Only candidates who are not nationals of the country of assignment are eligible to apply to this position
Hardship LevelE (most hardship)
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Residential location (if applicable)
Nairobi (CO), Kenya
GradePR2
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeProfessional
* Staff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff memberโs country of nationality.
In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2023-11-07
Job Posting End DateNovember 28, 2023
Standard Job Description
Associate Finance 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 may support the supervisor with the identification and management of 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 national 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
- Contribute to the assessment of budgetary needs for administrative budgets (ABOD); monitor and control ABOD expenditure.
- Analyse, evaluate and control disbursements/receipts, as well as expenditure variances against approved budgets;
- Review and approve vouchers, including ABOD and project disbursements.
- Propose monthly cash requirements for the Office, and ensure adequate and timely replenishments of funds.
- Contribute to the preparation and processing of monthly accounts.
- Provide financial status reports to supervisors.
- Analyse and evaluate all financial reports produced on a regular basis.
- Maintain effective business relationships with local banks.
- Assist in ensuring compliance with UNHCR and UN Financial Regulations and Rules, policies and procedures.
- Ensure that payments are effectuated by the monthly deadline.
- Ensure that monthly accounts are correct and approved, and ensure timely monthly bank reconciliations, including open items, review and clearance of unwanted requisitions and PO balances.
- Conduct regular checks of petty cash and cash accounts.
- Perform project control functions, in the absence of a dedicated project control position.
- Participate in the physical verification of UNHCR's local property, plant and equipment (PPE) and inventories.
- Verify that all financial transactions are correct and in accordance with UNHCR rules and procedures.
- In the absence of a senior finance position, ensure compliance with applicable financial rules, policies and procedures.
- In the absence of a senior finance position, certify country-level financial expenditure reports submitted to the regional office or Headquarters.
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, assist with the implementation and management of 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, assist the provision and planning of 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.
- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Accounting, Finance, Public or Business Administration, Economics
or other relevant field.
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. Good knowledge of, and experience in working with, international accounting and auditing standards, with a minimum of 1 year of practical experience in the audit process and/or in financial statements preparation. Working experience with accrual accounting (such as IPSAS or IFRS). Experience with financial modules of a major Enterprise Resource Planning system (such as PeopleSoft, SAP or Oracle). Good understanding of project and resource management.
Desirable:
Good knowledge of UNHCR systems (such as Focus and MSRP). Excellent knowledge of United Nations financial rules and procedures.
Functional Skills
FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other)
FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc)
PM-Project Monitoring
DM-Data Collection and Analysis
EL-Monitoring and Evaluation
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.
Desired Candidate Profile The preferred candidate should have the required academic and on job training in Business Administration, Finances, audit; knowledge in Human Resources would be an asset.
S/he should be results oriented, proactive, taking the initiative to handle work assignments and work with very minimal supervision. He should be self-driven, highly motivated, quite innovative and possess good knowledge of new technologies (ERP Cloud, Workday, etcโฆ),
S/he should have experience in leading large teams, and in capacity building/coaching of team members. Considering the challenging work environment, the incumbent is expected to demonstrate flexible behavior, to possess strong analytical and drafting skills, a pro-active mature attitude, and the ability to remain calm under stressful environments.
The incumbent must be fluent in French and able to communicate clearly and effectively in English.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languagesFrench
,
,
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 security context in Bukavu remains dominated by widespread crime deemed high by the United Nations, including cases of home intrusions, armed robberies and kidnappings.
House fires are also recurrent in the city of Bukavu, mainly during the dry season.
The city of Bukavu is currently experiencing mobilizations of political actors, including those of the ruling class and the opposition for the next elections of December 2023. Although still moderate at the current stage, this process is likely to create rallies in the city, especially in public places for speeches and election campaigns and could influence the level of crime and civil unrest. These activities may also from time to time paralyze traffic by vehicles for the United Nations in Bukavu.
There is currently a relative calm in terms of civil unrest and anti-UN sentiment that is dormant in the city of Bukavu. However, in the surrounding areas in Uvira and in the city of Goma, protests have been announced and organized, not directly targeting the United Nations but have indirect impacts on the conduct of United Nations activities. Some members of civil society in the neighboring province of North Kivu criticize civil society activists in Bukavu, whom they describe as accomplices and without action against the United Nations in Bukavu, during the period that these last banned the circulation of UN vehicles in the cities, this behavior is a form of anti-UN sentiment intoxication.
