Finance Assistant, Nairobi

• Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
• Country: Kenya
• City: Nairobi
• Office: UNOPS East Africa Hub Nairobi
• Follow @UNjobs

UNOPS Building | 00621 Nairobi | Kenya | Tel: +254 207 621 120

Closing date: Tuesday, 9 August 2016

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Vacancy code: VA/2016/B5303/10634
Position title: Finance Assistant
Department/office: AFR, KEOH, Kenya
Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya
Contract type: Local ICA Support
Contract level: LICA-4
Duration: 1 year Renewable subject to performance and availability of funds
Application period: 03-Aug-2016 to 10-Aug-2016
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Background Information - 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.
East Africa Hub
Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the East Africa Hub manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The East Africa sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in South Sudan and a portfolio of engagements managed by the Kenya based East Africa Hub office. This includes primarily transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies UN-Habitat and UNEP, and multiple 'operational' projects in Somalia, Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya and several island states.
Functional Responsibilities
Under the guidance and supervision of the Finance Manager, the Finance Assistant in the East Africa Regional Hub provides a variety of specialized finance, accounting, and clerical functions related to project accounting and financial reporting. The Finance Assistant ensures high quality, accuracy and consistency of work and promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS financial rules and regulations.
The Finance Assistant works in close collaboration with the UNOPS operations, program and projects' staff for resolving finance-related issues and information exchange.
Summary of Key Functions

• Implementation of operational strategies
• Treasury functions
• Accounting, administrative and clerical support
• Financial Reporting
• Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

Ensures implementation of operational strategies, focusing on achievement of the following results

• Full compliance with UNOPS rules and regulations of financial processes, financial records and reports and audit follow up; implementation of the effective internal control framework.
• Input to the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management.

Provides support to Treasury, focusing on achievement of the following results

• Review of payment requests for completeness prior to processing to ensure that documentation is complete and all information concerning the payment has been supplied; proper accounting codes used; certification of services rendered/goods delivered is written on the payment document and duly signed by authorized officials; payment to sub-contractors are in compliance with terms and conditions of agreement.
• Review and confirmation of appropriateness of operational transactions processed through the interpretation and determination of applicable policies, regulations, rules
• Review and confirmation of validity of charges by verifying authorized amounts and ensuring availability of budget and funds.
• Frequent contact with the local bank to obtain day-to-day information on rates of exchange, interest rates, changes in procedures and bank regulations, etc.
• Running the pay-cycle and preparation of bank transfer documents.

Provides accounting, administrative and clerical support to the Finance Unit, focusing on achievement of the following results

• Preparation of vouchers and review of supporting documents to ensure completeness, accuracy and correctness of accounts codes charges; entry of transactions in the computerized accounting and finance system.
• Monitoring of financial recorded expenditures and related contributions to ensure timely and accurate accounting information.
• Analysis of reports, investigation and adjustment as required.
• Communication with colleagues/clients on areas requiring verification, corrections, additional information, etc. to improve quality of output and/or account submission and increase knowledge base in the process.
• Monitoring of cash requirements and expenditures.
• Provision of finance system support (UNOPS ERP Financial System, PeopleSoft) to field offices and regional office staff for Project Accounting and Financial Reporting
• Ensure the maintenance of a good filing and archiving system for the purpose of achieving quick reference and up-to-date financial records.

Ensures accurate financial reporting, focusing on achievement of the following results

• Implementation of reporting systems and reports to meet Funding source requirements.
• Reconciliation of expenditures recorded in oneUNOPS.
• Assistance to Project Managers with oneUNOPS reporting and analysis.
• Provision of ad-hoc financial reports as needed including for Year-End closure

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, focusing on achievement of the following results

• Participation in the training for the operations/ projects staff on Finance.
• Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Impact of Result
The key results have an impact on the overall execution of the UNOPS financial services. Accurate data entry and presentation of financial information and a client-oriented approach enhances UNOPS' capability to effectively and efficiently manage financial resources.
Competencies
UNOPS Core Values/Competencies

• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity
• Creativity and innovation
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Planning and Organizing
• Results orientation
• Communications skills
• Teamwork skills
• Client orientation
• Technological awareness

Functional Competencies
Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to perform a variety of standard tasks related to financial resources management, including screening and collecting documentation, financial data processing, filing, provision of information
• Good knowledge of UNOPS financial rules and regulations, accounting
• Ability to interact and communicate within a team and with clients
• Strong IT skills

Leadership and Self-Management

• Ability to adhere to work assignments and meet designated deadlines.
• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure

Skills
Required

• Account Reconciliation
• General Accounting
• Cash Management
• ERP experience
• Financial Reporting

Preferred

• Journal Entries

Education

• Completion of secondary school or equivalent.
• University degree or diploma or certification in related subjects; accounting, business administration or finance is an advantage.

Experience

• At least 4 years of relevant finance experience is required at the national or international level.
• Possession of a university degree will supplement some of the required experience.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Office 2003 and/or newer versions) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Languages

• Fluency in written and oral English and in the language of the duty station required.
• Knowledge of second UN working language desirable.

Contract type, level and duration
Contract type:Local Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: LICA 4
Contract duration: 1 year renewable subject to performance and availability of funds
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Additional Considerations

• 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.
• 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.