Finance Officer

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Position Title: Finance Officer
Location: Kabul
Country: Afghanistan
Deadline Date: 07-Dec-2024

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services), which was established to help organizations manage projects effectively and efficiently. UNOPS operates in over 80 countries and employs thousands of professionals dedicated to delivering sustainable solutions in various sectors, including infrastructure, procurement, and project management. The organization aims to support peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, humanitarian response, and sustainable development through its projects and initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Finance Officer position is crucial for ensuring the financial integrity and accountability of projects managed by UNOPS in Afghanistan. The role involves verifying bank account details, legal statuses, and claims from contractors, consultants, and suppliers. The Finance Officer will be responsible for maintaining accurate records of payments, assisting in the reconciliation of accounts, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations and standards. This position requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances in a dynamic work environment. The Finance Officer will also contribute to knowledge management initiatives, ensuring that lessons learned and best practices are documented and shared within the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Officer will undertake a variety of duties, including but not limited to:

• Collecting and verifying bank account details from claimants, ensuring they match contractual agreements.
• Confirming the authenticity of account maintenance certificates with banks.
• Collecting legal status documentation from claimants and verifying against sanction lists.
• Assisting in the verification of claims from contractors and maintaining accurate records of payment certificates and acknowledgments.
• Reconciling unliquidated balances with fund balances and identifying cash movements in advance accounts.
• Verifying pending liabilities against advance accounts, including salaries and consultant claims.
• Collaborating with the safeguard team to verify compensation payments against environmental and social safeguards.
• Supporting the implementation of new modules in the Management Information System (MIS) for payment processing.
• Contributing to knowledge management activities to document project experiences and learning.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in finance, accounting, or auditing, with a minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in these fields. Experience in financial accounting related to claims, contract variations, and liquidation of expenses is highly desirable. Familiarity with management information systems or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems is an asset. Previous experience working in a UN context or in fragile environments will be considered an advantage. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical skills and attention to detail, as well as the ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.

Educational Background:
The position requires an Advanced University Degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in Finance, Management, Business/Public Administration, or a related discipline. Alternatively, a First Level University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in the same fields, combined with two additional years of relevant experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. This educational background ensures that candidates have a solid understanding of financial principles and practices necessary for the role.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in finance, accounting, or auditing is required for this position. Candidates with experience in financial accounting related to claims, contract variations, and liquidation of expenses will be preferred. Experience in conducting due diligence and familiarity with management information systems or ERPs will also be beneficial. Additionally, experience working in the UN system or in fragile contexts is considered an asset, as it demonstrates the candidate's ability to navigate complex environments and adhere to organizational standards.

Languages:
Fluency in English (reading, writing, and speaking) is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of any other UN languages is considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication with diverse stakeholders. Additionally, familiarity with local and regional languages can enhance the Finance Officer's ability to engage with local partners and communities effectively.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as an International ICA (Individual Contractor Agreement) role, with an ongoing contract that is open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. The application period for this position runs from November 24, 2024, to December 7, 202

• Candidates are advised that applications must be submitted before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date. The role is full-time and requires flexibility to adapt to the team's needs, as the nature of the work may involve unexpected challenges related to local laws and practices.