Background Information - Job-specific
Cities Alliance, which is hosted by UNOPS, is a global partnership promoting the role of cities in poverty reduction and sustainable development. Managed by a Secretariat based in Brussels, Bangkok and Nairobi, it is a unique partnership with a diverse membership which has come together to strengthen both impacts and coherence in urban development. Cities Alliance is a global leader with a strong track record in grant-making, which supports strategic city planning, slum upgrading strategies and national policies designed to make cities more inclusive and sustainable. Through UNOPS, the Cities Alliance operates a Multi-Donor Fund supported by an efficient, flexible grant-making mechanism with global reach.
Cities Alliance provides financial and technical assistance to local city stakeholders in low-income countries to identify and implement approaches for improved local migration management that are relevant to each cityโs context. As migration and displacement in developing countries are characterized by informality, Cities Alliance builds partnerships among various constituencies at the local, national, and global levels to jointly identify and negotiate a better way forward. Sustainable urban planning instruments, such as urban expansion planning, are at the forefront of Cities Allianceโs work to provide equitable access to a city for all.
Functional Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Finance, the incumbent will be responsible for the following tasks and responsibilities :
Financial Management and Reporting
As a Finance Business Partner, foster collaborative relationships, understand programme objectives, identify financial risks and opportunities, and actively participate in the development of strategic solutions.
Conduct financial planning and budgeting for the Cities Alliance Annual Work Plan, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and resource availability.
Track Cities Alliance income and expenditures against budgets and analyze variances on a recurring basis. Prepare managerial reports for senior management review.
Undertake financial management, including recurring general ledger review, recurring accounts reconciliation, management of cost recovery processes, and quarterly and year-end financial closures.
Function as the Finance Business Partner for assigned projects, developing, and maintaining project budgets, review and approve requests for payment, prepare accurate and timely financial reports using the organizationโs financial management systems, track income and expenditures against budgets. Analyze financial data across various cost drivers (personnel, grants, procurement, travel) identifying trends, variances, and areas for improvement.
Grantee Management and Assurance
Ensure compliance with Cities Alliance requirements for grant management.
Participate in select processes in the grant cycle, including proposal assessments, and grant setup and disbursement.
Undertake grantee capacity assessments, and review of periodic financial reports and financial statements.
Undertake grantee assurance activities including fiduciary spot checks, and conduct timely grants closure.
Monitor grant implementation, track progress against milestones, and ensure timely reporting. Identify and flag potential grant implementation issues to management.
Collaborate with grantees to prepare timely and accurate project and financial reports, adhering to Cities Alliance and partner requirements.
Project Delivery Management and Stakeholder Engagement
Analyze national clearance requirements for project activities.
Support the planning and financial management of national and regional dialogues.
Undertake field missions to partner countries and cities to support project implementation.
Monitor project status, evaluate performance based on scope, cost, schedule, and quality, and submit regulatory reports to management.
Build and maintain strong working relationships with donors, grantees, national and local authorities, and key stakeholders.
Ensure recurring internal coordination with all team members.
Knowledge Management and Capacity Building
Develop, review, and revise programme and finance manuals, guidelines, checklists, and templates.
Build the capacity of grantees, and provide training, and recurring advice and guidance on internal control best practices, financial management requirements, financial reporting requirements, and assurance activities including fiduciary spot checks and audits, to grantees and Cities Alliance team members.
Quality Assurance and Compliance
Ensure compliance with UNOPS regulations and rules, and Cities Alliance Standard Operating Procedures
Ensure that projects and grants comply with donor requirements.
Coordinate and undertake quality and compliance reviews of project accounts, documents, and deliverables.
Maintain accurate and auditable financial records.
Coordinate compliance with Health, Safety, Security, and Environment standards across SUIDAC project offices and grants.
Teamwork, Gender Mainstreaming and Climate
Actively participate in Cities Alliance team activities and contribute actively to initiatives enhancing the effectiveness of Cities Alliance.
Contribute to the integration of gender and climate mainstreaming into Cities Alliance programmes and projects.
Any other related assignments as determined by the supervisors.
Education/Experience/Language requirementsEducation
Advanced University Degree (Masters degree of equivalent) in Business, Administration, Financial Management, Accounting, Economics, Project Management, Supply Chain Management, or other relevant discipline is required A first level University degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in the related fields with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above. Experience
A minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated expertise working in the field of accounting, finance, and/or programme or project management, preferably with a focus on urban development is required. Experience in financial planning and budgeting is an asset. Experience in providing capacity building activities at the local level is an asset. Previous experience with grant management is considered an asset. Previous experience in working with cities and local actors in the Horn of Africa is considered an asset.
Language
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an asset. Competencies Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: International ICA
Contract level: ICS10 / IICA2
Contract duration: Open-ended subject to performance and availability of funds.
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Additional Information
Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
Terms and Conditions
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.