouchers. S/He should be client oriented and should possess analytical skills and have Knowledge of COMPASS and the Resource Allocation Framework. Due to the nature of the work, the incumbent is expected to have experience in capacity development of team members, a pro-active mature attitude to address complex and dynamic operational context arising from operational emergencies, as well as the ability to deliver under stressful environments. Prior experience in deep field, particularly in the Sahel operations is key to this position. Due to the gender unbalance ratio in the Chad operation, applications of female candidates are desirable.  

Living and Working Conditions: Most of international as well as national staff are living in guesthouses in eastern Chad.  However, private accommodations can be found in Abeche and UNHCR Staff can choose their residence while respecting Residential Security Measures. The climate is hot and semi-arid, with a rainy season from June to September. Electricity supply can be unstable and international staff members are provided generators by the office. Water supplies work in most areas but a personal drinkable water supply is required, even food. Most relevant supplies can be found on local markets though choice is limited compared to other hubs and prices are very high as most goods are imported. Banking facilities are available through local banks, such as Ecobank and BCC and ATMs are also operational. All communications within the office and with external partners such as Government and humanitarian agencies are conducted in French. Fluent French (both written and spoken) is essential for this position. However, working knowledge of English, especially written, is also required as more and more reports, internal as well as external, are requested in English. A French military base is located adjacent to Abeche airport. There are regular flights from N'djamena to Abeche which makes it accessible for staff taking R&R. The RR cycle in Abeche is 8 weeks as well as in other duty stations in Chad except Bagasola which is 6 weeks.

 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

AD-Monitor administrative and staff budget, BU-Preparation of financial reports, HR-Strategic Workforce Planning

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

Administration, Finance

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Managing resource, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Add.2 to Bi-annual Compendium 2022 - Part B

This position requires Functional Clearance