UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund, in the world’s largest international source of funding for population and reproductive health programmes. UNFPA works with governments and non-governmental organizations in over 140 countries in all matters related to the reproductive system. Reproductive health is recognized as a human right, part of the right to health. UNFPA assists countries to formulate population policies and strategies in support of sustainable development.

TITLE: Finance Assistant
CATEGORY: GS5
Duration: Fixed Term Appointment; One Year Initially
Duty Station: Accra, Ghana
Organizational Unit: UNFPA Country Office

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

Office Finance Support:

•   Provides financial information support, within the corporate information system modules, to Programme Analysts during budgeting, implementation and monitoring of projects
•   Assists in the financial management of the Country Office budgets formulation, monitoring of expenditures and preparation of revisions according to the needs of the office.
•   Maintains financial records and monitors systems to record and reconcile expenditures,  balances payments, statements payment disbursement vouchers and other day-to-day transactions.
•   Assists in the preparation of financial reports of trust funds and other joint programmes.
•   Reviews supporting documents attached to the authorization for payments by CO staff implementing partners and vendors.
•   Prepares payment disbursement vouchers writes out cheques for signature and issues them to vendors
•   Maintains petty cash and subsequent replenishments
•   Ensures the correct and up to-date filing of all financial information
•   Effectively provides general research support from records, reports and prepares periodic and ad hoc reports on administrative and financial issues.
•   Keeps the operation team informed by providing relevant information, reports or status updates
•   Banks cash and cheques received periodically
•   Assists in periodic audit and verification visits

Administrative Support:

•   Processes financial transactions in an accurate and timely manner
•   Ensures the timely completion of all financial and other administrative requirements

People Management & Leadership:

•   Provides information, technical advice and guidance on all aspects of financial management; including NEX procedures, auditing, budgets, and cash flow management;  liaising and advising on best practices as necessary in-house as well as with external stakeholders.
•   Exchanges relevant information and maintains  an open line of communication with colleagues and his/her supervisor.
•   Actively participates in CO and operation unit meeting

Other

•   When appropriate, undertakes other related duties assigned by the supervisor and /or Representative.

Required Competencies
Functional Competencies:

•   Implementing management systems
•   Business acumen and ability to multi- task and balance competing priorities.
•   Innovation and marketing of new approaches.
•   Pro- activeness and client orientation
•   Organizational awareness.
•   Job knowledge-technical expertise

Core Competencies:

•   Values Integrity/commitment to mandate. Knowledge sharing/Continuous learning, valuing diversity.
•   Managing Relationships: Working in teams, Communicating information and ideas, Conflict and self management
•   Working with people: Empowerment/Developing people/Performance management.
•   Personal Leadership and Effectiveness: Strategic and analytical thinking, Results orientation/Commitment to excellence, Appropriate and transparent decision making.

Job Requirements
Academic Requirements:

•   An undergraduate degree or Diploma in Accounting, business administration, Finance, public administration or other related field

Experience:

•   At least 3 years progressively responsible experience in finance in a public or private sector environment
•   Detailed   knowledge and understanding   of clerical, administrative,   secretarial best practices and procedures within a multicultural corporate environment

Languages:

•   Fluency in oral and written English.

Computer Skills:

•   Expertise in current office software applications
•   Proficiency in Atlas, PeopleSoft, and other computerized applications used by the UN

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Applications to be addressed to the Representative at:

ghana.office@UNFPA.org

Closing Date: 13 December, 2013

Completion of United Nations Personal History form (P11) is mandatory. Download   form at http://ghana.unfpa.org/ index.php (See Job Opportunities link)

Should you require any further information, do write to morcher@unfpa.org Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Women are encouraged to apply. Successful candidate should be ready to assume duty at short notice.