Finance Associate - UNFPA Somalia Country Office

UNFPA - Leader in Reproductive Health and Population and Development

Vacancy No: VA/FPA/SOM/02/2011

Post Title: Finance Associate

Type of Contract: Fixed Term

Duration: 1 Year, Renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds

Level: ICS 6 (G-6)

Duty Station: Nairobi

Date of Issue: 29 August 2011

Closing Date: 12 September 2011

Organizational Unit: UNFPA Somalia Country Office

Organizational Context

Under the guidance and overall supervision of the Operations Manager, the Finance Associate ensures the effective functioning of financial operations and systems in support of the programme and office management.

He/she works closely with programme and project staff providing financial monitoring and analysis of projects and advising managers on expenditure trends and implementation rates.

The Finance Associate is also a member of the Country Office management services team managing financial aspects of Country Office operations. He/she may supervise clerical and support staff.

Results-Oriented Functional Statements

• Supports the monitoring of programme financial performance for all core and noncore resources by providing necessary financial information and analysis, including implementation rate against indicators/results. Detects potential over-under expenditure problems and suggests remedial action.
• Develops tools and mechanisms for effective and efficient monitoring of programme and project budgets, coordinates compilation of financial data and provides accurate and up-dated financial information to HQ on a continuous basis.
• Interprets financial policies and procedures particularly relating to NEX and provides guidance and training to staff and project managers. Strives to identify ways in which programme financial needs can be met within existing policies.
• Assists in the management of the Country Office budget by budget formulation, controlling allotments, monitoring expenditures, and preparing revisions according to the needs of the office.
• Ensures the effective financial recording and reporting system, internal control and audit follow-up and processes financial transactions in an accurate and timely way.
• Reviews and monitors charges for common services and cost recovery taking into account maximum cost efficiency and represents UNFPA’s interest in related negotiations and agreements

Functional Competencies

Business acumen: Independently gathers, analyses and interprets data and information from a wide range of sources using appropriate analytical tools and professional standards. Identifies warning signs based on financial analysis, probes for clarification or points of concern and presents findings

Client orientation: Establishes effective relationships with internal and external clients, actively supports the interests of the client and researches potential solutions to client needs Organizes and prioritizes work schedule and addresses client needs and deadlines promptly and
diplomatically

Implementing management systems: Maintains information/databases on system design features and develops system components. Makes recommendations relative to work-processing approaches and procedures which would lead to more efficient systems design.

Corporate Competencies:

Values

Integrity/Commitment to mandate: Acts in accordance with UN/UNFPA values and holds himself/herself accountable for actions taken. Demonstrates personal commitment to UNFPA’s mandate and to the organizational vision.

Knowledge sharing/Continuous learning: Takes responsibility for personal learning and career development and actively seeks opportunities to learn through formal and informal means. Learns from others inside and outside the organization adopting best practices created by others. Actively produces and disseminates new knowledge.

Valuing diversity: Demonstrates an international outlook, appreciates differences in values and learns from cultural diversity. Takes actions appropriate to the religious and cultural context and shows respect, tact and consideration for cultural differences. Observes and inquires to understand the perspectives of others and continually examines his/her own biases and behaviors.

Managing Relationships

Working in teams: Works collaboratively with colleagues inside and outside of UNFPA to allow the achievement of common goals and shared objectives. Actively seeks resolution of disagreements and supports the decisions of the team.

Communicating information and ideas: Delivers oral and written information in a timely, effective and easily understood manner. Participates in meetings and group discussions actively listening and sharing information. Frankly expresses ideas with the intent to resolve issues, considers what others have to say and responds appropriately to criticism.

Conflict and self management: Manages personal reactions by remaining calm, composed and patient even when under stress or during a crisis and avoids engaging in unproductive conflict. Expresses disagreement in constructive ways that focus on the issue not the person. Tolerates conditions of uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to work productively.

Working with people

Empowerment/Developing people/Performance management: Integrates himself/herself into the work unit seeking opportunities to originate action and actively contributing to achieving results with other members of the team. Knows his/her limitations and strength, welcomes constructive criticism and feedback and gives honest and contractive feedback to colleagues and supervisors. Seeks new challenges and assignments and exhibits a desire to learn. Accepts responsibility for personal performance participating in individual work planning and objective setting seeking feedback and acting to continuously improve performance.

Personal Leadership and Effectiveness

Analytical and strategic thinking: Uses appropriate analytical tools and logic to gather, define and analyze information, situations and problems and draws logical conclusions from data. Demonstrates an ability to set clear and appropriate priorities focusing on tasks and activities which have a strategic impact on results. Anticipates and meets information needs of the team and other stakeholders.

Results orientation/Commitment to excellence: Strives to achieve high personal standard of excellence. Takes action that goes beyond responding to the obvious needs of the situation and persists until successful outcomes are achieved.

Appropriate and transparent decision making: Makes timely and appropriate decisions taking into consideration various and complex issues and takes responsibility for the impact of decisions. Inquires to understand the perspectives of others and continually examines his/her
own biases and behaviors

Job Requirements:

Academic Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in finance.

Experience: 5 – 10 years of relevant experience in finance, preferably part of it with an International organization or the United Nations. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel etc), and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, and experience in handling of web-based financial management systems. Knowledge of ATLAS is preferable.

Languages: Fluency in oral and written English

Applications with a current CV and P11 (www.escwa.un.org/main/vacancies/P_11.doc) marked: “VA/FPA/SOM/02/2011 –“Finance Associate” should be addressed to:

Email address: recruit.unfpasom@unfpa.org

Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

UNFPA will only be able to respond to those applications in which there is further interest.

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.’