Senior Finance Associate - Administration

Hardship LevelH (no hardship)

Family TypeFamily

Family TypeFamily

Residential location (if applicable)

GradeGS7

Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service

ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment

Remote work acceptedNo

Target Start Date2023-09-18

Job Posting End DateAugust 9, 2023

Standard Job DescriptionSenior Finance Associate Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Senior Finance Associate is normally supervised by the (Senior) Finance Officer who defines general work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance. The incumbent also refers to UNHCR Manuals and relevant policy papers on financial issues. The incumbent works quite independently on regular assignments with an oversight from the supervisor. 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. The incumbent normally supervises some support staff. 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 - Oversees the processing of financial transactions and reconciliations in line with relevant policies and procedures. - Provide financial reports as per financial guidelines and when required. - Maintain ledgers and accounting records for classification and recording of financial transactions and for the reconciliation of accounts and preparation of recurring or special reports. - Ensure timely and accurate calculation and payment of salaries, allowances, travel claims and other payments to staff members, experts and consultants, vendors and other claimants. - Contribute to the preparation and processing of monthly accounts. - Prepare financial data for budget estimates and financial planning. - Ensure reconciliation of cash books with bank statements. - Maintain liaison with officials of local banks and financial institutions to obtain day-to-day information on exchange and interest rates, changes in procedures and regulations, and matters pertaining to maintenance of office bank accounts. - Assist colleagues in all aspects of accounts maintenance and budget control by providing reports on financial status, procedures, exchange rates, costs and expenditures and potential funding problems. - Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Years of Experience / Degree Level For G7 - 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher Field(s) of Education Not applicable. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential) Certificates and/or Licenses Finance; Business Administration; Accounting; (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Not specifed. Desirable Knowledge and work experience of MSRP Finance applications. Good knowledge of UN/UNHCR Financial rules and procedures. Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to the functions of the position. Functional Skills *IT-Computer Literacy *IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) (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 Profile - Experience working in field operations, Multi-Country Offices, Regional Bureaus, and/or HQ entities in the areas of Administration, Finance, Supply, Programme and/or HR.
- Knowledge of IPSAS and UNHCR's Financial Rules and Regulations
- Proven skills to conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis of large amounts of data and information and ability to summarize findings in high level reports.
- Strong communications and inter-personal skills, collaboration and team spirit is a must.

Additional information:

Candidates must be legally present in Switzerland at the time of application, recruitment and hire.

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test. No late applications will be accepted.

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): English

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Desired languagesFrench

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The Regional Bureau for Europe covers 33 offices - 49 states 28 of which EU member states and the rest consisting of EU accession countries with close ties to the EU or countries following distinct political and economic paths. In view of Ukraine situation, Europe is now host to one of the world's largest and fastest growing refugee population, with over 6.8 million refugee movements out of Ukraine since 24 February 2022 adding to an existing population of 6.8 million refugees in Europe.

This position will provide services to the Regional Bureau for Europe and countries in the region, in terms of technical advice, oversight and support, as needed, in the region in the areas of Administration, Finance, internal controls, and oversight activities.

Considering this context, in addition to the applicable duties mentioned in the JD, the following will also be expected to be carried out by the incumbent:

- Support Regional Controller and Finance Officer on oversight activities, including audit, in terms of filing, follow-up and organizing meetings.

- Produce financial reports and highlight the areas of abnormal transactions.

- Assist in periodic monitoring and analysis of the key financial performance indicators in the region. This includes supporting the quarterly CFR at the Bureau.

- Prepare vouchers, requisitions of Bureau and ensure timely payment

- Support Operations with technical advice regarding financial and administrative matters and fraud prevention and mitigation, with the support of DFAM, as well as monitor compliance with year-end closure of accounts and relevant internal controls.

- Monitor mission tracking list of the Bureau and follow-up with unit focal points and travelers.

- Monitor and provide support to country offices on their submissions for write offs

- Support in analyzing and follow up on VAT compliance with recovery requirements, and write-off submissions where necessary.

- Support in analyzing finance related areas in the Risk Registry and ICSAQ.

- Support in the roll out of Cloud ERP and assist operations in the region.

- Act as a secretary of RAMB

The position reports to the Administrative Officer.

Living and Working Conditions:

Geneva is a HQ duty station offering high standard living conditions with a relatively high cost of living.

With the exception of nationals of the European Union (EU), the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Brunei Darussalam, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Principality of Andorra, San Martin, Singapore and Vatican, nationals from other countries are subject to the visa requirement for taking up employment. In the absence of a Swiss long stay entry visa, the Swiss mission cannot issue them a Carte de legitimation (equivalent to a work and residency permit). The same rule applies to family members who, depending on their nationalities, must enter Switzerland with a visa for family reunion purposes.

Identifying accommodation will be a priority before arriving at the duty station. Staff members assigned to Geneva have also been granted the opportunity to reside in neighbouring France on the understanding that the preconditions to acquiring a French residency permit are respected.
Medical care is up to international standards. Under the Swiss Federal Health Insurance Act health insurance coverage is compulsory for all persons domiciled in Switzerland within three months of taking up residence or being born in the country. International staff members and their family members holding a Carte de legitimation or an attestation delivered by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs are exempt from this compulsory insurance provided that they are covered by another health insurance scheme (i.e. UNSMIS).

With regard to educational facilities in the Geneva area, international schools (La Grande Boissière, Châtaigneraie and Pregny) have difficulties to find places for new admissions. It is therefore advisable to make requests for admission for children as early as possible. For more information on this subject, staff can contact the Association Genevoise des écoles privées in Geneva (www.agep.ch), tel: (+41 22 735 7671).

Staff members at the grade of P-5 and above, who reside in Switzerland, enjoy diplomatic status in Switzerland and may purchase goods tax-free in Switzerland. They are also entitled to the Swiss petrol card and CD plates.

Switzerland is in general a safe place with little violent crime.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

CertificationsAccounting - Other, Business Administration - Other, Finance - Other

Work ExperienceNumber of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Others of Concern, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless

CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness

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Compendium

Additional Information

Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance