Finance Associate, Awards Management

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 by the United Nations General Assembly as an entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. The organization was formed as part of the UN reform agenda, merging the resources and mandates of four previously distinct parts of the UN system that focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women 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. The organization is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and employs a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities it serves. UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with its aims and objectives, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and discrimination. The organization is headquartered in New York and has a presence in multiple countries worldwide, working with various stakeholders to promote gender equality and women's rights.

Job Overview:
The Finance Associate, Awards Management, plays a crucial role within the Financial Management Services (FMS) section of UN Women, which is responsible for the effective management of financial, budgetary, and administrative functions. This position involves a wide range of responsibilities aimed at ensuring compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and UN Women’s financial regulations. The Finance Associate will work under the guidance of the Finance Manager and directly report to a Finance Specialist. The role encompasses the preparation and issuance of financial donor reports, oversight of awards financial management, revenue recognition, project financial closure, and fund monitoring. The Finance Associate will also be involved in maintaining accurate financial records, supporting project financial closure processes, and ensuring timely submission of donor reports. This position requires strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with various teams within UN Women and its partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Associate will be responsible for administering financial donor reporting, which includes preparing certified interim, final, and ad hoc financial donor reports in accordance with donor agreements. The role requires performing quality assurance reviews of financial information, monitoring donor reporting schedules, and maintaining complete supporting documentation for audit trails. Additionally, the Finance Associate will support project financial closure by verifying that all financial closure requirements are met, monitoring project closure status, and processing financial adjustments as necessary. The position also involves administering contribution revenue recognition, processing daily treasury transactions, and maintaining a database of deposits received. The Finance Associate will perform general accounting and administrative functions, including processing billing and cost recovery, supporting recruitment and onboarding processes, and monitoring assigned General Ledger accounts. The role requires implementing internal controls and ensuring compliance with financial regulations and policies, as well as contributing to business process improvements and knowledge management within the organization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have completed high school (secondary education) as a minimum requirement. A specialized certificate or diploma in Accounting or Finance, or a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, Public Administration, or a professional accounting qualification (such as ACCA, CPA, or CA) is considered an asset. Successful completion of the UN Women Accounting and Finance Test is required as part of the selection process. Candidates should demonstrate strong accounting and bookkeeping skills, proficiency in IT, and the ability to administer financial processes and transactions effectively. A results-oriented approach to work and strong communication and relationship management skills are essential for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes at least a high school diploma, with a preference for candidates who have a specialized certificate or diploma in Accounting or Finance. A Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, or Public Administration is highly desirable. Professional accounting qualifications such as ACCA, CPA, or CA are also considered advantageous. Candidates must have a solid understanding of financial management principles and practices, as well as familiarity with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

Experience:
Candidates should possess a minimum of six years of progressively relevant work experience in areas such as accounting, financial management, financial reporting, analysis" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">financial analysis, treasury operations, or financial controls. Experience working with web-based ERP financial systems, preferably Oracle Cloud, is required. Additionally, candidates should have experience in at least five of the following areas: financial donor reporting, revenue accounting, financial reconciliation and analysis of General Ledger accounts, treasury operations, preparation of financial statements, payroll accounting, audit or internal controls, lease accounting, financial instrument accounting, and financial reporting automation. Experience applying IPSAS and/or IFRS is desirable, as is experience working within the UN System in a similar role.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory 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 application.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a locally recruited General Service category role, which means it is open to nationals of Germany and applicants with valid employment authorization to work in Germany. The position may involve a full-time commitment, and candidates should be prepared for a rigorous recruitment process that includes background checks and verification of academic credentials and employment history. UN Women emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds.