Finance and Programme Associate Consultant (Home based)

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security

The work of UN Women’s Ending Violence against Women (EVAW) Section is focused on a comprehensive approach to ending violence against women that addresses legislation and policies, prevention, services for survivors, research and data, creating safe public spaces in different settings and strengthening women’s rights movements to end violence against women. In this context UN Women together with the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women is implementing the ACT to end Violence against Women and Girls Programme, funded by the European Union to strengthen women’s rights movements, coalition building and advocacy to end gender-based violence against women and girls

Under the supervision of the Programme Management Specialist and a matrix supervision by the Regional Coordinator, EVAW, The Finance and Programme Associate is responsible for promoting a client-oriented approach consistent with UN Women rules and regulations, standard practices and guidelines. The post holder will be part of the Global and the East and Southern Africa Regional Office teams, as well as collaborate closely with the Regional Programme Coordinators and Programme Associates who are located in Panama, and Senegal and the UN Trust Fund ACT Programme team. The postholder will also collaborate closely with the operations Team in Nairobi and the EU Financial Specialist located in Brussels, and the HQ Finance and Budget Teams for solving complex finance or budget-related issues and delivering information to ensure successful implementation, monitoring and reporting of the ACT to end violence against women programme

Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work

Implement financial strategies for the effective and timely delivery of the HQ EVAW Programme, in full compliance of UN Women rules, regulations, policies, and recording and reporting systems

• Perform duties in full compliance with UN Women financial regulations and rules, policies and standard operating procedures, including internal controls
• Review and verify financial transactions, activities, and documentation; taking corrective actions as needed and reporting any unusual activities
• Monitor financial exceptions reports for unusual activities or transaction, investigate anomalies and report to the supervisor conclusions and/or present recommendations for actions/decisions
• Draft reports on financial status, procedures, exchange rates, costs and expenditures
• Follow-up on audit recommendations to monitor implementation of corrective actions
• Collect, verify and present information and data for use in the planning of financial resources and the revision of the global and regional programme work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements and execution modalities
• Assist in Annual Work Plan entry in Performance & Results Integrated System for Management (PRISM) as required
• Provide advice and recommend solutions to a wide range of financial issues experienced by the global and regional programme staff
• Monitor the proper functioning of the financial resources management system for programmatic budgets and resources
• Implement cost-saving and reduction strategies

Monitor programmatic budget for the global component and for the ESARO regional component of the EVAW Programme in full compliance with UN Women rules, regulations, policies, and recording and reporting systems

• Monitor the budget, control allotments, expenditures, and prepare revisions according to the needs of the project teams
• Track the appropriate and timely use of financial resources
• Prepare cost recovery documents or bills for the services provided by UN Women to other programmes or organizations
• Implement and maintain control mechanisms for development projects through monitoring budgets preparation and modifications and budgetary status
• Maintain internal expenditure control system
• Undertake corrective actions on un-posted invoices with budget check errors, match exceptions and unapproved Invoices. Respond to RO /HQ requests to resolve financial data issues
• Prepare VAT reimbursements with adequate documentation support
• Input data in QUANTUM and monitor status. Keep stakeholders and clients informed for timely action and/or decisions
  • Manage petty cash fund, cash impress level
  • Prepare budget revisions, revise project awards and status; and determine unutilized funds and the operational and financial close of a project
  • Prepare financial reports for global component and the ESARO regional component of programme and consolidate report for all components of programme
  • Maintain internal expenditures control system

Provide administrative and logistical support to the formulation and management of programmes and the financial management of the Global Component and the ESARO regional component of the Programme

• Provide administrative support in the preparation of programme work plans, budgets, and proposals on programme implementation arrangements
• Provide technical guidance to the executing agencies on routine delivery and reporting of programme-supported activities and finances
• Prepare information for the audit of programmes/ projects and support implementation of audit recommendations
  • Provide administrative support in monitoring budget preparation and the finances of programmes/projects including the finalization of FACE forms
  • Create requisitions in QUANTUM for development projects; register good receipts in QUANTUM
  • Prepare non-PO Invoices for the global component and the ESARO regional component of the programme
  • Process payment for consultants
• Support undertaking all logistical, administrative and financial arrangements for organization for meetings, workshops, events, and missions
• Make travel arrangements for the Programme Team, including travel requisitions and claims
• Provide guidance and training to Regional Programme Assistants and civil society partners as needed for the implementation of programmes, the preparation of financial reports as per partner agreement or small grants agreement
• Provide administrative support to resource mobilization

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is a home-based consultancy

III. Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Core Values and Competencies https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process#_Values

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES:

• Strong knowledge of financial rules and regulations and accounting principles
• Strong knowledge and application skills of IT tools and understanding of management systems
• Strong knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages
• Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems
• Ability to administer and execute financial and accounting processes and transactions

IV. Required Qualifications

Education and Certification:

• Completion of secondary education is required
• Specialized national or international certification in accounting and finance is an asset
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting is an asset
• Successful completion of UN Women Accounting and Finance Test is an asset

Experience:

• At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in finance
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems
• Experience in the use of a modern web-based ERP System, preferably Oracle Cloud, is required
• Experience with EU funded projects is desirable

• Experience of supporting a programme on ending violence against women/gender equality is desirable

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required
• Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is desirable

Statements

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.