FINANCE ASSOCIATE (UNWOMEN)

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls, the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. UN Women Ethiopia country office, placing women’s rights at the center of all its efforts, will coordinate the United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action in the country. Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Operations Manager, the Finance Associate provides leadership in execution of financial services in the CO ensuring effective and transparent utilization of financial resources and integrity of financial services. The Finance Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UN Women rules and regulations. The Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the project teams in the Country Programme Office (CPO), Un Women staff at the Un Women Liaison office to the AU and UNECA, UN Women staff in HQ and Sub-regional office, UNDP Finance staff in the country, Government and civil society partners ensuring successful country program and AU/ECA liaison office operations performance and resolving complex finance-related issues and information delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions: • Administration and implementation of operational strategies • Administration of budgets • Accounting and administrative support • CO cash management Duties and responsibilities 1. Ensures administration and implementation of operational strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results: • Full compliance with UN/UN Women rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations; implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system. • CO Finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with office management. • Implementation of cost sharing and trust fund agreements, elaboration of conditions of contributions within the CO resource mobilization efforts. • Elaboration of proposals and implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies in consultations with office management. 2. Ensures administration of budgets focusing on achievement of the following results: • Preparation and modifications of budgets for UN Women projects follow up with HQs on authorized spending limits (ASL) for management projects. • Preparation and monitoring of budgets; regular analysis and reporting on the partner budget approvals and the delivery situation. • Implementation of the control mechanism for development projects through monitoring budgets preparation and modifications, budgetary status versus ASL, follow up with HQs on ASL for development projects, maintenance of the General Ledger. • Sending project budget to KK if authorized by the Senior Management (can be done only on the basis of signed prodocs and project budgets). • Presentation of thoroughly researched information for planning of financial resources of the CO, reports containing analysis of the financial situation. • Timely preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the services provided by, elaboration and implementation of the income tracking system and follow up on cost recovery. 3. Provides accounting and administrative support to the country office and Liaison office to the AU and UNECA focusing on achievement of the following results: • Proper control of the supporting documents for payments, review of financial reports for NEX projects. • Approval of vendors in Atlas (as a senior member of the Finance team). • Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas; payrolls are duly prepared; travel claims, MPOs and other entitlements are duly processed. • Coordination and review of accounts closure • Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers. Timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues. • Maintenance of the Accounts Receivables for UN Women projects and follows up with partners on contributions. • Timely VAT reimbursements, payment of GLOC by the Government. 4. Ensures proper CO cash management functioning focusing on achievement of the following results: • Review of all expenditure requests to ensure that the relevant charts of accounts are indicated and are in line with project budget. • Timely preparation of monthly, quarterly six-monthly and annual financial reports for use by the supervisor, project personnel and for monthly, quarterly, half yearly and annual financial reports. • Support project staff to prepare their budgets (or budget breakdowns) for ATLAS. • Timely preparation of donor financial updates and financial updates on UN Joint Programme budget (UN Women share) • Supervision of the petty cash expenditure • Ensuring request of cash advances are in line with the financial policy and accurate settlement of the cash advance immediately after the event/task for which advance was taken • Reviewing, processing together with the EHARO and settling all other advances • Performing Pay cycle manager role in Atlas. • Timely preparation of monthly cash flow forecast for use by Operations Manager • Alternate as cashier for cash disbursements made on site. 5. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results: • Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on Finance. • Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in Finance. • Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. 6. Ensuring compliance with UN Women/UNDP procurement rules and regulations from finance perspective: • Supporting formulation of procurement plan • Reviewing purchasing for financial appropriateness • Processing procurement payments in strict adherence with procurement guidelines • Accounting for products, services, facilities, contracts, etc, procured • Tracking of all procurements

Competencies

Core Competencies: • Demonstrates commitment to UN Women’s mission, vision and values. • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability Functional Competencies Knowledge Management and Learning • Shares knowledge and experience • Encourages office staff to share knowledge and contribute to UN Women practice areas • 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 broad range of specialized activities related to financial resources management, including formulating budgets, maintaining Accounts Receivables and Accounts Payables, reporting. • Sound knowledge of financial rules and regulations, accounting • Strong IT skills • Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system Leadership and Self-Management • Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexity

Required Skills and Experience

Education: • Secondary Education with specialized training in Accounting or Finance. University Degree or equivalent in Accounting and Finance, Business or Public Administration would be desirable, but it is not a requirement. Experience: • 7 years of progressively responsible finance experience is required at the national or international level. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems. Language requirements: • Fluency in English and national language of the duty station.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.