Only candidates who are not nationals of the country of assignment are eligible to apply to this position: Hardship Level: E (most hardship)

Family Type: Non FamilyDanger Pay

Residential location (if applicable): Grade: PR3

Staff Member / Affiliate Type: Professional

* S taff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff member’s country of nationality.: In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.: Reason: Regular > Regular Assignment

Remote work accepted: No

Target Start Date: 2023-07-26

Job Posting End Date: August 14, 2023

Standard Job Description: Finance Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Regional Controller or Senior Finance Officer and in functional coordination with DFAM’s Accounts and Financial Service (AFS). In the Country or Multi-Country Offices, the incumbent may be supervised by a Senior Finance Officer, Assistant Representative (Admin), Head of Sub-Office, or other senior positions as delegated by the Representative.

The incumbent is responsible for co-ordinating, guiding, monitoring, advising on, and supporting the financial operations in the area of responsibility (AoR). With the objective to safeguard and optimize the utilization of UNHCR’s monetary and physical resources, the incumbent contributes to the establishment of efficient and reliable mechanisms and processes to ensure compliance with UN financial regulations and UNHCR’s rules, policies and procedures including, and not limited to, accounts payable and treasury processes, accounting, and implementation of internal control mechanisms, including support to oversight and audit functions.

The incumbent also identifies and manages risks under their responsibility in close coordination with the Risk Management and Compliance Advisor. In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent supports the work of the Regional Controller with authority to discuss problems and seek common ground on which to recommend solutions based on predetermined guidelines provided by higher authority.

The incumbent may directly supervise professional and general service 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

•  Oversee and guide integrated financial management and reporting for the area of responsibility (AoR).
•  Assess, review, and ensure application of finance-related policies, instructions, procedures, etc.
•  Provide advice to management regarding the application of financial policies and procedures and, when necessary, coordinate with the Regional Controller or Office of the Controller, as applicable, regarding the interpretation of such policies and procedures.
•  Ensure accounting records are correct and reliable, including’and not limited to’timely bank reconciliations, maintenance of open items, timely processing of travel financial transactions, clearance of residual requisitions and purchase order balance.
•  In close coordination with the AFS, support the preparation and review of donor financial reports, and endorse such reports before submission to donors.
•  Ensure monthly and yearly closing as well as any other periodic accounting-related processes are executed in a timely and accurate manner.
•  Ensure the maintenance and on-going validity of the Delegation of Authority Plan (DOAP).
•  Ensure that payments made are timely and accurately, and all month-end and year-end cut-off processes are implemented in line with relevant guidance.
•  Supervise the preparation of financial reports, monitoring and supervising expenditures with respect to approved budgets and work plans.
•  Ensure that local bank account administration and associated cash management functions are performed in adherence to financial guidelines
•  Perform financial management and control related to Cash-Based Interventions in adherence to financial guidelines.
•  Review and certify vouchers, including ABOD and project disbursements;
•  Perform project control functions for both directly and indirectly implemented activities, in the absence of a dedicated project control position
•  Coordinate, review and endorse responses to audit queries from internal and external audits and ensure the implementation of accounting audit recommendations.
•  Perform other relevant duties as required.

Regional financial services applicable to positions in the Regional Bureau only

•  In coordination with relevant services in HQ, and to improve cost-effectiveness and process efficiency for operations, implement and manage regional finance-related services such as: vendor and other related master data management and maintenance, invoice posting, travel claim processing, payments, bank reconciliations, accounting housekeeping and period cut-off activities, donor financial reporting, etc.
•  Make proposals for the continuous improvement of financial monitoring and control mechanisms, including the streamlining of financial systems and procedures.
•  In coordination with DFAM’s Change Management and Field Support Section and the Global Learning and Development Centre, identify and provide training on accounting matters, and recommend or develop training modules as necessary, aiming at the development of financial management skills.
•  In close liaison with DFAM’s System Administration Section and other divisions as necessary, provide and plan activities for rollout of new processes or systems; assist the Regional Controller in monitoring the implementing internal control mechanisms and compliance with UNHCR’s financial policies and procedures in the region.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P3/NOC – 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Accounting; Finance; Public or Business Administration;

Economics; or other relevant field.

(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Certificates and/or Licenses

Professional accounting, auditing or financial management designation (CPA/ACCA/CIA/CMA or equivalent)

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Work experience in the field of accounting/finance, project management, business analysis, quality assurance and/or risk management. Excellent knowledge of, and experience in working with, international accounting and auditing standards, with a minimum of two years of practical experience in the audit process and/or in financial statements preparation. Working experience with accrual accounting (such as IPSAS or IFRS). Excellent understanding and/or experience of financial modules a major Enterprise Resource Planning system (such as PeopleSoft, SAP or Oracle). Good understanding of project and resource management. Excellent computer skills, in particular in MS Office applications, especially MS-excel. Excellent communication and negotiation skills. Experience of managing people in multinational/multicultural environments.

