Finance Associate

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The organization was created as part of the UN reform agenda, merging resources and mandates from four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The organization has been active in Afghanistan for two decades, addressing the unique vulnerabilities faced by Afghan women and girls amidst the country's complex humanitarian crisis. UN Women Afghanistan focuses on four key program priorities: Gender in Humanitarian Action, Ending Violence Against Women, Women’s Economic Empowerment, and Women, Peace and Security. The organization employs a client-oriented approach and is committed to supporting Afghan women and girls, ensuring their voices are central to the global response to the crisis in Afghanistan.

Job Overview:
The Finance Associate position at UN Women involves executing a wide range of financial services and administrative processes within the Afghanistan Country Office (ACO). The role requires ensuring the timely, efficient, and transparent use of financial resources in accordance with organizational financial rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. The Finance Associate will work closely with the Operations Team and collaborate with both the Operations and Programme teams to address complex finance-related issues. The position demands a proactive approach to financial management, including the implementation of financial strategies, compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), and the monitoring of financial transactions and documentation. The Finance Associate will also be responsible for preparing and administering budgets, providing financial support to program and operations teams, and facilitating knowledge sharing and capacity building within the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Associate will be responsible for implementing financial strategies and ensuring compliance with UN Women rules and regulations. Key duties include reviewing and verifying financial transactions, monitoring financial exceptions, collecting and presenting data for financial planning, assisting in annual work plan entries, and providing advice on financial issues. The role also involves preparing and administering ACO budgets, tracking expenditures, creating projects in Quantum, maintaining internal expenditure control systems, and managing petty cash funds. Additionally, the Finance Associate will support program and operations teams by reviewing accounts receivables, preparing vouchers, monitoring budget setups, and ensuring timely financial project closures. The position requires active participation in audits, follow-up on audit recommendations, and providing administrative support for resource mobilization efforts.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have completed secondary education, with specialized national or international certification in accounting and finance being desirable. A Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting is also desirable. Successful completion of the UN Women Accounting and Finance Test is preferred as part of the selection process. The role requires at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in finance, proficiency in office software packages, and experience with web-based management systems. Familiarity with modern web-based ERP systems, particularly Oracle Cloud, is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Finance Associate position includes completion of secondary education as a minimum requirement. Specialized certification in accounting and finance is desirable, while a Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting is preferred. Candidates should also have successfully completed the UN Women Accounting and Finance Test as part of the selection process.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in finance. Candidates should have experience in using computers and office software packages, including MS Word and Excel, as well as experience with spreadsheet and database packages. Familiarity with web-based management systems is essential, and experience with modern web-based ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English, Dari, and Pashto is required for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is considered desirable and may enhance a candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
The Finance Associate position is a full-time role based in Kabul, Afghanistan. The recruitment process is open to both national and international candidates. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and adheres to a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations. Selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form are completed to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.