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 to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact in the area of gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization 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. UN Women is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect, and it recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes individuals regardless of various factors such as race, religion, gender identity, and more. The organization adheres to a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with its aims and objectives, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and discrimination.

Job Overview:
The Finance Associate position at UN Women Nigeria Country Office is a critical role that involves the execution of a wide range of financial services and administrative processes. The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the Country Representative and daily supervision of the Operations Manager. The primary responsibility is to ensure the timely, efficient, and transparent use of financial resources in accordance with organizational financial rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. The Finance Associate will promote a client-oriented approach and collaborate closely with the Operations Team in the Country Office, as well as with the Operations and Programme teams in the UN Women Regional Office and HQ. This position requires a proactive approach to solving complex finance-related issues and delivering accurate financial information. The Finance Associate will implement financial strategies, adapt processes, and ensure compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Associate will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including but not limited to: ensuring compliance with UN Women financial regulations and rules; reviewing and verifying financial transactions and documentation; monitoring financial exceptions reports for unusual activities; collecting and presenting information for financial planning; providing advice on financial issues; monitoring the financial resources management system; preparing and administering CO budgets; tracking the use of financial resources; preparing cost recovery documents; maintaining internal expenditure control systems; preparing VAT reimbursements; managing petty cash funds; assisting project managers with budget re-phrasal; reviewing accounts receivables; preparing journal entries; monitoring payroll and travel claims; ensuring compliance with donor budgets; and providing inputs for financial reports. The Finance Associate will also participate in internal and external audits, follow up on audit recommendations, and facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building within the organization.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a completion of secondary education as a minimum. Specialized national or international certification in accounting and finance is considered an asset, while a Bachelor's degree in Finance or Accounting is also advantageous. Successful completion of the UN Women Accounting and Finance Test is required as part of the selection process. The candidate must possess excellent 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:
Candidates must have completed secondary education, with specialized certification in accounting and finance being an asset. A Bachelor's degree in Finance or Accounting is also preferred. Additionally, successful completion of the UN Women Accounting and Finance Test is mandatory for selection.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in finance. Experience in using computers and office software packages, including MS Word and Excel, is required. Familiarity with web-based management systems is essential, and experience with a modern web-based ERP System, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable. Experience within the UN system or international organizations is also a plus.

Languages:
Fluency in English 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 profile.

Additional Notes:
The Finance Associate position is a full-time role based in Abuja, Nigeria. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds. UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy regarding misconduct and expects all personnel to adhere to its policies and standards of conduct. Candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. It is crucial for applicants to complete all sections of the application form to avoid disqualification from the recruitment process.