Finance Assistant

Job categories           Administration, Finance

Vacancy code             VA/2024/B0049/29302

Department/office      MP, SSC, BSSC, Bangkok Shr Serv Centre

Duty station                Bangkok, Thailand

Contract type              Local ICA Support

Contract level             LICA-4

Duration                      Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds

                                     and satisfactory performance.

Application period     29-Nov-2024 to 12-Dec-2024

Link to Apply              https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=29302

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

Background Information - BSSC

The UNOPS Bangkok Shared Service Centre (BSSC) is a Shared Services Centre (SSC) unit established for the purpose of providing internal, global, cost-effective transactional services which enhance the operational capacity of UNOPS and standardize systems and procedures. The BSSC, among other functions, carries out high-quality transactional services within the area of personnel contract administration and payroll.

For young professionals, a job within UNOPS BSSC offers the opportunity to enter the United Nations system via crucial back office service delivery in an engaging and development-focused work environment as part of a dynamic and effective UN entity. BSSC jobs offer a platform of learning and exposure to UNOPS' operations and the greater UN system.

Background Information - Job-specific

Under the guidance and supervision of the Finance Officer, the Finance Assistant supports the provision of financial services within the support services function, ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. The Finance Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations.

The Finance Assistant works in close collaboration with the Programme, Project and Support Services colleagues in the local office as well as the UNOPS HQ colleagues, to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

• Accounting and administrative support
• Implementation of operational strategies and procedures
• Knowledge building and sharing

1. Provide accounting and administrative support, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Assist within proper control of the supporting documents for bank and balance sheet reconciliation and financial reports.
• Follow-up with field finance users, UN entities and financial institutes for information relating to payments and invoices.
• Prepare routine correspondence, bank reconciliation report, following standard operating procedures.
• Maintain the proper digital filing system for financial records and documents.
• Assist field offices by performing monthly bank and investment reconciliations for all their accounts.
• Assist with the preparation of monthly and quarterly reports for any unreconciled transactions at the bank level.
• Monitor the prepaid and MasterCard transactions and, in case of any suspicious payments, promptly escalate to the supervisor.
• Assist with prepaid and MasterCard monthly reconciliation and prepare the Bank to book reports for submission to HQ.
• Flag any discrepancies with bank statements or the cash book, liaising with the Treasury team to rectify issues.
• Assist with reconciliation of UN entities’ and financial institutes’ statements on a monthly basis and prepare the adjusting entries for gain and loss.
• Help improve controls and systems to help capture financial information.
• Assist BSSC by performing ad hoc administrative duties, as needed, to support the office operations.
• Follow-up on all unreconciled items and provide regular update to supervisor.

• Maintain and control the automatching rate to be at a high level.
• Provide information for reports related to Bank Reconciliation as audit’s request.
• Assist with monthly reconciliation for service clearance account and prepare the posting for an adjustment and direct charges.
• Prepare the adjusting FX gain and loss for CITI World Link Payments.
• Assist to reduce the number of unreconciled items for each period.

2. Ensure implementation of operational strategies and procedures, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance of financial processes and financial records with UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies.
• Improvement the efficient reconciliation process through auto-matching by Kyriba system.
• Facilitation the offices to the correct Internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance for any particular issued unreconciled transactions.
• Improvement the efficient reconciliation process for Service Clearance Account by corporation with UNDP.

3. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Participation in the Finance-focused trainings.
• Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall execution of the UNOPS financial services. Accurate data entry and presentation of financial information and a client-oriented approach enhances UNOPS’ capability to effectively and efficiently manage financial resources.

Competencies

	Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
	Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
	Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
	Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
	Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
	Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
	Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• Completion of Secondary education is required.
• A Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree, preferably in Finance, Accounting or related fields is desirable, and may substitute some of the required years of work experience.
• Specialized training in finance is desirable.

Experience:

• With a high school diploma, a minimum of 4 years of relevant accounting and financial experience is required.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (G Suite) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages is desirable.
• Experience in handling web-based management systems is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and oral English is required.
• Knowledge of the second UN working language is desirable.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)

Contract level: LICA-4

Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
• This position is stationed in Bangkok, Thailand, which is a family duty station.
   

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.