Associate Finance Officer - (Nationals Only) UNOCHA

UNDP•Panama City, FL

About The Position

The position is in the Crisis Response Division (CRD), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions. This multiple duty station temporary job opening is being advertised for the position of Associate Finance Officer and is in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC). Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office, the incumbent reports to the Head of Humanitarian Financing Unit/Fund Manager. The Humanitarian Fund Units in OCHA Regional and Country Offices manage multi-donor country-based pooled funds under the leadership of the Head of the Humanitarian Financing Unit/Funds Manager. These funds receive unearmarked contributions from donors. The funds are allocated to humanitarian actors for ongoing humanitarian operations and to respond to new emergencies.

Requirements

An advanced university degree (Master’s, or equivalent) in business administration, finance or related field is required or,
A first-level degree (bachelor's degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance or related field with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Master's degree holder, requires at least two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in finance, administration, budget, business administration, or related areas in an international setting is required. For first level degree holders, four (4) years of qualifying experience in finance, administration, budget, business administration or related area in an international setting is required.
Experience in advanced Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Power BI is required.
Experience in data analysis and management is required.
Experience using ERP systems such as SAP is required.
Fluency in English and Spanish is required for this position

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (including peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds and programmes) or similar international organization or non-governmental organization in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable.
Experience in the use and application of IPSAS in a working environment is desirable.
Experience working in a shared service center providing services to national and international clients is desirable.
Basic knowledge of French is desirable

Responsibilities

Ensures Implementation and contributes to development of financial and Project management strategies, and adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:
Develop and maintain country SOPs regarding administrative and financial workflows of humanitarian financing HF in all countries covered by the Humanitarian Financing Unit (HFU).
Ensure financial revision of project applications and project budgets for quality control and compliance with the HF guidelines (including budgetary procedures in line with HF budget review criteria).
Provide guidance on Humanitarian Financing and administrative procedures and guidelines to partners on applications to clarify requirements for accessing grants.
Conduct market cost survey for items commonly purchased under Humanitarian Financing projects.
Ensures the Projects’ financial management of Projects focusing on achievement of the following result:
Review project budgets to determine “normal costs and variations” in project expenditure areas to be determined.
Review requests for project amendments and revisions of projects and provide recommendations to the Head of Humanitarian Financing Unit in particular budgetary aspects.
Ensures proper Control of accounts and Humanitarian Financing reports focusing on achievement of the following results:
Track, collect and review final financial reports from relevant recipient organizations to ensure accuracy and compliance with Humanitarian Financing guidelines and provide feedback to partners.
Liaise with auditors for project audits; review audit reports, communicate audit findings to partners, ensure that comments on the draft audit reports are satisfactorily addressed by implementing partners; finalize final disbursements or requests for refunds; and facilitate project close-out in close coordination with the Head of Humanitarian Financing Unit and the OCHA Administrative Services Branch at the HQ level.
Develop, maintain, and update a database to support cost effectiveness analysis of Humanitarian Financing project proposals.
Prepare and update numerical and narrative reports detailing Humanitarian Financing performance.
Reconcile and coordinate HQ-level records and the Fund’s field records (on project performance and financial data/information) to produce reports and updates.
Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in Humanitarian Financing and support to all stakeholders on financial matters focusing on achievement of the following results:
Support monitoring and evaluation visits to project sites in any country under the Asia and the Pacific Humanitarian Financing Unit if necessary.
Conduct Financial and administrative partner visits as per SOP and Humanitarian Financing Guidelines
Maintain all related files updated and share information with colleagues.
Perform other duties as required by the Head of Humanitarian Financing Unit and the Head of Office.