Finance Specialist - Financial Statements and Board of Auditors relations

The Finance Group serves as a strategic partner and fiduciary advisor, ensuring transparent, accountable, and effective resource management across UNOPS. The Group defines financial strategy in alignment with organizational goals, establishes finance policies, systems, and processes, and leads corporate budgeting to enable full cost recovery and ensure long-term financial sustainability. Throughout the project lifecycle, the Finance Group provides expert guidance, oversight, and tailored financial solutions. Responsibilities include delivering comprehensive financial and corporate performance reporting, strengthening financial capacity across the organization, and continuously enhancing resource planning and allocation. In addition, the Finance Group prepares and oversees the implementation of finance-related policies, upholding the highest standards of financial stewardship and supporting UNOPS in achieving operational excellence and fiscal responsibility.

The Finance Specialist reports to the Head of Financial Statements and UNBOA Relations who provides broad supervision and guidance. The Finance Specialist is responsible for efficient financial reporting  and the provision of accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial information for preparation of the financial statement.  He/she analyzes and interprets the financial rules and regulations and the applicable accounting standards (IPSAS) and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues and General Ledger transactions. The Finance Specialist supervises support personnel and  promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations.

1. GENERAL CORPORATE ACCOUNTING

• Regularly review and monitor financial transactions in General Ledger for accuracy, appropriate accounting treatment according to UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations and other applicable Organization Directives and Operational Instructions.
• Monitor and coordinate monthly and quarterly closure of General Ledger modules and sub-modules.
• Prepare quarterly analysis and  management report on General Ledger reconciliations, key issues and main finding
• Manage and coordinate automation projects of General Ledger modules with ICT and related counterparts.
• Review and approve transactions and provide expert advice on use of appropriate General Ledger accounts and related accounting treatment according to IPSAS guidelines.
• Prepare analysis and feedback to queries from internal and external stakeholders related to Accounting transactions and consolidate list of improvements for implementation on regular intervals.
• Plan and coordinate timely implementation of Year End Closure processes with related counterparts.
• Prepare analysis and working files to support preparation of corporate financial statements

2. FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT AND MONITORING

• Exercise regular control and oversight on General Ledger’s transactions carried out by counterparts. Test accuracy, appropriateness of transactions recorded in General Ledger in accordance with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations and other applicable Organizational Directives and Operational Instructions.
• Sample transactions areas, scrutinize supporting documents for accuracy, completeness and conformance to applicable accounting treatment.
• Collaborate in risk management related to financial transactions and support implementation of necessary measures to ensure accuracy and completeness of financial data in General Ledger 
• Consolidate common issues identified during oversight exercise. Identify recurring trends and areas of improvement in processes and develop improvement plans to address them.
• Monitor progress and implementation of milestones and deadlines regarding monthly, quarterly and year end closure.
• Validate GL reconciliation and bank reconciliations on regular intervals.    
• Identify system and process areas requiring improvement and enhancement and suggest plans to contribute towards a strong control environment around financial reporting.

3. INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL AUDIT  COORDINATION

• Prepare analysis and tables to support preparation of corporate financial statements.
• Prepare ad-hoc, audit related reports and analysis to be submitted to the UN Board of Auditors, UNOPS Executive Board and UNOPS management.
• Prepare analysis reports of corporate financial statements and evaluation of trends, changes to components of corporate financial statements.
• Provide support to the Head of Financial Statements and UNBOA Relations during Internal and External audit processes.
• Monitor follow-up actions on both Internal and External audit recommendations with the relevant practices in HQ and field offices.
• Under the guidance of the Head of Financial Statements and UNBOA Relations, Consolidate internal audit recommendations across organizations and draw holistic plans to address common and regular areas of improvement.  Develop a lesson learned log and create preventative measures in processes and systems.

4. CAPACITY BUILDING / SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT 

• Implement a plan for automation of financial processes and enhancement of system controls.
• Consolidate training needs of finance practitioners in field offices. Analyze lessons learned log and develop training plan for implementation to address learning needs in area of specialization.
• Support process documentation and continuous improvements in the corporate document management system (PQMS).
• Focal point and product owner for the Financial Accounting module in the UNOPS ERP system (OneUNOPS).
• Develop innovative solutions to optimize financial processes and reduce manual work.
• Providing guidance and advice to finance practitioners in the area of financial accounting, interpretation and operational guidance on the application of the Accounting standards and UNOPS FRR.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in Finance, Accounting, Financial Management or a related field is required.  with 7 years of relevant experience OR
• A Master's Degree  (or equivalent) in any of the above disciplines with 5 years of relevant experience is required.
• Professional certification in accounting (CA, CPA, ACCA, ACA, CIMA, etc.), audit (CIA) or equivalent is required.

Required

• Relevant experience is defined as working experience within an international environment in the areas of financial reporting, audit and accounting.
• A thorough knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is required.
• Excellent computer skills and ability to use software tools to present data and reporting clearly and concisely is required.
• Experience working across different teams, explain financial details clearly, and build strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders is required.

Desired

• Knowledge and experience in ERP system developments and process improvements and automation is considered an asset.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click 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.