The United Nations Agencies, in particular the UNHCR in Bukavu, have in their mandate the international protection, with the refugee populations of the neighboring countries. Diplomatic and security relations between the DRC and Rwanda continue to deteriorate under criticism from the population and civil society activists. The resumption of the M23 violences in North Kivu sparked protests in Bukavu town in early 2023, although this did not directly affect people under UNHCR mandate in Bukavu town, it remains a concern in terms of protection and security of persons under UNHCR mandate in Bukavu.
The office works in a mixed operational context in which there are several population groups of concern to UNHCR, including: asylum seekers, refugees, internally displaced persons, and spontaneous returnees.
The office organizes activities in the city of Bukavu and in the field in different territories where protection needs are identified.
There are refugees who live in rural areas, in urban areas and others in the camps/sites.
The majority of displaced persons live with local communities (host family or spontaneous site). Repeated displacements are frequent due to the volatility of the security situation and the absence and/or weak presence of law enforcement and security forces to ensure the protection of the civilian population.
The presence of displaced populations leads to demographic pressure on communities that do not have sufficient resources to meet their own needs, and which share already insufficient resources with new arrivals, which exacerbates their vulnerability.
Furthermore, the security conditions and the impassability of the access roads enclave a large part of the province which remains inaccessible to humanitarian actors, which leads to gaps in the assessment of needs and even when assessments are carried out, the path for the response is limited by these constraints.
In addition, access and movements of humanitarian workers are limited due to clashes between the Congolese army and armed groups, and armed groups among themselves. There is a high incidence of human rights violations in the various areas affected by armed conflicts and the displacement of the population.
The incumbent of the position reports directly to the Head of Field Office and provide an admin support to two field office/unit (Baraka and Uvira).
Living and Working Conditions:
Bukavu is the capital city of the South-Kivu province. Situated on the border with Rwanda and occupying a geostrategic position in the eyes of Kinshasa, the city has been marked by a long war and the activities of armed groups active in the province since 1996.
Moreover, since roughly 3 decades, the number of inhabitants has increased significantly due to immigration from rural areas, business opportunities, and spatial planning problems in the surrounding areas of the city where people have no access to water, electricity and roads. According to current estimates, Bukavu has more than one million residents and it is one of the most populated cities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The above-mentioned demographic explosion was not accompanied by the enlargement of the city and therefore resulted to poor and insecure housing and infrastructure, problems related to housing conditions and tenure insecurity in the city.
However, medical facilities are available in Bukavu, but urgent medical conditions are mostly referred to the neibouring city of Goma (North Kivu). Therefore, candidates with conditions requiring regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised. As a general advice, applicants for the post should be psychologically prepared for the aforementioned context. The Office is of the view that, all things being equal, the two-year SAL should be upheld to avoid burnout.
Banking facilities are available; there also is an unlimited access to communication means, such as internet, telephone sim cards etc... The Office is also equipped with PAMA.
Bukavu is currently a non-family duty station with a security level 2.
The security-related threats staff may face in the South Kivu are mainly from armed conflict, crime and civil unrest.
The security situation in the South Kivu is precarious and unpredictable due to the heterogenous nature of its ethnic groups which is impacted by ongoing intercommunity violence in the Medium and High plateaus of Minembwe, Mikenge-Itombiand Bijombo. As the armed conflict situation worsens in these remote areas, so too the impact is directly felt by the populations in the entire area, resulting in tensions and general panic.
Criminality activities include ambushes, abductions, killings and looting house robbery, break-ins, etc. UN personnel are not specifically targeted, but criminals focus attacks on those perceived to have money and valuables.
UN personnel should be cautious of large public gatherings, especially political demonstrations. Sometimes events in other parts of the country spark demonstrations, and even anti-UN protests in Uvira.
They must also be aware of the danger from driving in UVIRA/FIZI to guard against road traffic accidents caused by broken bridges, bad road conditions and fast running rivers without bridges.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsFI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other), FO-Operational activities in hardship duty stations, PG-Resource planning
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Accounting, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Finance, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Public Professions
CertificationsAccounting - Other, Auditing - Other, Financial Management - Other
Work ExperienceAnnual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned IDPs, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees
CompetenciesAccountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium Add. 1 to Bi-annual Compendium 2023 - Part B
Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position requires Functional Clearance