UNU-WIDER is looking for an outstanding individual with strong commitment and potential to support our global Finance Team.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Operations Manager, the Finance Associate is responsible for provision of financial and budgetary services at UNU-WIDER, supporting effective and transparent utilization of financial resources and integrity of financial services consistent with UN and UNU regulations and rules. The Finance Associate coordinates and oversees the work of the personnel in the Finance team and has the following duties and responsibilities:

Responsibilities

1.       Accounting / Finance

• Serves as Approving Officer (AO) in the Enterprise Resource Systems (e.g. Quantum/Oracle etc.).

• Reviews source documents for completeness, accuracy and validity of charges.

• Prepares payments for final disbursement by Cashier.

• Investigates erroneous charges and takes appropriate corrective accounting actions.

• Reconciles and reviews suspense accounts and ensures proper clearance procedures have been followed.

• Extracts details of income, expenditure, assets and liability from accounting system to analyze and verify accuracy and validity.

• Assists with monitoring expenditures to ensure they remain within authorized levels.

• Drafts/prepares memoranda and/or financial cables to UNDP, other UN Agencies and overseas offices.

• Ensures timely Value Added Tax (VAT) reporting to and claiming from the Finnish authorities.

• Coordinates UNU-WIDER monthly, quarterly and biannual closing and the annual closing of accounts.

• Together with HOO and the Operations Manager leads the timely closure of accounts and year end activities.

• Contributes to the preparation and review annual financial statements under IPSAS.

• Prepares comprehensive and accurate draft replies to audit queries in the area of finance.

• Acts as the UNU-WIDER ERP system (Quantum) focal point.

2.       Budget and Fund Management

• Provides finance support to UNU-WIDER’s Partnerships and Programme Support Unit (PPSU) in project budget preparations, analyses, monitoring and fund management activities in the ERP system.

• Assists in preparation of budget planning and performance submissions and finalization of budget performance reports, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures, as well as prepares adjustments (including labour distribution) as necessary.

• Verifies accuracy of input data, ensuring consistency of data in previous allotments to new allotments issued.

• Analyzes accounts, identifies deviations and ensures corrective actions are taken.

3.       Cash management

• Ensures cash management and investment oversight, including review of cash position, cash flow analysis and forecasts.

• Prepares disbursement vouchers to transfer funds between accounts as well as investment to the UNU cash pool.

• Monitors bank balances globally and identifies and annotates bank account movements including identifying contributions.

• Answers queries and investigates any complaints of non-receipt and liaises with banks regarding outstanding items and payment instructions.

• Assists personnel and Certifying Officers and partners regarding queries on payment and deposit-related issues.

• Responsible for any cash payments and related arrangements with the bank and the cash delivery company.

4.       Oversight and Coordination

• Executes financial operations in accordance with UN Financial Regulations and Rules, UNU’s policies, and established UNU operational practices and ensures compliance with internal control requirements.

• Prepares results-oriented workplans for the Finance team in consultation with the Operations Manager.

• Oversees and coordinates the work of the finance team.

• Provides guidance and training to more junior personnel in UNU-WIDER and cooperates with colleagues across the UNU.

• Maintains and keeps up-to-date files on documents/reports/guidelines/policies related to the area of work.

• Drafts or prepares correspondence to respond to enquiries in respect to relevant financial and budget matters.

• Assists with the collection and analysis of financial data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.

• Identifies and implements initiatives to improve workflows; streamlines financial reporting processes to enhance efficiency and productivity; participates in the development and implementation of new financial policies and procedures; assesses the impact of changes and makes recommendations on follow-up activities.

5.       Perform other duties as may be required.

Key performance indicators

• Timely, complete and accurate financial transactions /activities /documentation

• Timely and accurate advice on UN financial rules and regulations

• Timely and regular monitoring of financial resources management system and timely expenditure of financial resources

• Timely and accurate support to budget formulation and audits

Competencies

Values:

• Inclusion — take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity
• Integrity — act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards
• Humility — demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others
• Humanity — act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet

Behaviours:

• Connect and collaborate — build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
• Analyse and plan — seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
• Deliver results with positive impact — hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves • Learn and develop — pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
• Adapt and innovate — demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

Required qualifications and experience

• Completion of secondary education OR Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in finance, accounting or related disciplines.

• A minimum of two (2) years (with master’s degree), four (4) years (with bachelor’s degree), or six (6) years (with secondary education) of relevant working experience in finance or accounting is required.

• A technical certificate or diploma in accounting, finance or related fields is desirable.

• Working knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) or other international accounting standards is desirable.

• Good Excel spreadsheet skills (advanced level), including the use of functions and formulas.

• Ability to conduct analysis on data and ability to use relevant data analytics tools.

• Experience in the handling of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems or other web-based management systems, such as SAP or Oracle etc., is required.  

• Experience of using Quantum or Umoja is an asset.

• Ability to work under minimal supervision and with high level of resilience.

• Fluency in English is required.

• Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

Duration of contract

This is a full-time, fixed-term appointment. The initial appointment will be for one (1) year with the possibility of renewal on a fixed-term appointment basis, subject to satisfactory work performance.

For academic positions, the combined duration of fixed-term appointments with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for United Nations staff is 65 years.