Finance Specialist CATEGORY: ICS-11 (P-4)

JOB ID NO.: 1893

CLOSING DATE: 13 January 2012, 5:00 p.m. New York time

POST TITLE: Finance Specialist

CATEGORY: ICS-11 (P-4)

POST NUMBER: 00026755

POST TYPE: Non-Rotational

DUTY STATION: New York

DURATION: One year (renewable)

ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: Finance Branch, Division for Management Services

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING:

The Finance Specialist is located in the Accounts Section of the Finance Branch, which is responsible for global finance, accounting, and financial monitoring and support to UNFPA’s approximately 140 field offices. This position reports to the Chief of the Accounts Section and supervises the Global Monitoring and Advisory Team (GMAT) of seven general service staff (and indirectly 6 consultants based overseas through the vendor outsourcing project). The Finance Specialist is responsible for preparing a significant portion of the UNFPA statutory financial statements and expenditure section of the UNFPA Annual Report, key stakeholder reports/tools (quarterly reports on NEX advances to the Executive Committee among others), and approximately 15 other services such as management of the vendor outsourcing, FACET tool, processing of HQ INGO advances and expenses among others.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide regular monitoring and expert advisory services/support to all field offices and divisions at Headquarters (HQ) on financial management, policy and procedures (including transaction and reporting requirements) and systems (including Atlas, COGNOS, Vendor Portal, FACET, among others), facilitating adherence to UNFPA rules and effective programme implementation. • Manage timely and accurate analysis and processing of advances and expenses for approximately 100 International NGOs. Build strong relationships and ensure good communication with Programme Units and Payments team for efficient payment and accounting of INGO advances and expenses. • Ensure preparation of strong analysis and monitoring throughout the year providing the basis for reliable and trusted financial statements for internal and external distribution to the Executive Board, Board of Audit and various external publications. • Perform year end functions such as preparation of assigned section of financial statements, schedules and corresponding notes, Annual Report and other requested financial documents. • Represent Accounts Section and Finance Branch (on behalf of and in place of management) at interagency meetings, with full command of the issues and awareness of political and field context. • Serve as technical counterpoint for partnering UN Agencies on UNFPA financial procedures and execution of remittances and ensuring proper accounting for these UN Agency transactions in UNFPA’s books. • Assess Account Section, country office and geographic division financial training requirements, recommending and, when appropriate, developing and providing such training. • Directly supervise and coach Accounts Section support staff, modeling a professionally rigorous environment, while supporting financial skill acquisition and competency development. • Manage UNFPA’s vendor outsourcing project ensuring smooth operations of the business process and making changes where necessary, maintain strong relationship with outsourced firm and all necessary administrative procedures for the contract/Atlas access etc., accurate policy advice and necessary guidance to the field offices. • Approve GLJEs once adequate review is conducted and providing guidance to field offices in this regard • Ensure timely financial project closure and all necessary actions by field offices completed prior to financial closure • Manage FACET application and responsible for advice to field offices on accounting and transactions concerning FACET • Responsible for monthly receipt accrual process and related accurate accounting, for review and accuracy of revaluation process and related accurate accounting and for coordination of field office related aspects of accountability checklist and dashboard • Manage OFA/NEX Advance COGNOS reports and ensure regular testing, accuracy of reports, and guidance/support to field offices • Drafting of assigned sections or financial guidance to HQ Divisions and field offices. This includes but is not limited to Guidance Notes and Year End Closure Instructions. • Act as certifying officer for the Branch and deputize the Section Chief in his/her absence. • Perform other financial responsibilities with the Branch, as required.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Advanced degree in finance-related discipline. A relevant first level university degree plus a professional accounting designation/accreditation (e.g. CPA or CA) may be accepted in lieu of a Masters degree. • At least 7 years of experience at the national and international level including 5 years of supervisory experience. • Experience in dealing with the issues arising from decentralized field operations • Extended specialized experience in accounting, programme management, implementation of generally accepted accounting standards, preferably in IPSAS audit, budgeting and planning. • Experience with ERP (PeopleSoft) is preferred. • Excellent written and spoken communication skills. • Fluency in English is required, knowledge of French or Spanish desirable.

Required Competencies:

Core Competencies

• Values/Guiding Principles; • Performance Management; • Developing People/Coaching and Mentoring & Fostering Innovation and Empowerment; • Working in Teams; • Self-Management/Emotional Intelligence; • Communication; • Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making; • Analytical and Strategic Thinking and Results Orientation/Commitment to Excellence; • Knowledge Sharing/Continuous Learning

Functional Competencies

• Business acumen • Client orientation • Implementing management systems • Innovation/marketing of new approaches • Job knowledge/Technical knowledge • Organizational Awareness

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.

We offer an attractive remuneration package commensurate with the level of the position.

Notice to applicants: In accordance with the rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, are required to renounce such status upon their appointment. Exceptions to this rule are very limited and can be made only for: (a) stateless persons; (b) newly appointed staff members who have applied for citizenship by naturalization, when such citizenship will be granted imminently; (c) acting staff members in the General Service and related categories with permanent residency status, on promotion to the Professional category; (d) staff members appointed under a temporary appointment. Please understand that UNFPA is not in a position to provide advice on or assistance in applying for any citizenship.

How to apply:

UNFPA has established an electronic application management system. This allows applicants to create a candidate profile, which can be updated regularly and submitted for more than one vacancy. Download the Step by Step Guide to Applying in the E-Recruit System of UNFPA at http://www.unfpa.org/employment/vacancy.htm

Please print out the Guide for your reference during the registration and application process.

Notice: There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process. UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.