Finance Assistant (Re-advertised)

* Candidates who applied under the previous vacancy should not be required to re-apply.

Job Description

 1. Background:

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable communities, towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat has been a partner with the number of ministries at national and provincial level, development partners, civil society organizations and academia. 

UN-Habitat is implementing a project in the five cities (Haripur, Kohat, Peshawar, Karachi and Quetta) with Afghan refugee’s concentration to empower and support both communities in selected settlements by promoting  inclusive and sustainable urban development that prioritizes issues relating to housing and overcrowding, tenure insecurity, infrastructure, basic services and living conditions, economic opportunities, social cohesion and integration and improved living conditions, including preventing gender-based violence. The project implementation involves extensive procurement and infrastructure construction through contractors, resulting in a significant increase in the volume of payment submissions, tracking and timely trouble shooting.  

The coordination of the project is through a Country Programme Manager (CPM), a Deputy Country Programme Manager (DCPM), and a Chief Technical Adviser (CTA), all based in Islamabad, and the Provincial Coordinator(s). The incumbent will also provide technical assistance to offices in KP, Balochistan and Sindh. 

2. Objectives of the assignment:

To support financial operations, UN-Habitat seeks to engage a qualified Finance Assistant to assist in day-to-day financial management. The Finance Assistant will support the Operations Unit in ensuring accurate financial processing, proper documentation, and compliance with UN-Habitat financial rules and procedures.

3. Duties & Responsibilities:

• Under the direct supervision of the PMO and indirect supervision of the CPM, the incumbent will have the following duties and responsibilities:
• Assist in effective and accurate financial resources management, in accordance with the UN/UN-Habitat’s rules and regulations.
• Assist in the preparation of draft programme and project budgets, including mandatory and other budget revisions as required.
• Draft financial reports as and when required.
• Monitor burn rates and review documents with regards to utilisation provincial and field budgets, and provide backstopping support as required.
• Provide feedback to field offices to rectify differences in cash books and requisition forms.
• Support the end-to-end processing of contractor payments, including verification of payment submissions against contractual milestones and supporting documents.
• Coordinate with UNDP, UN House bank office to release of payment and record keeping. Submit monthly forecast
• Ensure raise / manage receivable and payable without delay.
• Monitor and reconcile accounts payable and receivables. 
• Provide assistance in the timely management of petty cash accounts/operational funds.
• Raise obligation / commitment and disbursable in UN-ERP
• Maintain records and files related to finance and accounting.
• Support in internal/external audits? (Tracking and closure of audit observations)
• Assist in ensure adherence to UN/UN-Habitat’s operational policies, procedures and standards of conduct.
• Perform any other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

4. Competencies:

Corporate Competencies:

• Promotes UN’s values and ethical standards (tolerance, integrity, respect, results orientation, impartiality)
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (written and oral)
• Ability to work under pressure and difficult conditions and to work with minimal supervision 
• Sensitivity to and responsiveness to all partners, Respectful and helpful relations with all UN staff
• Professional maturity and accountability

5. Required Qualifications: 

a. Education & Qualification:

Minimum Highschool certification. A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent)  in accounting, financial management or other fields relevant to the above duties is advantage. 

b. Experience:

• Minimum 03 years of experience in finance/financial management including usage of. ERP. 
• Experience with UN agencies, international organizations, or donor-funded projects is an asset.

6. Language:

Fluency in English as well as the national/local language of the country (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage. 

7. Other Skills:

• Thorough knowledge of financial rules and regulations of the UN or a similar organisation and procedures related to country level project implementation would be an asset.
• Ability to work under pressure against deadlines and to work efficiently in a multi-national team
• Timely processing of financial transactions with minimal errors
• Excellent interpersonal skills and cross- cultural awareness
• Ability to work with minimum supervision, with efficiency, competence, and integrity Computer literacy in MS Word and Excel required.