Financial Management Officer
 UNOPS
 Location: New Delhi
 

UNOPS helps its partners in the United Nations system meet the world’s needs for building peace, recovering from disaster, and creating sustainable development. UNOPS is known for its ability to implement complex projects in all types of environments around the globe. In an effort to promote organizational excellence, UNOPS seeks highly qualified individuals for the following position:

Vacancy Details

Vacancy Code   2010/APO/INOC/FTA/VA025
Post Title   Financial Management Officer

Post Level ICS-10 (NO-C), Fixed-Term Appointment - (local position)*
Org Unit UNOPS Asia and the Pacific Office (APO)

Duty Station New Delhi, INDIA

Duration One (1) year, renewable

Closing Date 30 May 2010

Background

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Support Services, India Operations Centre (INOC), the Financial Management Officer is responsible for efficient financial resources management and the provision of accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial information, effective delivery of financial services, transparent utilization of financial resources and management of the Finance Practices for all projects under India Operations Centre, New Delhi, India. He/she analyzes and interprets the financial regulations and rules and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues. The Financial Management Officer promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations.

The Financial Management Officer supervises and leads support staff of the Finance Unit and works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations, and project teams in the Operations Centre, Regional Office in Bangkok, UNOPS HQ staff and Government officials ensuring successful delivery of financial services.

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Support Services, India Operations Centre (INOC), the Financial Management Officer is responsible for efficient financial resources management and the provision of accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial information, effective delivery of financial services, transparent utilization of financial resources and management of the Finance Practices for all projects under India Operations Centre, New Delhi, India. He/she analyzes and interprets the financial regulations and rules and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues. The Financial Management Officer promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations.

The Financial Management Officer supervises and leads support staff of the Finance Unit and works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations, and project teams in the Operations Centre, Regional Office in Bangkok, UNOPS HQ staff and Government officials ensuring successful delivery of financial services.

Summary of Key Functions:

 Effective and accurate financial resources management and oversight
 Implementation of operational strategies and procedures
 Projects budgets management and organization of an optimal cost-recovery system
 Operations Centre payment management, cash management and treasury related tasks
 Control of Operations Centre accounts
 Facilitation of knowledge building and sharing

1. Ensure effective and accurate financial resources management and oversight, focusing on achievement of the following results:

 Elaboration of proposals for planning of financial resources of the Operations Centre, continuous analysis and monitoring of the financial situation and presentation of forecasts for development and management projects; provision of high-quality professional advice to the Operations Centre management
 Proper planning, expenditure tracking and audit of financial resources, in accordance with UNOPS financial regulations and rules.
 Organization and oversight of Operations Centre payment management and cash management processes, including liquidity management, risk assessment, bank relationship management, timely accounting and reconciliation of all transactions, security for cash assets on site.
 Monitoring of financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions and investigation of anomalies or unusual transactions. Provision of information to supervisors and other UNOPS staff at RO and HQ on the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.
 Identification of problems in financial and administrative areas, suggesting alternative solutions to resolve issues in compliance with broader UNOPS policies, rules and procedures.

2. Ensure implementation of operational strategies and procedures, focusing on achievement of the following results:

 Full compliance of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and audit follow up with UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies; implementation of effective internal control, proper design and functioning of the financial resources management system.
 Elaboration/establishment of internal standard operating procedures and control of the workflows in the Finance Unit.
 Elaboration and implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies
 Up-to-date on policy developments on UNOPS financial management issues.

3. Ensures timely budget preparation and effective monitoring and control, focusing on achievement of the following results:

 Coordination of the preparation of the field operating budget; review of budget submissions, regular analysis and reporting on the budget approvals and the delivery situation; monitoring of expenditures against budget allotments and reporting on variances.
 Coordination with the Portfolio Manager to ensure compliance with UNOPS financial regulations and rules, financial policies and procedures and that project budgets and revisions are prepared in accordance with established procedures and budgetary guidelines of the funding agency; ensure that project budget re-phasing are processed accurately and in a timely manner.
 Identification of administrative budgetary requirements; provision of guidance on guidelines for budget preparation, the format to be used in reflecting budget proposals and the procedures for submission to facilitate consolidation at the global level.
 Review, analysis and revision of data with respect to the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements submitted by project managers; review of budget proposals for reasonableness, consistency with the organizational goals and priorities.
 Monitoring and advice the Operation Centre Director on the financial status of projects and programmes (including pending and approved budgets; contributions confirmed but not yet available for expenditure; contributions available for expenditure and contributions already expended).
 Monitoring of budget implementation, expenditure levels against allotments and determination/recommendation of reallocation of funds when necessary
 Status of budgetary allocations monitored on an ongoing basis; networking with clients to strengthen budget management and take corrective actions when required.
 Collaboration in the improvement of the UNOPS Project Budget formulation system, with the cooperation of the Information Technology group, ensuring relevance of system at all times by updating and proposing change to facilitate financial management of project and enhance financial reporting.
 Timely financial reports for submission to the funding agency in accordance with UNOPS rules, and in line with the established procedures.
 Review and appropriate recommendations with respect to the finalization of budget performance reports, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures
 Review and update of guidelines, procedures in light of changing circumstances or for the purpose of complying, streamlining and/or strengthening of existing financial and budgetary procedures.

