Country: Myanmar
Closing date: 27 Jan 2016
DISCLAIMER: The screening of your application will be conducted based on the information in your profile. Before applying, we strongly suggest that you review your profile to ensure completeness, especially the education and experience sections.
Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.
Details
Vacancy code : VA/2016/B5506/9323
Position title : Financial Management Officer
Level : ICS-12
Department/office : AR, MMOH, Myanmar
Duty station : Yangon, Myanmar
Contract type : International ICA
Contract level : IICA-3
Duration : One year (renewable, subject to performance and budget availability)
Application period : 14-Jan-2016 to 27-Jan-2016
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Background Information – UNOPS
UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.
Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’expectations.
With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.
A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.
Background Information - Myanmar
The UNOPS Myanmar under the UNOPS Asia Regional Office has been established to better support, develop and oversee the UNOPS portfolio of programmes and projects in Myanmar with focus on health programmes and livelihoods and rural development. UNOPS Myanmar ensures that synergies between projects are effectively developed.
The UNOPS Myanmar portfolio currently comprises several programmes and projects, including fund management of the multi-donor Three Millennium Development Goals Fund and the Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund. In addition, UNOPS is the Principal Recipient of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria grants to Myanmar. UNOPS Myanmar has also been designated as Principal Recipient of the GFATM for a Regional Malaria Grant (Regional Artemisinin Initiative) covering 5 countries- Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. UNOPS is also expanding its infrastructure and procurement services in Myanmar, including advisory services in these areas.
UNOPS Myanmar plays a critical role in ensuring quality services to UNOPS partners that meet stringent requirements of speed, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. It is also responsible for liaison with government counterparts, donors, and UN Agencies.
Background Information - Job-specific
The Financial Management Officer will work under the overall supervision and guidance of the Head of Support 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.
Functional Responsibilities
Under the guidance and supervision of the Head of Support the Financial Management Officer is responsible for effective delivery of financial services, transparent utilization of financial resources. He/she analyzes and interprets the financial rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues. The Financial Management Officer promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations and shall focus on the following results outlined below:
Effective and accurate financial resources management and oversight:
· Elaboration on proposals for planning of financial resources of the OH, 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 Regional Office or Operations/OH management
· Proper planning, expenditure tracking and audit of financial resources, in accordance with UNOPS financial rules and regulations.
· Organization and oversight of OH cash management processes, including liquidity management, management of Global Fund PR Managed Cash-flow mechanisms, 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 ORD 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.
· Management and supervision of the MMOH Finance Unit comprising around 60 personnel.
Implementation of operational strategies and procedures:
· 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.
Timely budget preparation and effective monitoring and control:
· 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
· 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.
· 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
Operations Centre cash management and treasury functions:
· Management of Global Fund PR Managed Cash-flow mechanisms.
· Timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements; identification and recording of receipts for income application.
· Daily review of bank statements in UNOPS’ ERP system to monitor cash levels; and for the identification and recording of receipts.
· Establishment of efficient local banking arrangements and compliance with local financial and banking regulations.
· Establishment and maintenance of local fund flow mechanisms for implementing partners and sub-recipients.
· Building of project capacity to effect payments using UNOPS’ ERP system.
· Monitoring of the delivery and income of the portfolio; planning and adjustment of expenditures for the administrative budget
· Discussion and communication with the Portfolio Specialist the savings or potential concerns that may require further review.
· Analysis of trends and forecasting of income from projects and other sources.
Control of accounts and payments:
· 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 UNOPS’ ERP system; payrolls are duly prepared; 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 RO & HQ 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 Headquarters;
· 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 Receivables for UNOPS projects and follow-up with partners on contributions, deposits creation in UNOPS’ ERP system and their application to AR pending items.
Support to knowledge building and knowledge sharing:
· 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.
Monitoring and Progress Controls
· Effective and accurate financial resources management and oversight.
· Full compliance with Financial Regulations and Rules through implementation efficient operational strategies and procedures.
· Timely budget preparation and effective budget monitoring and control.
· Efficient cash management and oversight, including efficient execution and monitoring of local fund flow mechanisms.
· Efficient expenditure control and timely reconciliation of accounts.
· Timely financial reporting, including Donor reporting.
· In-country capacity building through training and knowledge-sharing.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education
· Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Finance, and Accounting or related discipline is required. Or a Bachelor’s Degree in combination of additional two years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of Master’s Degree.
· Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent highly desirable.
Work Experience
· At least 7 years progressively responsible, job related experience in finance with great independence and decision-making authority and experience in managing finance units with a large number of personnel is required.
· At least 5 years of experience in dealing with large financial systems and budgets is required
· Experience in multi-donor and multi-agency accounting, budgeting and auditing is highly desirable.
· Knowledge of International Accounting and financial reporting standards. Knowledge of UN and UNOPS financial regulations and rules as well as procurement procedures would be an asset.
· Ability to handle multi-dimensional financial portfolio in challenging and complex environments would be grate advantage.
· Proven experience in preparing timely and accurate quarterly and yearly financial reports would be grate asset.
· Knowledge of standard procedures and experience in responding to audit queries is essential
· Proven experience in a wide spectrum of operation-oriented financial management, including financial forecasting for project acquisition, budgeting, and project monitoring if highly desirable.
· Demonstrated ability to conduct financial and budget analysis and to apply basic cost accounting principles and practices would be significant asset.
· Good knowledge of financial management systems
· Proficient computer skills especially Microsoft applications with mastery in Excel is required.
· Familiarity with UN Financial rules and regulations an advantage.
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Language **
· Fluency in oral and written English required. Knowledge of a second UN language an asset.
Competencies
· Proven conceptual analytical and evaluative skills and ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identifying issues, formulating options and making conclusions and recommendations. A complete in-depth grasp of financial principles and practices.
· Knowledge of project management, especially with regard to project start-ups, highly desirable.
· Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan and those under his/her supervision.
· Solid computer skills including proficiency in Excel. Knowledge of other software applications (such as databases) and ERP would be desirable.
· Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the area.
· Willingness to travel in area of responsibility, including to hazardous duty stations.
· Proven ability to write in a clear concise manner and to communicate effectively orally. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with financial counterparts and substantive offices. Ability to communicate technical financial matters in a simple and clear manner to individuals not well-versed in the intricacies of financial management.
· Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
· Strong management and supervision skills.
Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: IICA 3
Contract duration: One year (possible extension)
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
Additional Considerations
· Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
· 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.
· For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
· The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
How to apply:
DISCLAIMER: The screening of your application will be conducted based on the information in your profile. Before applying, we strongly suggest that you review your profile to ensure completeness, especially the education and experience sections.
Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. e