The Position:
The Finance Assistant post is located in the UNFPA Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (RO) in Istanbul. The incumbent will be part of the operations team and will work under the direct supervision of the International Operations Manager (IOM) and in close cooperation with the Finance Associate. S/He takes a client-oriented, results-focused approach to deliver quality financial services in adherence to relevant policies and standards established by UNFPA and apply finance-related guidelines, processes and procedures to the UNFPA EECARO activities.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2022-2025), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
Main Tasks & Responsibilities
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Job Purpose:
In support of UNFPA’s strategic direction at the regional level, the Finance Assistant contributes to building regional capacity and ensuring effective and efficient application of core and non-core resources through providing quality support to recording and reporting of accurate and reliable financial data and information in a timely manner with required quality checks, in line with UNFPA guidelines and procedures.
The Finance Assistant would be responsible for:
Assisting Finance Associate in performing of financial services
- Plan, organize and manage own workload to ensure your contribution to the regional office financial reporting process is achieved in a timely and accurate manner;
- Contribute to preparation of programme and operating budgets.
- Ensure swift processing of financial transactions, including payments to vendors, claims, cost recovery, billing, overtime payments.
- Share payment advices with all vendors and conduct regular invoice reconciliation with vendors and account balance with UNDP, bring any differences to the attention of the Finance Associate for timely follow up actions
- Liaise with UNDP to verify that financial transactions are made on time including the refund of money deposited in UNDP account; and ensure accuracy of computation, chart of accounts and attachment of required documents.
- Ensure effective financial reporting system, including contributing to preparation and submission of monthly, quarterly accountability checklists and year-end certifications and reporting in an accurate and timely manner
- Assist IOM and FA in implementation of audit recommendations and improvement of overall office compliance and accountability, including assessment and implementation of operation risks and fraud mitigation in line with enterprise risk management framework.
- Act as ERP focal person and perform finance user functions, carry out capacity building activities for regional office staff and projects
- Handle finance and banking related matters for the office operations, and answer related queries.
- Act as custodian of petty cash with the responsibility of ensuring full compliance with UNFPA’s Petty Cash Policy;
Assisting Finance Associate in providing financial support to programme implementation:
- Ensure that financial transactions for EECARO programme and projects, including advances of funds to implementing partners, are processed in an accurate and timely way and in accordance with relevant policies and procedures.
- Ensure that financial resources are spent in compliance with donor requirements and timeframe of the project, and maintain up-to-date database of such requirements for each donor of the RO. Draft accurate donor financial report in collaboration with programme team, as required by donors, assist in reparation and undergoing of donor verification missions.
- Participate in HACT spot checks and also carry out reconciliation of Support Costs paid to IPs to ensure compliance with guidelines and identify inclusion of indirect costs in IP expenditure reports.
- Assist in review and assessment of reported amounts on FACE forms (Funding authorization and certificate of expenditures), cash advances, follow up on aged OFA (Operating Fund Accounts), conduct necessary reconciliations.
- Assist in reviewing the Implementing Partners internal controls with respect to financial management, procurement and/or other controls required to implement the activities defined in the work plan.
- Assist in strengthening the performance of administrative and financial staff of implementing partners through periodic on-site one-on-one training as well as group training.
Assisting Finance Associate in efficient travel processing
- Collect, calculate and process financial travel claims (F10s) in a timely and accurate manner; Effectively process payments to travel agency, advances and reimbursements to travelers. Conduct monthly reconciliation of balances with the Travel agent.
- Conduct travel advance and travel claim reconciliation on regular basis and ensure effective follow up with relevant parties.
- Maintain accurate office travel records, compile reports and trend analysis.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Qualifications and Experience
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Education:
- Completed Secondary Level Education required.
- First level university degree or certification in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration is desirable.
Knowledge and Experience:
- Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in finance, accounting.
- Proven experience and track record in successfully managing and implementing financial policies, processes and systems in development organizations or private sector.
- Working knowledge of IPSAS or international accounting standards and principles. Proficiency in current Microsoft Office applications (especially Microsoft Excel and Word). Experience in using ERP system (e.g. PeopleSoft, Oracle, SAP) or similar computerized applications.
- Ability to produce analytical reports and write clearly and concisely.
- Working experience with UN organization is desirable.
Languages:
- Fluency in English and Turkish is required.
Required Competencies
Values:
- Exemplifying integrity
- Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system Embracing diversity in all its forms
- Embracing change
Core Competencies:
- Achieving results
- Being accountable
- Thinking analytically and strategically
- Working in teams/ managing ourselves and our relationships Communicating for impact
- Commitment to excellence
Functional Competencies:
- Managing the organization’s financial resources
- Implementing management systems
- Fraud and operational risks management
- Business acumen and ability to multi-task and balance competing priorities. Innovation and marketing of new approaches.
- Pro-activeness and client orientation.
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Compensation and Benefits
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary, health insurance and other benefits as applicable.
Only individuals with residency and right to work in Turkey may be considered as eligible for further consideration. If you are not a citizen, kindly confirm your status in Turkey in your motivation statement.
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Application Process:
Interested applicants should submit their applications here by 13 February 2022. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and invited for further interviews/assessments.
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Disclaimer
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm.
