Finance Officer, Entebbe, Uganda

Closing date: Friday, 13 March 2015

Posting Title: FINANCE OFFICER, P3

Job Code Title: FINANCE OFFICER

Department/ Office

Regional Service Centre at Entebbe

Duty Station

ENTEBBE

Posting Period

26 February 2015-13 March 2015

Job Opening number

15-FIN-RSCE-41154-F-ENTEBBE (M)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Special Notice

This ‘Recruit from Roster’ job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

Organizational Setting and Reporting

The post is located in the RSCE, Entebbe. The incumbent reports to the Service Delivery Manager.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Finance Officer will carry out the following duties: Accounts: Reviews and verifies the closing of monthly accounts and preparation of financial statements for submission to Headquarters.

Verifies the data reported in the financial statements.

Scrutinizes source documents for completeness, accuracy and validity of charges.

Reviews and approves various vouchers and accounting transactions, e.g., payroll, payment of staff entitlements, final payments, travel claims, vendor invoices, agencies, field missions, etc., to ensure adherence to relevant staff rules, financial regulations and rules, guidelines or practices.

Maintains internal control procedures to ensure vouchers are processed and correctly posted Umoja.

Investigates erroneous charges and takes appropriate corrective accounting actions.

Reviews and verifies bank reconciliations on a monthly basis.

Examines the validity of requests for increases in petty cash levels; approve disbursement vouchers to replenish petty cash accounts.

Approves the recording of Earmarked Fund (Obligations) in UMOJA.

Supervises other General Service and Field Service staff as required.

Responds to queries from staff members and third parties.

Assists the Chief of Unit/Section in cash management, including preparing cash flow forecasts.

General: Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures.

Provides guidance and training (including preparation of training materials) to junior staff with respect to transaction processing and the use of various systems such as SAP(UMOJA) and PROGEN.

Drafts/verifies memoranda and/or cables relevant to financial and budget matters to various offices, departments and missions.

Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge in the use and application of the Organization’s financial regulations and rules as well as accounting policies and practices. Ability to extract, interpret, and analyse a wide variety of data and to resolve data discrepancies and other problems. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals
• Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others
• Places team agenda before personal agenda
• Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position
• Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings Planning & Organizing:
• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies
• Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required
• Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning
• Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary
• Uses time efficiently Client Orientation:
• Considers all those to whom services are provided to be ‘clients ‘ and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view
• Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect
• Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions
• Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems
• Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects
• Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in finance, administration, budget, business administration or related field. Experience with United Nations systems and processes is highly desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English is required.

Assessment Method

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an informal interview.

United Nations Considerations

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations – Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.