Finance Assistant

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.

As part of UNFPA’s strategic direction at the regional level, the Finance Assistant helps to build regional capacity and make sure that core and non-core resources are used effectively and efficiently. They do this by making sure that accurate and reliable financial data and information is recorded and reported on time, along with the quality checks that are required according to UNFPA guidelines and procedures

You would be responsible for:

Assisting the Finance Associate in performing financial services: 

• Plan, organize and manage own workload to ensure your contribution to the regional office financial reporting process is achieved in a timely and accurate manner.
• Contribute to preparation of programme and operating budgets.
• Ensure swift processing of financial transactions, including payments to vendors, claims, cost recovery, billing, and overtime payments.
• Share payment advices with all vendors and conduct regular invoice reconciliation with vendors and account balances with UNDP. Bring any differences to the attention of the Finance Associate for timely follow-up actions
• Liaise with UNDP to verify that financial transactions are made on time, including the refund of money deposited in UNDP account, and ensure accuracy of computation, chart of accounts and attachment of required documents.
• Ensure effective financial reporting system, including contributing to preparation and submission of monthly and quarterly accountability checklists and year-end certifications and reporting in an accurate and timely manner
• Provide support to the IOM and FA in executing audit recommendations and enhancing office accountability and compliance. This includes evaluating and implementing measures to prevent fraud and operational risks in accordance with the enterprise risk management framework.
• Act as ERP focal person, perform finance user functions, carry out capacity-building activities for regional office staff and work on projects Handle finance and banking-related matters for office operations and answer related queries.
• Act as custodian of petty cash with the responsibility of ensuring full compliance with UNFPA’s Petty Cash Policy;

Assisting Finance Associate in providing financial support for programme implementation:

• Ensure that financial transactions for EECARO programme and projects, including advances of funds to implementing partners, are processed in an accurate and timely way and in accordance with relevant policies and procedures.
• Ensure that financial resources are spent in compliance with donor requirements and the timeframe of the project, and maintain an up-to-date database of such requirements for each donor of the RO.
• Draft an accurate donor financial report in collaboration with the program team, as required by donors, and assist in reparation and donor verification missions.
• Participate in HACT spot checks and also carry out reconciliation of support costs paid to IPs to ensure compliance with guidelines and identify the inclusion of indirect costs in IP expenditure reports.
• Assist in the review and assessment of reported amounts on FACE forms (funding authorization and certificate of expenditures), cash advances, and follow-up on aged OFAs (operating fund accounts), and conduct necessary reconciliations.
• Assist in reviewing the Implementing Partners internal controls with respect to financial
• management, procurement, and/or other controls required to implement the activities defined in the work plan.
• Assist in strengthening the performance of administrative and financial staff of implementing partners through periodic on-site one-on-one training as well as group training.

Assisting Finance Associate in efficient travel processing:

• Collect, calculate and process financial travel claims (F10s) in a timely and accurate manner;
• Effectively process payments to travel agency, advances and reimbursements to travelers.
• Conduct monthly reconciliation of balances with the Travel agent.
• Conduct travel advance and travel claim reconciliation on a regular basis and ensure effective follow-up with relevant parties.
• Maintain accurate office travel records, compile reports, and conduct trend analysis.
• carry out additional tasks that the supervisor has assigned.

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

• A completed secondary-level education is required.
• A first-level university degree or certification in accounting, finance, or business administration is desirable.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in finance or accounting.
• Proven experience and track record in successfully managing and implementing financial policies, processes, and systems in development organizations or the private sector.
• Working knowledge of IPSAS or international accounting standards and principles.
• Proficiency in current Microsoft Office applications (especially Microsoft Excel and Word).
• Experience in using an ERP system (e.g., PeopleSoft, Oracle, SAP) or similar computerized applications.
• Ability to produce analytical reports and write clearly and concisely.
• Working experience with UN organizations is desirable.

Languages: 

• Fluency in English and Turkish is required.

Source: https://www.unfpa.org/jobs/national-post-finance-assistant-g5