Finance Associate – Accounts Payable

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East, established to provide assistance and protection to Palestine refugees. With over 30,000 staff members, UNRWA operates in five areas of operation, focusing on delivering education, health care, social services, and emergency assistance to some of the most vulnerable communities in the region. The agency is committed to helping Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development despite the challenging circumstances they face. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations, and individual contributions. For more details, please visit their official website at https://www.unrwa.org.

Job Overview:
The Finance Associate – Accounts Payable position at UNRWA is a critical role that involves managing financial transactions related to accounts payable and general ledger operations. The incumbent will be responsible for verifying and approving claims and supporting documents in accordance with financial rules and regulations. This includes entering financial transactions for vendor invoices, micro purchase orders, and credit memos. The role also requires preparing documentation, checking, and validating vendor invoices for claims and payments arising from various procurement processes. The Finance Associate will ensure that all claims are properly documented, payments are accurately calculated and coded, and that budget allotments and account balances are maintained in compliance with contract provisions. Additionally, the position involves assisting in the closure of month and year-end activities, processing duty travel payments, coordinating with the Treasury Division for credit card payments, and ensuring payroll transactions are correctly calculated and verified. The Finance Associate will also handle queries from expending officers, employees, suppliers, and contractors, and prepare reports and statements related to their functions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Associate will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Verifying and approving claims and supporting documents in line with financial regulations.
• Entering financial transactions related to accounts payable and general ledger operations for vendor invoices, micro purchase orders, and credit memos.
• Preparing documentation and validating vendor invoices for claims and payments from international procurement and local purchases.
• Ensuring proper documentation of claims and accurate calculation and coding of payments.
• Coordinating with Central Support Services Division (CSSD) and user departments as necessary.
• Assisting in the closure of month and year-end activities, including reviewing liabilities, accruals, and vendor account statements.
• Processing duty travel payments and calculating travel entitlements.
• Coordinating with Treasury Division to review and settle credit card payments.
• Processing Imprest Fund payments and ensuring proper recording of transactions. 1
• Verifying payroll transactions and preparing payroll payments for complementary staff. 1
• Addressing queries from various stakeholders regarding financial matters and drafting correspondences and reports.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree from an accredited educational institution in accountancy, finance, or a related field. Additionally, at least two years of relevant professional experience in accounting and finance work is required, including experience with computerized finance systems. Proficiency in using computers and spreadsheet applications such as Excel is essential. Candidates must also demonstrate their current involvement in outside activities, which may include employment, freelance work, or volunteer activities. It is important to provide accurate and complete information, as misrepresentation can lead to disqualification or termination of appointment if hired.

Educational Background:
A university degree from an accredited educational institution in accountancy, finance, or a related field is mandatory for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the financial tasks required by the role effectively.

Experience:
The position requires at least two years of relevant professional experience in accounting and finance work. This experience should include working with computerized finance systems, which is crucial for managing the financial transactions and processes involved in the role. Candidates should also be able to demonstrate their ability to use various spreadsheet applications, particularly Excel, to manage and analyze financial data effectively.

Languages:
For this job opening, proficiency in English and Arabic is required. English is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, and candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Arabic is also essential for effective communication within the agency and with stakeholders. The required language proficiency levels are specified according to the UN Language Framework, with English requiring a minimum of Level II and Arabic requiring Level I.

Additional Notes:
The position is a Fixed Term Appointment for one year, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory performance, and continuing need. The monthly basic salary for this position is JD 780.00, which may be subject to a reduced work schedule. Additional benefits include a monthly Provident Fund contribution (15.4% of basic salary paid by the Agency), compulsory medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, and a dependency allowance if applicable. The position is open to both internal and external candidates, but only those residing in Amman and authorized to work in the duty station at the time of application are eligible. The agency will not facilitate the issuance of work permits in Jordan, and without a valid work permit, the appointment may be rescinded. The incumbent may be required to work outside normal duty hours and on a call basis. Preference will be given to registered Palestine refugees and candidates who assist the agency in achieving gender parity. Applications must be fully completed in UNRWA's online e-recruitment system, and late applications will not be accepted. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.