Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Country Office in Pakistan (COPAK) with duty station in Islamabad, Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The Assistant Finance Officer will report to the Finance and Oversight Officer under the guidance and supervision of the UNODC Country Representative, COPAK.

For more information on UNODC, please visit the website www.unodc.org

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the Assistant Finance Officer will support the finance unit in the area of financial, budgetary and accounting management in conformity with applicable Financial Rules and Regulations and implement financial processes/actions via SAP/UMOJA. The incumbent will work in coordination with the Financial Resource Management Services (FRMS) at headquarters Vienna ensuring accuracy and compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), UNODC Financial Regulations and Rules, policies, procedures, guidelines, standards of accountability, and ethics. The incumbent will be responsible for the following specific duties:

• Assist the finance unit in the implementation of operational and financial management strategies and processes in UMOJA in coordination with headquarters Vienna.
• Assist in ensuring smooth running of COPAK operations, complete compliance with UN/UNODC rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, reporting system and follow up on audit recommendations on the implementation of effective internal controls as per COPAK needs.
• Assist in finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures.
• Create all vendor invoices in accordance with the terms and conditions of contracts and purchase orders.
• Assist with ‘receivables monitoring’ to ensure payments are executed/offset against approved grants.
• Review and monitor funds pre-commitment and commitments against authorized budgets and the necessary approvals.
• Review and follow up for closing of open purchase orders, travel claims and fund commitments.
• Provide support in year-end closing processes as per guidelines issued by UNOV/UNODC-FRMS.
• Provide support in trouble shooting UMOJA technical problems, coordinate with FRMS at HQ and facilitate for solution.
• Assist in reporting on financial progress to donors and government counterparts and assist with Financial Management Reports in Business Intelligence.
• Coordinate with FRMS and House bank for transfer of funds and resolve queries and disbursement.
• Handle reconciliation of monthly payroll and non-payroll eIOVs received from UNDP.
• Assist with the implementation and data accuracy in BoS (Business Operations Strategy) for UNODC Pakistan.
• Assist with day-to-day financial management and smooth running of operations.
• Assist with initiating requests for release and non-release of grants budgets.
• Provide support in creating project structures in UMOJA and release of WBSEs in IPMR.
• Facilitate preparation and drafting of financial proposals for donors.
• Assist in monitoring budgets of projects and coordinate with subprogramme teams and advice on effective use of resources.
• Assist in post-implementation data clean up and validation of UMOJA financial data for donor reporting.
• Assist finance unit in the management and implementation of full cost recovery in coordination with HQ.
• Assist in the management of Travel and User Access Provisioning in UMOJA.
• Provide support with payment and reconciliation of ticket invoices to Travel Agents or Travel Payments to Service Contractor.
• Contribute to the collection and analysis of data and identification of trends or patterns and provide draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Document requirements and background information used for data analysis.
• Perform other work-related duties, as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to budgetary, finance and accounting management and administration related fields. Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the delivery of technical assistance in post-conflict settings. Has knowledge of the relevant mandates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and very good research and analytical skills. Is able to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues. Has knowledge of various research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Has ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Has good analytical, planning, and organizational skills. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

A first level university degree in finance/accounting, business management, social/public sciences or related field is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of relevant experience at the national or international level in financial management and/or accounting is required.

Work experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, and web-based management systems is required.

Work experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is required.

Work experience with SAP/UMOJA or the UN talent management system Inspira, is desirable.

Work experience in the management of the project budgets, grant management handling large volume budgets is desirable.

Work experience in the area of financial management and implementation of full cost recovery is desirable.

Work experience within the United Nations system or similar international organizations is desirable.

Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nation Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Urdu (national language) is desirable. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.