Finance Associate

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment. It merges the resources and mandates of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, namely DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW, and UNIFEM. The organization is dedicated to eliminating discrimination against women and girls, empowering women, and achieving 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. UN Women operates globally, with a presence in multiple countries, focusing on various initiatives to promote gender equality and women's rights.

Job Overview:
The Finance Associate plays a crucial role in the UN Women West & Central Africa Regional Office, executing a wide range of financial services and administrative processes. This position is responsible for ensuring the timely, efficient, and transparent use of financial resources in accordance with the organization's financial rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. The Finance Associate will work closely with the Regional Office and Headquarters operations team to resolve complex financial and reporting issues, promoting a client-oriented approach. The role involves implementing financial strategies, adapting processes, and ensuring compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). The Finance Associate will also be involved in financial planning, budgeting, and providing financial support to program and operations teams, ensuring that financial resources are managed effectively and efficiently.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Associate's duties include implementing financial strategies and adapting processes for expenditure recording and financial reporting. They must ensure compliance with UN Women's financial rules and regulations, review and verify financial transactions, and monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities. The role involves collecting and presenting data for financial planning, assisting in entering annual work plans into the Results Management System (RMS), and providing advice on financial issues. The Finance Associate will prepare and administer office budgets, monitor the use of financial resources, and prepare cost recovery documents. They will also manage petty cash, assist project managers with budget reformulation, and provide financial support to program and operations teams. Additionally, the Finance Associate will compile information for resource mobilization, conduct training, and supervise staff as necessary. They will participate in audits and follow up on recommendations to ensure corrective actions are implemented.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have a minimum of secondary education, with specialized national or international certification in accounting and finance being an asset. A Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting is desirable. Successful completion of the UN Women Accounting and Finance Test is required as part of the selection process. Candidates should possess strong knowledge of financial rules and regulations, accounting principles, and IT tools, as well as the ability to administer financial processes and transactions effectively.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes completion of secondary education as a minimum requirement. Specialized certification in accounting and finance is considered an asset, while a Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting is desirable. Candidates must also successfully complete the UN Women Accounting and Finance Test as part of the selection process.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in finance. Candidates should have experience using computers and office software packages, including MS Word and Excel, as well as experience with web-based management systems. Familiarity with modern web-based ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in French is required for this position, while proficiency in English is desirable. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish, is also considered a plus.

Additional Notes:
The job does not specify a deadline for applications. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and adheres to a zero-tolerance policy regarding 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.