Finance Assistant

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Regional Office for the Andean Region and the Southern Cone (ROCOL), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Bogotá, Colombia. The Finance Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Associate Finance Officer, ROCOL, and the overall guidance of the Operations Officer, ROCOL. Responsibilities• Update banking details of payees in Umoja. • Act as an approving officer and approve disbursement according to UN Financial Rules and Regulations, process travel claims and other related entitlements. • Review, approve and settle travel made by the Organization's personnel. • Maintain and update databases and matrices for internal control of processes carried out by the unit and generate reports for follow-up on performance indicators. • Follow upon open commitments and support project assistants with complex commitments for closure. • Recommend improvements in the different processes of the unit that may benefit the programs and projects of the Organization. • Act as backup to the Finance and Budget Assistant for review, analysis and preparation of the general budget of the office. • Submit and send monthly reports required by Headquarters in a timely manner. • Assist with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. • Assist with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. • Perform and carry our other tasks and duties as assigned. Competencies• Professionalism: Knowledge of the Organization’s financial rules and regulations as well as accounting policies and practices. Ability to maintain accurate records, interpret and analyze a wide variety of data. Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies and other problems. Has ability to perform analysis, modelling, and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. Shows pride in work and in achievement; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation sand full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. • Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost, and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight, and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. EducationFive (5) years of experience in accounting, finance or related area is required. The minimum number of years of relevant experience is reduced to three for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS World, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and databases packages is required. Working experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is required. Experience working with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations or a similar international organization is desirable. Experience with UMOJA/SAP is desirable. Experience in working in a fast-paced environment is desirable. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceFive (5) years of experience in accounting, finance or related area is required. The minimum number of years of relevant experience is reduced to three for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS World, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and databases packages is required. Working experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is required. Experience working with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations or a similar international organization is desirable. Experience with UMOJA/SAP is desirable. Experience in working in a fast-paced environment is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in Spanish and English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeThis position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.