Under the direct supervision of the functional supervisor and the overall direction of the Finance Advisor, the Finance Specialist will support the Finance Advisor in maintaining a robust control environment. The incumbent acts as a key bridge between HQ-level policy and field execution, ensuring financial integrity and excellence in client-facing performance.The role contributes to the finance vision of being a true business partner to UNOPS projects, by providing advice and governance of project financial reporting and closure.
The incumbent will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.
Important Considerations:
These Terms of Reference are generic and indicative. Not all tasks listed may be required, and additional duties may be assigned as appropriate and consistent with the scope of services.
This recruitment aims to fill an ongoing, full-time position. Depending on actual needs, the hiring unit may decide to recruit endorsed qualified professionals for contracts with different working conditions (short/long term, part/full-time, retainer, regular or ongoing positions).
The Finance Specialist plans, manages and leads project and office financial operations, ensuring integrity, transparency and compliance with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRRs), IPSAS standards, and donor/ partner requirements. The role provides guidance on budgeting, cash management, cost recovery, financial reporting, and internal controls, while strengthening the financial management capacity of project and field teams.
The effective and successful achievement of results by the Finance Specialist directly have an impact on the overall execution of the UNOPS financial services. Accurate analysis and presentation of financial information ensures proper financial processes in the organization.
1. Provision of strategic support to NYPO
2. Management of Client Project Financial Closure & Verification of Final Financial Report
3. Project Fund Management and Budget Approvals
4. Lead Partner Financial Reporting, refinement, and capacity building
5. Client reporting and other project finance-related aspects
6. Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing/ Team Management
Provision of Strategic Support to NYPO
Develop Finance/Budget annual work plan, setting of priorities and planning of work in line with corporate goals and business planning process for NYPO projects.
Monitor and analyze the operating environment to ensure adequate agility, risk management and quick readjustment of the operations as needed
Reduce reputational risk by ensuring NYPO’s financial reporting requirements are met
Lead internal and external audit exercises and accountability for financial audit recommendations.
Act as the practice specialist by contributing to corporate strategy requirements, and to corporate recommendations made by Finance Group
Drive finance function initiatives to ensure added value and optimal support across NYPO, as well as the achievement of the Strategic Objectives
Contribute with specialist financial knowledge to long-term strategy of NYPO’s business efficiencies
Ensure financial records are maintained and available on file for review by clients upon request.
Lead the revision of LSS models and manage financial conversations with clients regarding cost recovery.
Support monthly LSS budget monitoring and communicate deviations to relevant teams
Management of Client Project Financial Closure & Verification of Final Financial Report
This includes the preparation of partner-related Final Financial Reports focusing on the achievement of the following results:
Lead financial closure activities, ensuring all activities conclude within agreed financial limits.
Ensure that project financial closure activities are initiated in a timely manner to guarantee efficient project budget management.
Responsible for verifying the Final Financial Reports (FFR) for the accurate and timely closure of client projects, in charge of requesting corrections and/or clarification where needed, and ensuring that the final financial reports are tailored to partner-specific needs and share the certified reports with the related field office after the approval of the report.
Ensure that the FFR issued are in full compliance with UNOPS’ rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and partner-reporting requirements as agreed in the legal agreement and/or in the global agreement between UNOPS and the partner.
Support for any project audit/verification to identify transactions, prepare documentation etc.
Any other project financial closure and verification tasks as necessary.
Project Fund Management and Budget Approvals
Review and release internal (project) budgets, including cost estimates and budget revisions in line with the approved budgets at engagement/legal agreement level.
Verify the completeness and accuracy of the supporting documentation for advance financing requests and ensure the associated financial risks are mitigated as much as possible. Submits received requests transparently with a recommendation for action to senior management where applicable
Track project budgets and conduct detailed variance analyses to identify risks to budget adherence.
Ensuring that advance financing is recovered as it becomes due according to the terms of their approval. Escalate cases that can not be recovered as per the original plan, with a recommendation of action to senior management.
Process refunds/transfer of surplus project cash balances once the partner has accepted the Final Financial Reports, as and when needed. The refunds are based on the approved FFRs, and the incumbent is expected to verify the correct banking information for the cash transfer to the partner.
Process refunds/transfer of surplus project cash balances for ongoing projects.
Liaise with FG colleagues to process exceptional financial closure, including application of balances to the unclaimed balance account and oversight of balances on the account.
Any other project fund management and budget management tasks as necessary.
Lead Partner Financial Reporting, refinement, and capacity building
Provides support through tools and reports on the project financial closure process performance.
Serve as a “third line of defense” regarding payroll payments to ensure compliance with client DoAs.
Provides support through tools on the project financial reporting performance.
Provides support through tools and reports on the refund/transfer process and the exceptional closure balances.
Support the establishment and implementation of an effective expenditure control framework, ensuring that vouchers are matched, verified, and cleared in accordance with financial rules.
Proposes solutions to resolve issues linked to the financial reporting and closure of partner projects, e.g. delay in partner responses, late submission of reports, etc.
Advise management on financial accountability mechanisms, including full-cost recovery and spending limit oversight.
Client reporting and other project finance-related aspects
Prepare, review and analyze monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports for management and donors, ensuring accuracy and adherence to reporting timelines.
Support the preparation of client financial statements, interim financial reports (IFRs), and delivery reports in line with contractual and audit requirements.
Develop and maintain financial dashboards and reporting tools for portfolio oversight and performance analysis.
Ensure reports are timely, accurate, and compliant with donor requirements and funding agreements.
Act as the main point of contact for clients’ financial queries and requests for information.
Coordinate with clients to ensure data collection and reporting follow agreed formats and timelines
Contribute to the annual financial closure process, ensuring all accounts are reconciled and adjustments made in compliance with UNOPS standards.
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing/ Team Management
Serve as Officer-in-Charge (OIC) when the Finance Advisor is unavailable.
Participate in strategic meetings, such as Steering Committees and Quarterly Assurance Meetings, to provide financial guidance.
Ensure financial strategies align with project priorities and external donor expectations.
Foster knowledge building by sharing best practices and contributing to financial SOP development.
Assists in training of colleagues upon requests from portfolio managers, the supervisor and other finance officers on project finance management.
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
