Finance Associate

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Finance Associate
Location: Nairobi
Country: Kenya
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which is the lead UN agency focused on delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and has a mission to promote the health and rights of women and young people. The organization is committed to achieving three transformative results as outlined in its strategic plan for 2022-2025: ending preventable maternal deaths, ending unmet needs for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA emphasizes the importance of principled and ethical staff who embody international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

Job Overview:
The Finance Associate position is integral to the Finance Branch within the Division for Management Services at UNFPA's Nairobi Service Center. This role is pivotal in ensuring effective financial management and accounting practices across the organization. The Finance Associate will provide guidance and support to various units within the Nairobi headquarters, ensuring transparency and accountability in financial operations. The position involves working closely with the Accounting and Payments Unit (APU) to manage accounts payable functions, oversee payroll adjustments, and maintain supplier relationships. The Finance Associate will also play a key role in the internal control framework for payment processing, ensuring compliance with UNFPA policies and procedures. This position is essential for enabling UNFPA to manage its financial resources effectively and achieve its strategic objectives, particularly in the context of the ongoing challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Associate will have a diverse range of responsibilities, including:

• Actively participating in Finance Branch meetings and maintaining positive relationships with key partners to ensure business continuity.
• Conducting fiduciary reviews of accounts payable requests to ensure accuracy and compliance with UNFPA policies.
• Preparing and submitting invoices for vendor payments and related transactions in the ERP system.
• Reviewing and preparing General Ledger Journal entries and adjustment entries for approval.
• Performing first-level finance reviews of Implementing Partners' eFACE forms and preparing payment requests.
• Serving as a petty cash custodian for Nairobi HQ units, ensuring proper administration and accountability.
• Providing guidance and support to Nairobi HQ units on financial management processes.
• Analyzing and correcting general ledger accounts related to payables during periodic and year-end closure processes.
• Monitoring financial data integrity and preparing financial information for audits. 1
• Proposing improvements to enhance efficiency in business processes and systems.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess completed Secondary Level Education as a minimum requirement. A part-qualified professional accounting qualification such as ACCA, CIMA, or CA, or a first-level bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or business administration is desirable. Additionally, candidates should have a strong understanding of financial management principles and practices, particularly in the context of international organizations.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes completed Secondary Level Education as a baseline. Candidates with a part-qualified professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACCA, CIMA, CA) or a first-level bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or business administration will be preferred. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of financial operations within the UN system.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 6 years of finance-related work experience, which includes roles in accounts receivable, accounts payable, and general ledger maintenance. Experience with the application of IPSAS or IFRS is advantageous. Proficiency in using spreadsheets, word processing, and computerized accounting systems, particularly Oracle Cloud computing, is also required. The ability to work under pressure while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy is crucial for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. A working knowledge of another official UN language is considered desirable, as it enhances communication and collaboration within the diverse UN environment.

Additional Notes:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package that includes a competitive net salary, health insurance, and other applicable benefits. UNFPA is committed to providing a work environment that reflects values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and a healthy work-life balance. The organization encourages applications from women, individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all, regardless of personal characteristics. The selection and appointment process may be subject to background checks, medical clearance, and other administrative requirements.