Note: This Position is pending classification.ย
Note: All recommended candidates who are not selected for this position, will be rostered for future similar vacancies.
The Position:
The Finance Associate position is part of the Finance Branch, Division for Management Services, located in the Nairobi Service Center, Kenya. The Finance Branch is responsible for global finance and accounting including providing guidance and oversight for financial management to country, regional and headquarters offices. The Branch advances and owns key financial policies and processes including accounts payable, statutory and donor reporting, and ensuring the ERP and related systems are configured to implement, manage, and report on key financial processes.ย
The incumbent of this position will work in the Accounting and Payments Unit (APU) and work in close collaboration with colleagues in the Nairobi, Kenya Headquarters location, other units of the Finance Branch as well as providing guidance and support to country and regional offices, and payment services to headquarters units.ย The position reports to the Finance Analyst, Accounts and Payments Unit (APU) under the overall supervisor of the Finance Specialist โ APU.ย
The Accounting and Payments unit is responsible for the global Accounts Payable function covering policy and process setting and the ERP Accounts Payable module, as well as servicing headquarters locations for programmatic and operational payments; as well as oversight of payroll adjustments, supplier maintenance and the global Administrative Agent function.ย
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.ย UNFPAโs strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to โbuild forward betterโ, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on womenโs and girlsโ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
You will join a team of professionals to enable UNFPA to effectively and efficiently manage its financial resources and assets towards the achievement of the Fundโs strategic and programmatic objectives, and to ensure the financial sustainability of the organization.
Job Purpose:
The Finance Associate role is responsible for providing guidance and support to UNFPA Nairobi based headquarters (HQ) units in the areas of accounting and financial operations to ensure an effective and transparent management of and accounting for financial resources. This position is a key function of the internal control framework for HQ payment processing. The Finance Associate will be responsible for the review of supporting documents and processing payments in line with UNFPA policy, including the review of implementing partner advances, operational payments, preparation of journal entries, acting as the petty cash custodian for the Nairobi Service Center, supplier management processes and other areas.ย
You would be responsible for:ย
Partnerships, knowledge management, communication and training Actively participate in Finance Branch and team meetings.ย Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with key partners of the Nairobi Service Center and the broader Finance Branch to ensure business continuity. Provide financial training and facilitate knowledge transfers with Nairobi based HQ staff or the global finance community based on financial and operations procedures, or guidance notes. Contribute to the global financial management community facilitated by the Finance Branch.2. Business continuity activities
In line with UNFPA policies and procedures:ย
Conduct a fiduciary review of accounts payable requests to ensure accuracy of computation, chart of accounts usage and attachment of required documents. Prepare and submit invoices in a timely manner for approval, covering payments to vendors, claims, cost recovery, billing, and related transactions in the ERP system. Review requests for General Ledger Journal entries and prepare adjustment entries for approval. Perform first-level finance review of Implementing Partners (IPs) eFACE forms and UN-to-UN transactions; prepare IP payment requests, and liquidation reports and submit for approval. Review overtime requests for Nairobi based HQ staffย to verify computation accuracy, completeness, and compliance with UNFPA Overtime Compensation Policy. Identify local deposits received with the UN entity as the treasury provider; provide supporting documentation and chart of accounts details for proper deposit application. Serve as a petty cash custodian for Nairobi based HQ units, ensuring proper administration and accountability. Provide guidance, support, and timely responses to queries fromย Nairobi based HQ units through the Global Service Desk. Provide back up support to NYHQ APU team, including payment processing, credit card reconciliation and other activities as required.3. Support and guidance to offices on financial management
Provide guidance, support and instructions on the Accounts Payable process and Supplier set up and maintenance functions to colleagues inย Nairobi based HQ units. Monitor fund codes for closure to ensure requirements have been met and/ or engage budget owners for necessary action.4.ย Accounting, period end and year end closure activities
Analyze and correct general ledger accounts related to payables, performing ongoing data corrections as part of periodic and year-end closure processes.5. Reporting and information management including Statutory and Donor Reporting
Monitor financial data integrity and completeness using dashboards and follow up with Nairobi-based HQ units; complete periodic and year-end closure activities as assigned. Prepare financial information from the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to assist internal and external auditsย6. Business process and systems efficiency
Analyze system-generated reports to identify and address delayed or duplicate payments. Propose improvements to enhance efficiency and harmonize business processes.7. Other duties
Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadershipQualifications and Experienceย
Education:ย
Completed Secondary Level Education required. Part qualified Professional Accounting qualification such as ACCA, CIMA, CA, or a first level bachelorโs degree in finance, accounting or business administration is desirable.
Knowledge and Experience:ย
6 years finance-related work experience - accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger maintenance, etc. Experience in the application of IPSAS or IFRS would be advantageous. Proficiency in use of spreadsheets, word processing and computerized accounting systems (preferably Oracle Cloud computing).ย Strong written and oral communications skills. Ability to organize effectively, work under pressure with attention to detail, precision and accuracy Dedication to UN principles and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with persons of different national background.Languages:ย
Fluency in English is required; working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.ย
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Required Competencies:ย
Values:
Exemplifying integrity,ย Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,ย Embracing cultural diversity,ย Embracing changeCore Competencies:ย
Achieving results, Being accountable, Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen, Thinking analytically and strategically, Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships, Communicating for impactFunctional Competencies:
Ensuring operational effectiveness and accountability for results,ย Managing the organizationโs financial resources,ย Providing technical / functional supportยย
Compensation and Benefits:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.
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UNFPA Work Environment:
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click hereย to learn more.
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Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.ย
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.ย
Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.