Operations & 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. For over fifty years, UNU has been a source of impartial research focused 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 across 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, emphasizing its commitment to addressing pressing global challenges.

Job Overview:
The Operations & Finance Associate (OFA) plays a crucial role in ensuring the effective execution of financial services and processes at the UNU International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH). Under the guidance of the Head of Operations (HOO), the OFA is responsible for promoting a client-oriented approach that aligns with UN and UNU regulations. This position requires close collaboration with the operations team, project staff, and work package leads to resolve finance-related issues and ensure consistent service delivery. The OFA will assist in implementing operational and financial management strategies, ensuring compliance with financial processes, and contributing to the improvement of the internal control framework. The role also involves providing accounts payable support, accounting, reporting, and administrative assistance to the Finance Unit, as well as supporting systems compliance and process improvement initiatives. The OFA is expected to perform various duties as assigned by the supervisor, including training and onboarding staff on financial procedures and representing the finance functions in meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist in the implementation of operational and financial management strategies, ensuring compliance with UN/UNU rules and regulations regarding financial processes, records, and reports, including monthly and year-end closing and audit follow-up.
• Contribute to the application and improvement of the UNU internal control framework, identifying and escalating risks to the HOO as appropriate.
• Provide accounts payable and financial transaction support, processing transactions, maintaining accurate internal expenditure control systems, and facilitating timely closure of accounts.
• Prepare accounts receivable entries, compile supporting documents for budget proposals, and ensure compliance with statutory financial reporting requirements.
• Serve as a key user for the ERP system, supporting data integrity and user training, and contribute to process improvements to enhance service delivery.
• Support the training and onboarding of finance and non-finance staff on financial procedures and best practices.
• Liaise with UNU HQ and external parties to facilitate effective financial collaboration and compliance.
• Provide administrative office support services to ensure the smooth functioning of the institute.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: A bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related discipline; or a High School Diploma with a specialized certification in Accounting and Finance, along with two years of additional experience in lieu of a bachelor’s degree. Part-qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
• Skills and Experience: High School Diploma with six years of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience; or a Bachelor’s Degree with four years of relevant experience. Working knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) is preferred. Advanced knowledge of MS Office, particularly Excel and Word, is required. Strong ability to support planning and implementation of travel and administrative arrangements, and to work under minimal supervision. Experience with ERP systems is essential, and knowledge of UN systems is advantageous. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multicultural environment are necessary.

Educational Background:
A bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related discipline is required. Alternatively, candidates with a High School Diploma and a specialized certification in Accounting and Finance, along with two years of additional relevant experience, may also be considered. Part-qualified accountants from recognized institutes will have an advantage in the selection process.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of four years of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience if they hold a bachelor’s degree, or six years of experience if they possess a High School Diploma. Experience in handling Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems or other web-based management systems is essential, along with a strong understanding of financial processes and compliance requirements.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of the national language of the duty station, Malay, is desirable and may enhance a candidate's profile.

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 open to Malaysian residents holding a valid passport or identity card, or a valid Resident Permit to work and live in Malaysia. The expected start date is as soon as possible. The compensation package includes a tax-exempt annual net salary, 30 days of annual leave, dependency benefits, a pension plan, and health insurance. The United Nations University is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including women and individuals from developing countries.