This Finance Associate position is located within the Revenue Unit of the Finance Branch, Division for Management Services (DMS) and reports directly to the head of the Revenue Unit, under the overall supervision of the Chief of Accounts, Finance Branch.

DMS enables UNFPA to effectively and efficiently manage its financial resources and assets towards the achievement of the Fund’s strategic and programmatic objectives and to ensure the financial sustainability of the organization. To this end, it establishes policies and provides advice, operational guidance, and support in the areas of accounting and reporting, budgeting, financial management, management of implementing partners, risk management and internal controls, assets and facilities management, and general services.  DMS interacts extensively with all UNFPA field offices (at country and regional level) and Headquarters (HQ) units.

The Finance Branch is responsible for global financial management, statutory and specialized reporting, and for policy development and the provision of advice, operational guidance, support and oversight in the areas of general accounting, accounts payable, contributions receivable, other accounts receivable, fund management, donor reporting, treasury management, management of cash transfer to implementing partners and inventory management. The Branch also plays a key role in the custody and distribution of financial resources and the monitoring of expenditures and the strengthening of ongoing compliance with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

The Finance Branch is also actively involved in the UNFPA ICT Transformation (ICTX) programme, which aims at implementing an integrated and transformational IT solution, including a new, more agile and flexible Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system providing UNFPA with more effective business processes and better ability to respond to evolving user needs.

The Revenue Unit is responsible for the recording, monitoring and reporting of contributions received from donors in accordance with UNFPA revenue recognition policy.  The unit also provides advisory support on donor agreements to both HQ units and field offices (FOs) and; is responsible for the preparation of revenue related disclosures in the Financial Statements and external reports; acts as the focal point for treasury operations including investment monitoring (currently outsourced to UNDP Treasury; oversees UNFPA’s Administrative Agent (AA) role in pooled joint funding mechanism. The Revenue Unit also coordinates its activities closely with the Resource Mobilization Branch (RMB –  Division of Communications & Strategic Partnerships) on operational aspects of revenue management, including the submissions of certified reports.

Under the overall supervision of the head of the Revenue Unit, the Finance Associate supports the operationalization and continuous improvement of the UNFPA Policy and Procedures on Revenue Management. This includes (i) preparation of information for financial reports to external and governing bodies and, external parties, preparation of donor certified financial reports, and provision of accounting, monitoring and support services to FOs and HQ units. The Finance Associate coordinates closely its activities with the RMB on operational aspects of revenue management, including the submissions of certified reports.

Main Task and Responsibilities

Prepare financial reports to external and governing bodies, external parties and donors

Perform periodic reconciliation and review of contribution receivable balances and prepare the Schedule B (co-financing agreement funds) of UNFPA Financial Statements;

Clean up financial data in preparation to annual report and prepare and submit annual and final certified financial statements to donors in accordance with the approved reporting schedule;

Issue ad-hoc financial reporting to donors when required.

Provide accounting, monitoring and support services to FOs and HQ units

• Regularly review, reconcile and prepare ageing analysis for assigned balance sheet accounts, with timely actions taken on aged and potentially inaccurate balances;
• Book indirect costs (IC), prepare IC exception reports, provide guidance and support on IC related queries and process necessary IC adjustments for reporting and year-end closure (if required);
• Lead the year-end exercise for clearing of deficit fund balances and outstanding items under the co-financing fund codes;
• Prepare the reconciliation of financial data between the system revenue sub-module and the general ledger focusing on income and receivables for co-financing agreements;
• Monitor small contributions, provide guidance for FOs and HQ units and clear dormant funds according to the UNFPA procedures;
• Monitor aged outstanding balances on expired agreements and proactively follow-up with RMB to ensure prompt remedial action is taken as regards refund or transfer of the resource;
• In cooperation with RMB, complete the reclassification of fund balances for expired agreements to accounts payable (refund to donors);
• Actively participate in assigned accounts closure activities
• Perform other duties as required by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Completed secondary level education required. First level degree and/or accounting qualification from a recognized body is desirable. 
• Candidate must pass the UN GGST/ASAT exams to be appointed.
• 7 years of experience in accounting/finance/supply chain management related role;
• Strong attention to detail and data analysis skills; ability to use large and imperfect datasets for meaningful analysis identifying key trends, data integrity gaps, and performance strength and weaknesses;
• Good writing, communication and presentation skills;
• Proficiency in the use of spreadsheets, word processing and computerized accounting systems; 
• Experience in drafting policy and guidance documents, standard operating procedures and training manuals is a strong advantage;
• Previous experience with the UN system organizations is desirable;
• Previous experience with major ERP system, preferably PeopleSoft/Oracle is desirable;
• Fluency in English language is required; Proficiency in French and / or Spanish is a significant advantage.

This is a local position that is non-rotational.  Candidates for this position must have a valid G-4 visa at the time of their application and whose G4 visa has been acquired on account of their employment in the UN systems is based in New York or Washington, D.C., or be USA Citizen or have valid USA Permanent Residency.  

Required competencies:

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
• Embracing diversity in all its forms
• Embracing change

 Core Competencies:

• Achieving Results  
• Being Accountable
• Developing and Applying Professional Expertise/Business Acumen
• Thinking analytically and Strategically
• Working in Teams/Managing Ourselves and our Relationships
• Communicating for Impact

Functional Competencies

• Ensuring operational effectiveness and accountability for results
• Managing the organizations financial resources
• Providing a technical functional support system

This position offers an attractive remuneration package commensurate with the level of the post.   The package includes a competitive net salary, health and dental insurance and other benefits.

WARNING TO APPLICANTS: UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web. Should you feel that you have received a fraudulent notice, letter or offer that makes use of the name or logo of UNFPA, you may submit a report through the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm

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 provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, embracing diversity in all its forms and integrity.  UNFPA is committed to maintaining a balanced gender distribution and therefore encourages women to apply.  UNFPA promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities.