Finance and Accounting Officer Job vacancy at UNOPS

Job Description

Vacancy codeVA/2012/B5307/1228 Position title Finance and Accounting Officer Duty stationAbuja, Nigeria Contract typeInternational ICA Contract levelIICA-2 Duration 3 months Application period02-Oct-2012 to 13-Oct-2012 Print United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity Apply Now Background Information – UNOPS
“UNOPS plays a critical role in providing management services for our life-saving, peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. I have seen many examples of how these activities help suffering people in troubled parts of the world.” -Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General
UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need.
Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, UNOPS vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness.
By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground.
UNOPS employs more than 6000 personnel and on behalf of its partners creates thousands more work opportunities in local communities. With its headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, a network of five regional offices and a further 20 operations and project centres, UNOPS oversees activities in more than 80 countries.
UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce. Background information – AFO
Africa Regional Office
Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, the Africa Regional Office supports UNOPS country offices in the region, providing financial oversight of projects, procuring goods and services and managing human resources. AFO helps ensure that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between projects across the entire region.
Background Information – Job-specific
In Nigeria, UNOPS is currently implementing among other projects, the Niger Delta Job Creation and Conflict Prevention Initiative which aims to mitigate the violence in the Niger Delta through job creation and conflict prevention initiatives to the youth of the surrounding communities and militants groups in the region. The project is jointly funded by SPDC, UNDP and the State Governments. In addition UNOPS is also implementing the Power sector Capacity Building project and a few others.
As a rapid response to the high food prices and food security issues, in December 2008 the EU established the “EU food facility” (EUFF) for a period of 3 years from 2009 to 2012. In this context a regional food facility program entitled “EU-IFAD-ECOWAS Food Facility Program” is being implemented in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Senegal by ECOWAS and IFAD in partnership with ICRISAT. The EU – IFAD – ECOWAS Food Program is focusing on three Components: One of the three, “Component C” is geared towards strengthening the capacity of ECOWAS to support and manage regional mobilizing interventions of the ECOWAS Compact. It comprises an important element concerning information systems for the monitoring of the ECOWAS implementation. Given the need to implement the Component C on schedule, an agreement was signed between UNOPS and ECOWAS; this agreement requires the recruitment of a Finance & Accounting Officer.
Under the overall authority of the UNOPS Country Programme Coordinator and the direct supervision of the program Coordinator (Program Coordination Officer), the incumbent shall assist the PCO in the effective implementation of the activities under the work plan defined in the agreement between UNOPS and ECOWAS. Functional Responsibilities
Under the guidance and supervision of Programme Coordinator, the finance expert will be responsible for supporting the Programme Coordinator in the implementation of the following activities. Financial Reporting a) Make quarterly analysis of accounts b) Prepare & edit monthly financial reports reports and statements of payroll for the month. c) Prepare monthly delivery reports to show the status of delivery for all projects in the operation states. Payments a) Examine all kinds of vouchers and their supporting documents for accuracy & completeness. b)Check validity of charges by verifying authorized amounts and ensure availability of funds. c) Monitor local bank accounts and keep track of balances to ensure that there are sufficient funds; Prepare requests for replenishments. d) Establish the cheques, Statements of payment and transfer orders. Prepare payments of fees, reimbursable costs, salaries and other per diem for staff, colleagues and consultants on mission. e) Maintain cheques. f) Review /examine imprest account statements for compliance with UNOPS guidelines. g) Perform bank reconciliations. Budget Monitoring & Evaluation a) Ensure that all other financial and accounting program management activities are done accordingly. b) Pass all accounting entries & journals c) Edit fact sheets of accounting entries d) Monitor project costs and compare with approved budget; prepare adjustments as necessary. e) Manage the project administrative budget, ensuring regular information and reporting is provided to the program me coordinator, Regional Finance Officer and to program me clients as may be required. f) Keep the Program me Coordinator updated on budget revisions and advise on any discrepancies in charging expenditures against different budget lines. g) Contribute through frequent review/updates of delivery reporting needs as required and actively supports the quality control process on fincial reporting, assist in the preparation of project budgets and revisions, as well as work plans in consultation with the appropriate parties. h) Assist the Program me coordinator to set goals, targets and performance standards for projects and to recommend tools for monitoring and evaluation and auditing.
Competencies
Integrity Professionalism Respect for Diversity Creativity and innovation Commitment to continuous learning Planning and Organizing Results orientation Communications skills Teamwork skills Client orientation Technological awareness Education/Experience/Language requirements
Advance University degree in accounts, finance or similar area focused on accounting and finance. Additional 2 years of relevant work experience, in combination with a relevant Bachelor degree may be accepted in lieu of an Advance degree. A minimum 5 years of proven experience in Accounting and/or finance. Fluency in English and basic knowledge of French. Certifications
A Professional certification in Accounting, ACCA, ICAN or equivalent with 7 years experience may substitute for a master’s degree. Contract type, level and duration
Contract type:IICA Contract level:2 Contract duration:3 Months
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