Finance Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead UN agency focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights, aiming to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of approximately 4,000 employees. The organization is dedicated to advancing the goals of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of maternal health, family planning, and gender-based violence. UNFPA's strategic plan for 2022-2025 emphasizes the need for transformative results and calls for collaboration among member states, organizations, and individuals to build a better future, especially in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU) was established in January 2022 and is self-funded, focusing on the effective delivery of life-saving reproductive health products and program supplies.

Job Overview:
The Finance Specialist position is integral to the Finance Team within Pillar 4 - Support Services of the Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU). Reporting directly to the Head of Pillar 4, the Finance Specialist will collaborate closely with colleagues across various HQ Business Units, Regional Offices, Country Offices, and external partners. This role is crucial for overseeing financial management and controllership of SCMU’s financial activities, which include managing Accounts Payable functions, ensuring compliance with UNFPA regulations, and providing strategic oversight for financial operations. The Finance Specialist will also play a key role in budget planning, financial reporting, and implementing audit recommendations, thereby contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of UNFPA's supply chain management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the Head of Pillar 4 - Support Services in overseeing SCMU’s financial operations, ensuring strategic resource management, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Provide expert financial guidance to senior management on resource planning, budgeting, and optimization.
• Ensure full compliance with UNFPA financial policies, IPSAS standards, and internal control frameworks.
• Lead budget planning, execution, and performance monitoring, including variance analysis and forecasting.
• Oversee ERP financial functions, including transaction approvals, reconciliations, and ledger integrity.
• Manage audit preparedness and follow-up, risk management, and exception reporting mechanisms.
• Supervise accounts payable and receivable processes, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant financial transactions.
• Lead annual financial closure, year-end reconciliations, and coordination with auditors.
• Support innovative financing approaches to diversify funding and enhance financial sustainability. 1
• Develop and implement UNFPA's capacity-strengthening initiatives. 1
• Advocate for the training of supply chain professionals and coach UNFPA personnel. 1
• Champion UNFPA's supply chain thought leadership and engage with industry experts. 1
• Contribute to the development of UNFPA’s value proposition and relationships with donors and partners. 1
• Establish effective collaboration with relevant stakeholders within UNFPA. 1
• Create a conducive working environment aligned with UNFPA's 2030 People Strategy. 1
• Carry out any other duties as may be required by the Chief, SCMU.

Required Qualifications:
An advanced university degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, International Commerce, or a related field is required. Professional Accounting certification such as CPA, CMA, ACCA, or CIMA with demonstrated expertise in IPSAS is required. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, accounting, or related areas is essential. Experience in managing a team, particularly within a remote and/or matrix organizational structure, is required. Professional written and spoken presentation skills are necessary, including the ability to synthesize complex supply chain documents for diverse audiences. Strong interpersonal skills and the capability to develop and maintain broad diversified partnerships are required. Experience using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is necessary, and basic proficiency in project management skills is an asset. Knowledge of UNFPA's Strategic Plan and related initiatives is an asset.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or International Commerce. Additionally, a professional accounting certification such as CPA, CMA, ACCA, or CIMA is required, along with demonstrated expertise in IPSAS.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in financial management, accounting, or related areas. Candidates should have experience managing a team, particularly in a remote or matrix organizational structure, and must demonstrate strong professional presentation skills, including the ability to develop reports and synthesize complex documents for various audiences.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. A working knowledge of another official UN language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's profile for this role.

Additional Notes:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other applicable benefits. UNFPA promotes a work environment that reflects values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. The organization encourages applications from women, individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA is committed to equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all, regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity.