GradeGS5
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service
ReasonTemporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment
Hardship LevelA (least hardship)
Family TypeFamily<p></p><p></p>
Residential location (if applicable)
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2023-05-10
Target End Date2023-12-31
Job Posting End DateJune 8, 2023
Standard Job DescriptionSenior Finance Assistant Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Senior Finance Assistant is normally supervised by a more senior finance colleague who defines work objectives and provides regular advice and guidance. The incumbent also refers to UNHCR Manuals and relevant policy papers on financial issues. The incumbent assists with the processing of financial transactions. S/he keeps frequent contact with staff at various levels in the office and with bank officials to exchange information. 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 - Maintain financial records for project or other office accounts for which responsibility is assigned. - Record receipts and payments, assure accuracy of computation and completeness of documents and maintain continuing status of allotments against obligations. - Prepare recurring reports on assigned accounts, noting problems resulting from excess cost or less-than-expected receipts. - Prepare special reports to clarify problems or as requested for other reasons. - Calculate and compile cost estimates and projected budget requirements and assist in preparation of budget statements for area of assignment. - Prepare routine correspondence and maintain contracts with others to discuss matters concerning accounts and related assignments. - Maintain contacts with local banks to clarify questions pertaining to office bank accounts. - Brief and assist new staff on basic financial procedures and requirements with respect to payments, entitlements, banking and currency provisions and other requirements relating to accounts and finance. - Initiate correspondence to verify data, answer queries and obtain additional information on accounts and financial transactions, as required. - Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level For G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher Field(s) of Education Not applicable Certificates and/or Licenses Accounting; Business Administration; Finance; HCR Learning Prog; (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Not specified Desirable Not specified Functional Skills IT-Computer Literacy FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other) IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software (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 ProfileDesired Candidate Profile:
Candidates must be legally present in Costa Rica at the time of application, recruitment and hire.
Only candidates holding a legally job permit in Costa Rica will be considered eligible.
We are committed to maintaining diversity in terms of gender, ethnicity and culture. Persons belonging to minority groups, persons with special abilities, men and women, are encouraged to apply for vacancies. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
Eligible candidates may be required to take a technical test and/or an interview.
If you have special needs or require assistance to apply, please contact cossarrhh@unhcr.org
Covid-19 Vaccination and related Safety Measures:
UNHCR has a responsibility to prevent and curb the spread of COVID-19 as part of its accountability to its workforce and the communities it works in and serves. Whilst other measures (such as hand hygiene, physical distancing, ventilation and wearing masks) remain crucial, being vaccinated against COVID-19 plays a key role in protecting oneself, families, colleagues, and the community including persons of concerns and has been proven to significantly reduce risks of serious illness and death from COVID-19. Therefore, in alignment with other UN agencies and based on the advice of the UN Medical Directors network, UNHCR strongly urges all colleagues to get vaccinated as soon as possible to protect themselves and others.
Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to proof of full vaccination, independently of contract type and duration, unless the candidate is based in a location with documented lack of access to COVID-19 vaccines.
Therefore, the people recommended for the position must provide proof of vaccination or the medical recommendation that justifies non-vaccination.
Operational Context
In terms of the asylum context in Costa Rica, the socio-political situation in Nicaragua since April 2018 produced a particularly sharp increase in the number of Nicaraguan asylum-seekers. Only 78 Nicaraguans were registered as asylum-seekers in 2017. From April 2018 to December
2021, the number had grown to 137,000 (plus 4,000 refugees. While the onset of the COVID pandemic and related measures diminished the regular influx of new asylum seekers in 2020, in 2021 it rose again, reaching a historical peak of 59,450 new applications in one year. In
January 2022, approximately 14,500 persons applied for asylum in one month.
The level of humanitarian and legal protection needs has continued to increase for those asylum-seekers, refugees, and persons at risk of statelessness in the country. Aside from Nicaraguan, Costa Rica also continues to receive asylum-seekers from Venezuela, Colombia, El
Salvador, Honduras, Cuba and other countries. Under considerable strain, the asylum system is the country has accumulated over 220,000 asylum seekers by the end of 2022.
Since 2021, and especially throughout 2022, there has also been an increase in mixed movements entering Costa Rica through Panama. A percentage of these persons in mixed movements decide at some point to seek asylum in Costa Rica.
UNHCR in Costa Rica seeks to guarantee the rights of persons fleeing persecution at the borders, both at border posts and in other areas along the migratory route. Border monitoring is carried out to ensure that asylum seekers can gain access to the territory, obtain information and
access the asylum procedure in Costa Rica. Identification of cases of refoulement and deportation, advocacy with the authorities, an attention to and referral to persons in need of international protection are carried out.
UNHCR key activities involve registration, border monitoring, community-based protection to identify particularly vulnerable individuals, case management, counselling, livelihoods and peaceful coexistence projects through its partners and directly. A Cash Based response started in
October 2019 to fill basic assistance gaps of the most vulnerable families. This initiative relies heavily on the direct support of Programme, Admin/Finance, Procurement and Human Resources for its implementation.
Currently, UNHCR in Costa Rica has three offices, two in San Jose and one in Upala, with an organizational structure of 115 people including International and National positions and Affiliate personnel.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Certificates and/or Licenses
Accounting; Business Administration; Finance; HCR Learning Prog;
Language requirements:
English B2
Spanish C2 or mother tongue
Functional ClearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level)Spanish
,English
Desired languages
,
Additional Qualifications
SkillsFI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other), IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
Education
CertificationsAccounting - Other, Business Administration - Other, Finance - Other, HCR Learning Program - UNHCR
Work Experience
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Other information