Roster: Finance Consultant

The Position

Finance Branch is creating a roster of local and international consultants for short-term assignments in order to meet peaks in workload, with skills and experience in the areas of (A) financial operations; (B) revenue and donor reporting; (C) inventory accounting and control; and (D) cash transfers to implementing partners.  Consultant will report to the head of the respective Finance Branch unit, Chief, Accounts or Chief, Finance Branch. 

How you can make a difference

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2018-2021), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.  In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose

Under the supervision of head of the respective Finance Branch unit, the Finance Consultant supports the continuous improvement and operationalization of the IPSAS environment at UNFPA by providing short term support during peaks in workload in one or more areas as described in the next section. 

You would be responsible for: 

Area A: Financial operations

• Analyze Operating Fund Account (OFA) transactions (advances to implementing partners and expense reports submitted by them) including timely and accurate processing of advances and expenses for international NGOs and UN agencies ensuring proper and accurate accounting in UNFPA books and correctness of OFA payable / receivable balances;
• Prepare reconciliation and aging of selected balance sheet accounts including VAT receivable, petty cash, project cash advances, staff receivables. Prepare supporting schedules; 
• Prepare/review interfund reconciliation for Atlas agencies;
• Recording of accruals;
• Review and correct accounts for accuracy of coding e.g. expenses, revenue;
• Account for project closures;
• Review vendor database for accuracy and consistency;
• Assist as necessary with other specific accounting and validation of data in the ERP;
• Assist with other processes aimed at preparing organization for the closure of books and issuance of financial reporting.

Area B: Revenue and donor reporting

• Ensure that contributions are allocated on a timely basis, not overspent and expenditures are in compliance with any applicable donor covenants;
• Ensure that contributions are always current and receivable and payable amounts are settled on a timely basis;
• Perform and/or review bank reconciliations for HQ and field offices;
• Prepare and reconcile revenue and receivables at quarterly intervals;
• Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting to donors in accordance with legal agreements and protocol e.g. annual and final financial donor reports. Assure the quality of financial reports issued to non-standard donors;
• Oversee the development of consolidated financial and narrative reporting templates for implementing units to complete in line with donor agreements.

Area C. Inventory accounting and control

• Review the accuracy and completeness of inventory records in selected field offices and monitor their compliance with the requirements of the Policy and Procedures on Management of Programme Supplies. This includes:
• Review interim and year-end inventory certifications including stock counts, delivery forms, receiving and inspection reports and other support documents for completeness, accuracy and policy compliance; liaison with the field offices in case of any gaps or errors and support their satisfactory resolution;
• Train and guide the field offices on the requirements of the Policy on Management of Programme Supplies, use of the inventory tracking system (Shipment Tracker) and any other matters relating to tracking, recording and reporting of inventory, with special focus on countries with known capacity gaps and large inventory volumes;
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of information in the inventory tracking system by performing various data analytics and quality checks; perform periodic reconciliation of inventory accounting entries between sub-modules and General Ledger;
• Gather information and produce periodic performance reports on inventory management, using data visualization software, highlighting identified risks, incompliances and inefficiencies; formulate recommendations for management action; introduce improvements to reports to improve their relevance, accuracy and visual appeal; 
• Review requests for inventory write-offs, document the review results in dedicated reports to senior management, and book write-off entries following receipt of correspondent approvals;
• Coordinate the process of identifying, verifying and uploading information about locally procured inventories;
• Assist with the inventory valuation activities, collecting, cleansing and summarizing valuation information and then consolidating findings for further review and adjusting.

Area D: Cash transfers to implementing partners

• Cash transfers to implementing partners (IPs) are managed in the Global Programming System (GPS). GPS provides the functionality used by UNFPA IPs to submit Funding Authorization and Certificate of Expenditure (FACE) form to request cash advances; report on their use; request the reimbursement of expenses; and make direct payments to vendors; for programme implementation purposes.
• Provide functional, policy and process support to field offices (FOs) and promptly respond to queries through UNFPA Integrated Service Desk (ISD) or emails;
• Assist UNFPA FOs to reconcile and adjust Operating Fund Account (OFA – i.e., outstanding cash advances provided to IPs not yet cleared) balances to ensure that the OFA balance reconciles with GPS at all times;
• Prepare regular GPS reports and analysis for management analysis;
• Monitor FO GPS preparedness and arrange webinars to address frequently asked questions, issues and support needs;
• Ensure accuracy of GPS configuration set-up (linkage of IP & vendor profiles);
• Provide inputs/requirements to design and development of GPS enhancements;
• Conduct thorough testing, analysis and feedback once the GPS bundles (enhancements) have been developed;
• Assist with any other task aimed to ensure a successful rollout of GPS II functionality;
• Year-end account closure activities: supervise and perform different year-end accounting closure activities and certification processes; ensure the proper and accurate accounting of OFA and other assigned balance sheet accounts in UNFPA’s books.

Required Qualifications and Experience 

• Completion of secondary school education, additional training in finance or accounting is desirable. Undergraduate level degree in Business Administration, Information Systems, Finance, Accounting, Supply Chain Management, Risk Management or Audit is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in the finance related role;
• Advanced skills operating spreadsheets are mandatory (e.g. Excel, Google spreadsheet);
• Strong attention to detail and data analysis skills; ability to use large and imperfect datasets for meaningful analysis identifying key trends, data integrity gaps, and performance strength and weaknesses;
• Good writing and communication skills;
• Self-starter with proactive approach to all work-related matters;
• Experience in drafting policy and guidance documents, standard operating procedures and training manuals is a strong advantage;
• Previous experience with major ERP system, preferably Peoplesoft/Oracle is desirable;
• Experience in data visualization, including through use of dedicated software (e.g. Tableau) is preferred
• Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably French and/or Spanish, is a significant advantage. 

Required Competencies

Values

• Exemplifying integrity
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system 
• Embracing cultural diversity 
• Embracing change

Functional Competencies

• Business acumen
• Implementing management systems
• Innovation and marketing of new approaches
• Client orientation
• Organizational awareness

Core Competencies

• Achieving results
• Being accountable
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen
• Thinking analytically and strategically
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships
• Communicating for impact

Compensation and Duration 

This is a short-term full or part time consultancy, depending on assignment, that offers an attractive remuneration, payable base on delivery of satisfactory services.

Disclaimer

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fees in connection with the application on recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm.

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, Embracing diversity in all its forms, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities.

How to apply

Please send your application and a short letter of motivation with "Roster:  Finance Consultant" in the subject to fb.consultant.roster@unfpa.org, by ­­16 June 2020.