NATIONAL POST: Finance Associate, Nairobi Kenya, FTA, G7

The Position:

The Finance Associate is located at the UNFPA Kenya Country Offices  (CO) and reports to the Finance Analyst.

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 strategic plan , reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to "build forward better", while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women's and girls' access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

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:

The Finance Associate delivers quality financial services to internal and external clients mastering all relevant rules, guidelines, processes and procedures. Takes a client-oriented results-focused approach in interpreting  rules, procedures and guidelines, providing support and guidance to the CO and UNFPA-supported projects.

You would be responsible for:

• Ensure timely processing of National Execution (NEX) advances to partners and liquidation of advances for all implementing partners, including proper filing of signed FACE forms as well as availing signed copies to partners. This includes timely processing of support costs to these IPs.
• Undertakes processing of staff entitlements like security reimbursements, education grants, home leave, among others.
• Interprets financial policies and procedures particularly relating to National Execution (NEX) and Direct Execution (DEX) and applies these in all financial processes. 
• Performs timely OFA –FACE_- CDR Reconciliations and maintains up to date records on a monthly basis.
• Participates in financial monitoring and training of National Execution Implementing partners in policies guidelines related to project expenditure; including participation in HACT spot checks.
• Ensures the effective financial recording and reporting system, internal control and audit follow-up and processes financial transactions in an accurate and timely way, focusing on achieving the following results;
  • Timely processing of all travel agency and taxi services payments 
  • Follow up, review and processing of F10 claims relating to partners after missions to ensure compliance
  • Processing of all DSA payments relating to partners.
  • Processing of all payments relating to staff, consultants.
  • Processing of all other payments as required
• Perform end year accounts closure activities by ensuring all required reports are generated, reconciled, signed and uploaded as required within the set deadlines as well as performing balance sheet accounts reconciliation.
• Maintain proper filing system of finance documents and respond to clients' queries.

Management of Office Finances:

• Reviews detailed expenditure reports and takes corrective action as needed.
• Processes travel requests in UNALL and keeps track of reporting after the travel and follows up for reporting by travelers. Essentially keep an up to date record of all travel claims and follow up for timely reporting by travelers.
• Performs internal audit functions for the Country Office and implementing partners. Monitors the implementation of audit recommendations to those projects.
• Ensures the effective financial recording and reporting system, internal control and audit follow-up.  Maintains up-to-date and complete records, documentation and filing of all financial information.
• Maintains a proper financial filling system and record of vendor lists and their bank accounts.
• Liaises with the UNDP on all finance related matters (including the processing of payments), and ensures that all necessary documentation is duly completed and submitted.
• Reviews and monitors charges for common services and cost recovery taking into account maximum cost efficiency and represents UNFPA's interest in related negotiations and agreements.
• Processes payments relating to purchase of goods/services, DSA, travel and other entitlements. Verifies supporting documents for regular expenditures before processing payments.
• Prepares and processes requests for other project cash advances as required.
• Keeps a tracker of balance sheet accounts and processes all the required journal entries.
• Carries out functions of petty cash custodian for the office.
• Process payments to meeting participants including through mobile money.

Management of IP Finance

• Reviews and processes funds to implementing partners in accordance to UNFPA guidelines, including:
• Verifying reporting on FACEs and justifications of funds advanced to implementing partners.
• Reviewing and Recording of FACE forms in Quantum system and ensuring use of correct Chart of Accounts
• Updating the Matrix of OFA reconciliation and following up with IPs for the refund of funds without delay.
• Provides support in the financial closure of operationally closed projects Capacity Building:
• Keeps abreast of NEX procedures and follow up pending audit/spot check recommendations.
• Provide one-to-one coaching to IP project finance staff as necessary.
• Any  other related duties assigned by the supervisor .

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

Completion of Secondary Level Education required.  First level university degree in finance, business administration and/or other related fields is desirable.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Seven years of relevant experience in Finance, business administration or office management.
• Experience in usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling web-based management systems and ERP financials.
• Experience working with international organizations including UN Agencies is an added advantage 

Languages: 

Fluency in English Language is required 

Required Competencies: 

Values:

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

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,

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.