Desirable

Good knowledge of UNHCR systems (such as Focus and MSRP). Excellent knowledge of United Nations financial rules and procedures.

Functional Skills

FI-General Financial Management

FI-Financial auditing

FI-International Auditing Standards

FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc)

FI-Financial Accounting – Modified cash-based accounting as per international standards

(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: The ideal candidate should have a good knowledge and understanding of UNHCR’s financial regulations and rules. S/he must have a demonstrated experience in managing the financial resources of the office through the ABOD and reviewing financial transactions with the view to mitigating risks. Hands-on knowledge and work experience with COMPASS and Workday as well as understanding of the Cloud ERP are an asset. Given the supervisory roles over Admin and Finance Units and providing support to Sub-Offices, Field-Offices and Field Units, demonstrated experience in a similar operational context, overseeing all these functional workstreams, is a requirement. Familiarity and experience with a UNHCR operation working under a UN Security Council Sanctions regime will be an asset. Ability to propose sound workarounds compliant with the financial regulation and rules in a complex and constantly changing financial regulatory environment would be a desired attribute. The operation is a high-risk financial environment, as such, a desired attribute would be attention to detail and constant reflection on the risks and measures to mitigate them.

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

Desired languages: , ,

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:: Under the supervision of the Assistant Representative (Admin), the Finance Officer, the incumbent is responsible for co-ordinating, guiding, monitoring, advising on, and supporting the financial operations in the area of responsibility (AoR). With the objective to safeguard and optimize the utilization of UNHCR ‘s monetary and physical resources, the incumbent contributes to the establishment of efficient and reliable mechanisms and processes to ensure compliance with UN financial regulations and UNHCR ‘s rules, policies and procedures including, and not limited to, accounts payable and treasury processes, accounting, and implementation of internal control mechanisms, including support to oversight and audit functions.

The incumbent may support the supervisor with the identification and management of risks under their responsibility in close coordination with the Risk Management and Compliance Advisor. In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent supports the work of the Regional Controller with authority to discuss problems and seek common ground on which to recommend solutions based on predetermined guidelines provided by higher authority.

Living and Working Conditions:: Afghanistan is a high-risk country with a very complex operational environment, characterized by uncertainty and frequent security incidents. Movement by all personnel is restricted, coordinated and monitored by the security officers. UNHCR in Kabul is located within the ICON Compound on the Supreme road of the Police district 9. It occupies 40 MOSS compliant rooms for staff accommodation with each room having its own washroom and other facilities. Offices are within the ICON compound. No visits except in UN compounds and Embassies which is frustrating, stressful to cope. UNHCR and UN agencies jointly run JMS Level 1 medical clinic and satellite located in ICON. S/M on special prescription should travel with sufficient quantity. Medical facilities in Kabul include German Clinic, French Medical Institute for Mothers & Children (FMIC), Blossom Health Center and Iqarus International (AMC). COVID-19 MTF was established in ICON. Outdoor air quality is a health concern in Kabul. The degree of exposure and concentration of air pollutants can be detrimental to breathing problems, development of chronic diseases and deterioration of health status in individuals with chronic diseases. Air pollution contributes to comorbidities that are known to worsen outcomes among those infected with COVID-19. air pollution can impair lung development in infants and children; increase probability of preterm birth and delivery of new-borns with low birth weight. office provides air purifiers both in the office and accommodation. Health problems contributing to years lost to illness, disability, or premature death in the country include diet, tobacco use, high fasting glucose and high blood pressure; as well as environmental risks such as pollution and water-borne disease. Road crash, conflict, terror are major causes of injuries. security situation is unstable, volatile, unpredictable with rise 2020-2022. A daily radio check is mandatory. All movements is strictly by Armoured Vehicle or by air and no road. A 4-week R&R cycle, staff are highly encouraged not to delay. Considering the serious restrictions on staff movement, it is crucial to demonstrate a record of maintaining a positive attitude whenever confronted with adversity and restraints in social life. Staff interested in the position should be mentally, psychologically, and physically fit and ready to face situations when required to be locked down in compound bunkers for an extended period due to security incidents.

Additional Qualifications: Skills

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Accounting (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Finance (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Public Administration (Required)Certifications

Accounting – Other, Auditing – Other, Financial Management – OtherWork Experience

Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number 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 IDPs, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: StatelessCompetencies: Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Managing resource, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator: https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium: Add. 4 to March 2023 Compendium – Part B

Additional Information: Functional clearance: This position requires Functional Clearance