The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.

In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.

In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

Job Title: Finance Associate

Job Location: Nigeria

 Brief Project Description:

• UNDP Finance unit provides financial management services to UNDP, Atlas agencies and Non Atlas agencies in Nigeria.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the guidance of the Deputy Country Director (Operations) and supervision of the Finance Analyst, the Finance Associate provides financial services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. The Finance Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

Summary of Key Functions:

•     Implementation of operational strategies
•     Accounting and administrative support
•     CO cash management
•     Knowledge building and knowledge sharing
• Ensures implementation of operational strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:
•     Full compliance of financial processes and financial records with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies.
•     Input to the CO business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management.
• Provides accounting and administrative support to the Finance Unit focusing on achievement of the following results:
•     Review of all supporting documents submitted by workshop participants before payments are disbursed electronically
•     Timely corrective actions on payment schedules in close liaison with programme and implementing partners ensuring that correct mileage chart and rates have been applied.
•     Monitoring of Exceptions between workshop attendance register and workshop payment schedules
•     Monitoring of discrepancies between air ticket reimbursement amount and actual ticket cost ensuring that required boarding passes are available and attached for all air travellers..

Ensures proper CO cash management system functioning focusing on achievement of the following results:

•     Review soft and hard copies of participants’ payment schedule for calculation accuracy
•     Ascertain that participants’ payment schedule is compatible with web bank format ensuring valid NUBAN numbers have been provided before batching
•     Reconciliation of UNDP Balance sheet Accounts as may be required
•     Review and reconcile all outstanding workshop advances to Standard Chartered Bank
•     Review All workshop payments for accuracy before transfers to participants
•     Any other tasks that may be assigned
•     Actively participate in UNDP Monthly/Quarterly/Yearly Accounts Closure

Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

•     Participation in the trainings for the operations/ projects staff on Finance.
•     Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Furthermore, UN volunteers are encouraged to:

•     Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);
•     Getting acquainted with and building on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
•     Reflecting on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
•     Contributing articles/write-ups on field experiences and submitting them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
•     Assisting with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UNV volunteers;
•     Promoting or advising local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encouraging relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Output:

• The key results have an impact on the overall CO efficiency in financial resources management and success in introduction and implementation of operational strategies.  Accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial information, timely and appropriate delivery of services ensure client satisfaction and enhance UNDP credibility in use of financial resources.
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the UNV assignment such as specific quantification of mobilized volunteers, activities, capacities

Competencies
Computer skills: 

•     Experience in handling web-based management system
•     Proficiency in Standard Computer Software (Word, Excel, Database, PowerPoint, Internet)
•     Strong aptitude for learning computer based financial and program management software for monitoring programs
•     Experience in the usage of ATLAS (Finance Application Access Module) will be an advantage.

Language skills: 

•     Excellent written and oral communication skills
•     Communication and negotiation skills
•     Ability to work in a multicultural environment
•     Possesses strong interpersonal skills
•     Result oriented outlook

Qualifications/Requirements:

•     Bachelors degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accounting
•     2  years relevant working experience

HOW TO APPLY:

Conditions of Service
For a 12-month contract; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities, equivalent to N94, 914 settling-in-grant (if applicable) Equivalent of one month VLA, i.e. N94, 914 for a 12-month assignment if candidate is recruited from outside the duty station, or pro-rated if assignment is shorter than 12 months; life, health, and permanent disability insurance; return airfares (if applicable); resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.
The UN  is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities.

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should click here to apply online.

Deadline: 7th January 2015