Finance Associate

JOB ID NO.: 1801

CLOSING DATE: 28 June 2011 (5pm New York time)

POST TITLE: Finance Associate

CATEGORY: ICS- 6

POST TYPE: Non-Rotational

DUTY STATION: New York

DURATION: One year initially

ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: Finance Branch, Division for Management Services (FB/DMS)

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING:

The Finance Associate post is located in the Finance Branch (FB), Division of Management Services (DMS), and reports to a Finance Specialist (P4) in the Accounts Section. The Finance Branch is responsible for global finance, including budgets, accounting and treasury services as well as initiating improvement efforts in areas of financial operations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Advisory support to Country Offices • Advise and support UNFPA staff in RO, SRO and Country offices on programme budget reallocations and chart of accounts coding, etc., accounting, policy application and other financial matters. • Examine and analyze quarterly reports of expenditure (COE/FACE) for reasonable ending balances. This includes: o Monitor CO Operating Fund Balances, o Reconciliation of submitted reports with the general ledger, and o Analysis of exchange rate gains/losses on operating fund accounts. • Provide training to CO finance assistants on application of financial policy, Atlas use and Excel. Training may be held via teleconference or in person in the field.

Analysis of accounts • Review accounting transactions to ensure compliance with policies and procedures. • Review CO trial balance for reasonableness and advise COs of potential mistakes.

Assist CO in accountability obligations • Monitor financial information integrity and completeness via the dashboard and follow up with COs to ensure the following are performed to allow for monthly closures: o vouchers are posted, o charges to incorrect accounts are corrected, o purchase orders and requisitions are not excessively aged, o petty cash is properly processed, o staff advances are properly accounted for and collected upon, and o programme budgets are not over allocated

Assistance in yearend closure process • Prepare financial analysis as requested. This can include, but is not limited to: o Reviewing UNDP HQ bank reconciliations for all currencies for accuracy with B2B report (Bank Book UNDP report) and the general ledger, o Creation of general ledger journal entries, o Summarization of trial balance for financial statement preparation, and o Research of anomalies and follow up with respective user.

General • Promote continuous improvement and harmonization of business processes. • Perform activities that may be assigned from time to time to ensure the success of the working team.

CORE COMPETENCIES: • Values/guiding Principles • Developing People • Building and Managing Relationships • Personal Leadership and Effectiveness

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES: • Logistical support • Managing data • Managing documents, correspondence and reports • Managing information and workflow • Planning, organizing and multi-tasking • Providing financial support • Job knowledge/technical expertise

QUALIFICATIONS: • Completion of secondary education with supplemental training in Accounting. • 6 years finance-related work experience - accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger maintenance, etc. Experience in the application of IPSAS or IFRS would be advantageous. • Proficiency in use of spreadsheets, word processing and computerized accounting systems (preferable PeopleSoft). • Completion of UN Accounting Test required. • Strong written and oral communications skills. • Ability to organize effectively, work under pressure with attention to detail, precision and accuracy. • Dedication to UN principles and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with persons of different national background. • Additional training in accounting at the post-secondary level. • Proven experience of UN accounting framework and systems, specifically PeopleSoft. • English is required. Knowledge of a second UN language, such as French or Spanish, is considered an advantage.

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. The package includes a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits.

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 athttp://www.unfpa.org/employment/application_guide.doc.

SPECIAL NOTE:

Please note that applicants applying for UNFPA General Service posts located in New York must have a valid G-4 visa or U.S. Permanent Residency or U.S. Citizenship. Applicants must pass the UN ASAT and, when applicable, the UN Accounting Test in order to be eligible to be appointed against the post. We will only be able to respond to those applicants in whom UNFPA has a further interest.

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.

UNFPA reserves the right to appoint prior to closing date.