Finance Officer

This position is open to Sudan Nationals Only

BACKGROUND

OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together Humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies.

OCHA’s mission is to:

• Mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies.
• Advocate the rights of people in need
• Promote preparedness and prevention
• Facilitate sustainable solutions.

The Finance Officer position is located in the Operations and Advocacy Division, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which is part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA’s mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions. 

The Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF) was established in 2006 to allow the international and national humanitarian communities to address increasing humanitarian needs in Sudan through the transparent and accountable management of significant humanitarian funds 

The Financing and Partnership Section (FPS) manages, among others, the Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF), which is a multi-donor country-based pooled fund managed by OCHA Sudan under the leadership of the Humanitarian Coordinator. It receives unearmarked contributions from donors into a single fund. The funds are used for ongoing humanitarian operations and to respond to new emergencies.

The FPS team works in four main areas: 

1. managing the day-to-day SHF allocation process in support of the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC), including ensuring transparency, inclusiveness and accountability with humanitarian partners in the selection and recommendation of funding priorities to the HC. 
2. providing secretariat services to the SHF Advisory Board in support of the HC. 
3. donor relations and resources mobilization with SHF and bilateral donors to strengthen humanitarian financing across Sudan; and 
4. Supporting humanitarian partners in formulating CERF requests and liaison with OCHA CERF headquarters in New York.

Key Duties and Accountabilities:

Under the guidance and supervision of the Head of the Finance Pillar, the Finance Officer is expected to:

1-Ensure administration and implementation of operational strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance with UN/UNOCHA rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations; implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system. 
• Provide support in maintaining complete and updated cash flows for the Fund. 
• Support IP regarding compliance with the UNFRR and the Guidelines for CBPF. 
• Keep up to date with documents/reports/guidelines relevant to programme and/or OCHA budgets, ensuring compliance with United Nations policies and procedures. 
• Prepare financial analysis for standard and ad-hoc reporting requirements. 
• Provide input for the preparation of CBPF Annual Reports. 
• Ensure timely financial reporting in compliance with donors’ requirements. 
• Liaise with relevant OCHA sections at HQ. 
• Perform other related duties, as assigned. 

2- Ensure proper portfolio management in adherence with SHF procedures and protocol;

• Review and advise on the clearance of the project budgets. 
• Review and advise on budget amendments or no-cost extension requests. 
• Review grant agreements and supporting documents to ensure accuracy, consistency, reasonableness, and compliance with the UNFRR and the Country-based Pooled Funds (CBPF) Guidelines. 
• Maintain complete, accurate and updated detailed list of disbursements for Implementing Partners. 
• Regular follow-up with IP to obtain financial reports. 
• Review interim and final financial reports and confirm the amount for additional disbursements. 
• Initiate the process to ensure disbursements as required and follow-up on any reimbursements. 

3-Provide management support for SHF partner assurance, risk management and monitoring processes;

• Liaise with companies carrying out financial audit of partners and financial spot-checks ensuring compliance with the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules (UNFRR); 
• Provide support in the audit process - including facilitation of the contracting of external auditing companies, supporting the planning, advise on the clearance of audit reports and ensuring follow-up of critical audit findings. 
• Review the draft audit report to make sure that it is in line with the signed agreement and project budget. 
• Conduct financial spot-checks in line with the operational modalities. 
• Conduct capacity assessment of partners who passed the first step of the Eligibility process (Due Diligence) to gauge their capacity and assign them with an appropriate risk profile backed up by a comprehensive report based on review of partner's systems, practices, and documentations. 

4-Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing; 

• Provide financial training to the Implementing partners. 
• Provide technical support for Implementing Partners requiring assistance on GMS related issues. 
• Conduct partner sensitization on SHF procedures and guidelines for accessing grants, working with the Grant Management System (GMS) and the Guidelines for Country-Based Pooled Funds (CBPF) through participation in meetings and workshops. 

5-Contracting management and other activities; 

• Ensure the grant Agreement/amendment is processed on time and signed by relevant signatories. 
• Any other tasks as assigned by Supervisor. 

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of different aspects of humanitarian response, public information and communication. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions. Ability to conceptualize, design and implement major information campaigns. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. 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.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• 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.
• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
• Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently
• Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, or related field is required.

OR

• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

• Minimum 2 years with a master’s degree or 4 years with bachelor's degree of relevant experience in finance and accounting/administration, crisis/emergency program management or other related area.
• At least two years with a UN organization or an NGO is required. 
• Excellent analytical and writing skills are desirable. 
• Experience with project budgeting and proposal writing is desirable. 
• Experience with auditing and/or financial spot-check of partners is desirable. 
• Experience and knowledge of accounting systems, procurement, and human resources management is desirable.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNOCHA values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNOCHA is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNOCHA does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Probation

For all new UNOCHA fixed-term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNOCHA under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNOCHA reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNOCHA at the same grade level and with a similar job description, experience, and educational requirements.

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