FINANCE ASSISTANT (Internal only)

Org. Setting and ReportingThe position is located in the Office of Financial Resourcing and Performance Unit in the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). The Finance Assistant performs the duties under the direct and overall supervision of the Chief Finance Officer. Within delegated authority, the Finance Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: ResponsibilitiesFinance: o Ensure year-end adjustments have duly been completed, and bank reconciliations have been up to date with no or minimal open items. o Process financial transactions in ERP systems (e.g., Umoja), including payments, obligations, and adjustments. o Review and verify financial data for accuracy and completeness. o Maintain financial records and reconcile accounts regularly. o Handle receipt and disbursement of cash, maintain petty cash, and ensure accurate recording of all transactions in compliance with financial rules. o Verify supporting documents, maintaining cash records, reconciling balances, and preparing regular cash reports for review and audit purposes. o Deposit collections, collect authorized funds from banks, safeguard cash, and follow security protocols for handling and transporting cash. o Assists in the maintenance of fixed asset register, as required. o Review and prepare payments to staff and vendors for goods and services, including checking payments for accuracy and correcting any discrepancies. o Review the computation of staff members regarding their entitlements, including travel claims, daily subsistence allowance, mission subsistence allowance, and any other allowances, and prepare vouchers. Budget: o Assist in the preparation and review of budget proposals and cost plans. o Consolidate data for budget submissions and prepare supporting documentation o Prepare periodic financial reports, including expenditure statements and budget performance reports. o Analyze variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. o Process the mission's redeployment of fund requests in accordance with the established procedures. o Monitor budget implementation/expenditures with approved budget to ensure they remain within authorized levels; analyse discrepancies for supervisor's attention/ and or corrective actions. o Advise and guide the review of current budget period commitments to ensure their validity to carry forward and cancel outstanding commitments that are not valid. Others: o Provide data and analysis for audits and internal reviews. o Ensure adherence to UN Financial Regulations and Rules. o Respond to queries on financial and budgetary matters from internal and external stakeholders. o Support capacity-building initiatives for staff on financial procedures. o Maintain up-to-date files and documentation for audit and reference purposes. o Draft or prepare correspondence to respond to enquiries in respect to relevant financial and budget matters. o Assist with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and report for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. o Perform other related duties as required. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Thorough knowledge in the use and application of the Organization’s financial rules as well as accounting policies and practices. Knowledge, skills and ability to extract, interpret, analyse and format data across the full range of finance, accounting and budget functions, including database management, claims and treasury operations. Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies and operational problems. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. 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. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology. EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent is required. Job - Specific QualificationA technical or vocational certificate in accounting, finance, budget or related field is required. Experience in the use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, such as Umoja/SAP is required. Working experience of MS-Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint) is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable. Work ExperienceA minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience within the United Nations system or in the private sector at the national or international level in accounting, finance, or budgeting is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to 8 years for candidates who possess a First-level university degree or higher. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).