4. Ensures proper Operations Centre cash management and treasury functions, including management of the payment function, focusing on achievement of the following results:

 Timely payment of vendors.
 Timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements; identification and recording of receipts for income application.
 Establishment of efficient local banking arrangements and compliance with local financial and banking regulations.
 Building of project capacity to effect payments using ATLAS bank accounts.
 Monitoring of the delivery and income of the portfolio; planning and adjustment of expenditures for the administrative budget.
 Discussion and communication with the Portfolio Manager the savings or potential concerns that may require further review.
 Analysis of trends and forecasting of income from projects and other sources.

5. Ensures proper control of Operations Centre accounts and payments, focusing on achievement of the following results:

 Analysis and elaboration of proposals for the internal expenditures’ control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in ATLAS; payrolls are duly prepared; supplier payments, travel claims and other entitlements are duly processed.
 Quality control of the account by performing ongoing review, analysis and reconciliation of accounts. Investigation of discrepancies and initiation of timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers. Timely response to HQ and RO requests to resolve financial data issues.
 Control of the Accounts Receivables for UNOPS projects and follow up with partners on contributions, maintenance of the General Ledger.
 Ensuring proper maintenance of the field financial accounts; preparation of financial records, statements and reports as required or approval of the work of subordinates; coordination of field replies to internal and external audit queries.
 Ensuring proper receipt, management, safeguarding and disbursement of payments handled by the field; review, modification, initiation and implementation of internal control procedures in coordination with Headquarter.
• Proper control of the supporting documents for payments; preparation of all types of vouchers; Pay Cycle and payments execution.
 Ensuring proper maintenance of the Accounts Payables and Receivables for UNOPS projects and follow-up with partners on contributions, deposits creation in ATLAS and their application to AR pending items.

6. Provides support to knowledge building and knowledge sharing, focusing on achievement of the following results:

 Organization and conduct of training for the operations/ projects staff on Finance.
 Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in Finance.
 Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
 Provide technical guidance and on the job training to ensure work standards are achieved, both in terms of quantity/quality of input/output processed.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall Operations Centre efficiency in financial resources management and success in introduction and implementation of operational strategies. Accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial information, timely and appropriate delivery of services ensure client satisfaction and enhance UNOPS credibility in use of financial resources.


Required Selection Criteria

Competencies

UNOPS Core Values/Competencies

 Integrity
 Professionalism
 Respect for diversity
 Creativity and innovation
 Commitment to continuous Learning
 Accountability
 Planning and organization skills
 Results orientation
 Strong oral and written communication skills
 Teamwork skills
 Client orientation
 Technological awareness

Functional Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning

 Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
 Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

 Ability to provide analytical inputs to strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
 Ability to make the analysis of requirements and parameters provided in support of financial processes in the Regional Office or Operations Centre
 Ability to formulate and manage budgets, contributions and investments, and transactions; conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost recovery
 Ability to successfully lead the Finance Team
 Excellent IT skills, knowledge of Atlas
 Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change

Management and Leadership

 Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
 Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
 Keen sense of ethics and integrity in dealing with clients and service providers and demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with counterparts and clients
 Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Education/Experience/Language

 Masters degree or equivalent in Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics or certified Chartered Accountant or related field. A first-level university degree, in same disciplines, in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
 Minimum five years progressively responsible professional accounting experience with responsibility for project accounting and preparation of financial statements in a highly computerized environment with a Master degree or minimum seven years of experience with Bachelor degree.
 Knowledge of UNOPS financial regulations and rules; working knowledge of ATLAS (PeopleSoft) and experience with MS Office 2003 and/or newer versions.
 Fluency in written and oral English and Hindi is required. Knowledge of second UN working language desirable.

Submission of Applications

Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) (available on our website), to Ms. Prapapan Bualek, Human Resources Associate, via e-mail to vacanciesBKK@unops.org. Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line when applying by email.

* Please note that this is a local post and is open to all nationals of India and to individuals who have a valid work permit to work in India.

Additional Considerations

- Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
- Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.

For more information on UNOPS, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org.