Finance Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations University (UNU) is a global think tank and postgraduate teaching organization established within the United Nations System. Its mission is to engage in policy-relevant research, capacity development, and knowledge dissemination to further the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Over the past five decades, UNU has been a source of impartial research focusing on sustainability, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">human security, and economic development. With hundreds of researchers operating in 12 countries, UNU's expertise encompasses the full spectrum of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, generating policy-relevant knowledge aimed at fostering positive global change. The organization collaborates closely with other UN entities and leading research institutions worldwide, contributing significantly to addressing pressing global issues.

Job Overview:
The Finance Associate position at UNU-WIDER involves providing essential financial and budgetary services to support the effective and transparent utilization of financial resources. The role requires close collaboration with various operational areas, including programme and project support. The Finance Associate will work under the guidance of the Operations Manager and will be responsible for overseeing the Finance team's activities. This position is crucial for ensuring compliance with UN and UNU regulations and rules, and it plays a key role in maintaining the integrity of financial services. The Finance Associate will also be involved in financial reporting, budget management, cash management, and ensuring adherence to internal control requirements. This role is designed for individuals who are detail-oriented, possess strong analytical skills, and are capable of working independently while managing multiple tasks efficiently.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Associate will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Accounting/Finance: Serving as Approving Officer in the Enterprise Resource Systems, reviewing source documents for accuracy, preparing payments, investigating erroneous charges, reconciling accounts, and ensuring timely VAT reporting.
• Budget and Fund Management: Providing finance support for project budget preparations, analyzing variances between budgets and actual expenditures, and assisting in budget planning and performance submissions.
• Cash Management: Overseeing cash management and investment oversight, preparing disbursement vouchers, monitoring bank balances, and addressing payment-related queries.
• Oversight and Coordination: Executing financial operations in accordance with UN regulations, preparing workplans for the Finance team, providing guidance to junior personnel, and streamlining financial reporting processes.
• Performing other duties as assigned by the supervisor, ensuring timely and accurate financial transactions and compliance with UN financial rules.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of two years of relevant working experience in finance or accounting (four years with a bachelor's degree, or six years with secondary education). A technical certificate or diploma in accounting or finance is desirable. Candidates should have a working knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) or other international accounting standards, advanced Excel skills, and experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. The ability to conduct data analysis and use relevant data analytics tools is essential, along with the capability to work under minimal supervision and demonstrate resilience.

Educational Background:
The educational requirements for this position include completion of secondary education or a bachelor's or master's degree in finance, accounting, or related disciplines. Candidates with relevant certifications or diplomas in accounting or finance will be given preference.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of two years of relevant experience in finance or accounting, with the experience requirement increasing based on the level of education. Specifically, candidates with a master's degree should have at least two years, those with a bachelor's degree should have four years, and those with only secondary education should have six years of relevant experience.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another UN official working language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's profile and ability to communicate effectively in a diverse work environment.

Additional Notes:
This is a full-time, fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of one year, subject to satisfactory performance and the possibility of renewal. The position is locally recruited, meaning no relocation expenses or allowances will be provided. Candidates must have Finnish nationality or the necessary residence/work permits for Finland, or have the right of residence in Finland as an EU/EFTA citizen. The expected start date is as soon as possible, and the application deadline is set for 16 November 2025, with submissions required by 23:59 UTC+

• UNU offers a competitive, tax-exempt compensation package, including an annual net salary, 30 days of annual leave, dependency benefits, a pension plan, and health insurance.