Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSAF), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with duty station in Pretoria, South Africa. The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the Regional Representative and the supervision of the Finance Assistant. For more information on UNODC, please visit the following website: www.unodc.org
Responsibilities
Within assigned authority, the Finance Assistant will be responsible for providing financial and programme administration support to the implementation of the programme/s, as well as supporting ROSAF financial management and will be responsible for the following specific duties: • Perform duties in full compliance with UNODC rules, regulations, policies and standard operating procedures, including internal controls. • Provide accounting and administrative support at ROSAF. • Coordinate the financial workflows in UNODC Regional Office for Southern Africa, including through UMOJA and other relevant operational systems of the UN Secretariat. • Review, analyse and process payments to third-parties, commercial entities and individuals. • Initiate correspondence to verify data, answers queries and obtains additional information on accounts and financial transactions, as required. • Maintain internal expenditures control system by ensuring that vouchers processed are matched and completed, and that transactions are correctly recorded in Umoja. • Reconcile Creditors and Debtors accounts and follow up on outstanding invoices or queries. • Prepare staff accounts and timely recovery of funds owed to UNODC by staff/personnel members on a monthly basis. • Monitor vehicle logbooks and ensure vehicle records are kept according to UN requirements on a monthly basis. • Process monthly VAT refunds and coordinate with the VAT unit ensuring correct recording of submitted VAT claims in Umoja. • Maintain asset register. • Maintain finance unit filing system both offline and on finance share drive. • Create grants and WBSEs in Umoja, update project awards and status. • Create, revise and close projects in IPMR. • Provide inputs and take necessary actions to facilitate timely grant/project closure. • Monitor expenditures and compare with approved budget ensuring actual expenditure has been recorded against correct budget category and activity and prepare adjustments as necessary. • Monitor and review open commitments regularly. • Reconcile of monthly payment transactions from UNDP and ensuring all pending queries are resolved timeously, including recovery of funds owed to UNODC by recipients. • Keep abreast of and maintain contact with officials of local and international banks and other financial institutions on changes in national law, financial procedures and regulations and matters pertaining to maintenance of office bank accounts. • Act as an alternative key interface for internal audits and accounts examinations. • Support knowledge building and sharing in the organization by participation in the training for the operation/projects staff on Finance. • Investigate erroneous/invalid entries and take appropriate accounting action. • Co-ordinate with project staff on project related issues during preparation of expenditure reports and budgets. • Prepare correspondence to respond to enquiries in respect to relevant financial and budget matters. • Ensure that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained. • Assist with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. • Assist with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. • Perform other work-related duties as assigned.
Competencies
Professionalism: Has knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures generally and in particular those related to programme/project administration, implementation and evaluation, technical cooperation, programming and budgeting. Understands the functions and organization of the work unit and of the organizational structure and respective roles of related units. Is able to work well with figures and budgets, undertake basic research and gather information from standard sources. Demonstrates ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. Has ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas 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. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
Education
High school diploma or equivalent is required.
Job - Specific Qualification
Specialized certification in Accounting/ Finance is desirable.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of work experience in finance, accounting or a related field is required. The minimum number of years of relevant experience is reduced to three (3) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Work experience with advanced computer applications (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Internet, Email, etc.) is required. Work experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is required. Work experience with SAP/Umoja is desirable. Work experience in finance, accounting and/or budget within the United Nations system or similar international organization is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details). Required Languages Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking English UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.
Special Notice
The appointment against this position is limited to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. THIS IS A FIXED TERM LIMITED POSITION. Appointment against this project post is for an initial period of one (1) year. The candidate selected for this position will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTA-limited”) in accordance with section 2.2 (c) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2025/3 on Administration of appointments. Renewal of appointment is contingent upon continued existence of mandate and availability of funding. If this position is discontinued, the incumbent will be separated from service. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of "internal candidate" in staff rule 4.10 who are selected for this position will be reassigned or transferred to the position, without a lien to their parent position. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their career in accordance with established rules and procedures. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. The movement of staff members from the General Service and related categories to the Professional category in the United Nations Secretariat is exclusively allowed through the Young Professionals Programme competitive examinations. Only few staff members pass the competitive examinations. Passing the competitive examinations does not guarantee movement to the Professional category. For further information, please visit the UN Careers Portal at https://careers.un.org/young-professionals-programme?language=en
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.