NATIONAL POST: Finance Assistant, G5

The Position:

The Finance Assistant post is located in the UNFPA Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (RO) in Istanbul. The incumbent will be part of the operations team and will work under the direct supervision of the International Operations Manager (IOM) and in close cooperation with the Finance Associate. S/he takes a client-oriented, results-focused approach to deliver quality financial services in adherence to relevant policies and standards established by UNFPA and applies finance-related guidelines, processes, and procedures to UNFPA EECARO activities.

 

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025) reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recovering lost gains and realizing our goals.

 

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

 

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.

 

Job Purpose:

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.

 

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
• Thinking analytically and strategically
• Working in teams/ managing ourselves and our relationships
• Communicating for impact
• Commitment to excellence
   

Functional Competencies:

• Managing the organization’s financial resources
• Implementing management systems
• Fraud and operational risks management
• Business acumen and ability to multi-task and balance competing priorities.
• Innovation and marketing of new approaches.
• Pro-activeness and client orientation.

 

 

Compensation and Benefits:

 

This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all, regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are at the heart of UNFPA's workforce. Click here to learn more.

 

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international professional and higher categories who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.