Finance Associate

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women, established in July 2010, is dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. It was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact. UN Women merges the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization operates in multiple countries, including Afghanistan, where it has been active for two decades, addressing the unique vulnerabilities faced by Afghan women and girls amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis. UN Women aims to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower them, and achieve equality between genders as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The organization currently prioritizes four key programs: Gender in Humanitarian Action, Ending Violence Against Women, Women’s Economic Empowerment, and Women, Peace and Security.

Job Overview:
The Finance Associate plays a crucial role in the Afghanistan Country Office (ACO) by executing a wide range of financial services and administrative processes. This position requires adherence to UN Women’s financial rules, regulations, and policies, ensuring the efficient and transparent use of financial resources. The Finance Associate will work closely with the Operations Team and other program teams to address complex finance-related issues and facilitate information delivery. The role involves implementing financial strategies, monitoring financial transactions, and ensuring compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). The Finance Associate will also assist in budget formulation, track expenditures, and prepare financial reports, contributing to the overall financial health of the ACO.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Associate is responsible for implementing financial strategies and ensuring compliance with UN Women’s financial regulations. Key duties include reviewing and verifying financial transactions, monitoring financial exceptions, and providing assistance in the planning of financial resources. The role involves preparing and administering budgets, tracking expenditures, and ensuring timely use of financial resources. The Finance Associate will also prepare cost recovery documents, manage petty cash funds, and assist project managers with budget re-phrasal. Additionally, the Finance Associate will provide finance support to program and operations teams, review accounts receivables, and monitor financial status. The position requires participation in internal and external audits, promoting a client-oriented finance service, and facilitating knowledge sharing through training and capacity building activities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have a completion of secondary education as a minimum requirement. Specialized national or international certification in accounting and finance is desirable, while a Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting is preferred. Successful completion of the UN Women Accounting and Finance Test is also desirable as part of the selection process. Candidates should possess excellent knowledge of financial rules and regulations, accounting principles, and IT tools, along with the ability to administer financial processes effectively.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a completion of secondary education as a minimum. A specialized certification in accounting and finance is desirable, and a Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting is preferred. Candidates should also have completed the UN Women Accounting and Finance Test as part of the selection process, which demonstrates their proficiency in financial management.

Experience:
Candidates must have at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in finance. This experience should include proficiency in using computers and office software packages, such as MS Word and Excel, as well as experience with web-based management systems. Familiarity with modern web-based ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud, is also desirable, indicating a strong background in financial management and reporting.

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, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a diverse work environment.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and is based in Kabul, Afghanistan. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, and all employment decisions are made based on qualifications, competence, integrity, and organizational needs. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct incompatible with its aims, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and discrimination. 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.