The Finance Group (FG) is a critical and strategic business function in UNOPS and serves as an authoritative and integrated partner in the organization on strategic financial planning and budgeting, business strategy and practices, financial analysis and risk assessment, financial management services and long term organisational treasury and investments. As the steward of resources of a self-financing UN entity, FG is accountable for timely cost recovery and reporting to partners, maintaining the integrity and transparency of financial management of resources in accordance with the highest standards of ethics and organisational/international accountability framework and the accurate and transparent financial reporting to governing bodies, clients, partners and stakeholders.
The role holder will act as the team lead to the Treasury Middle Office, and support the management of UNOPS’ banking, investment, and cash management operations, as well as knowledge and team management. The role holder will monitor cash positions, improve cash management accuracy, review payment routing, assist with payment issue escalation, oversee bank reconciliations, effect payment instructions, support statement and payment connectivity, review bank charges and interest postings, and contribute to books closure processes. Additionally, the role involves building banking relationships, advising field offices on cash management solutions, monitoring prepayment and petty cash accounts, and ensuring compliance with UNOPS policies.
The Finance Specialist Middle office reports to the Head of Treasury Middle Office and Control, in the Treasury & Investment Management team.
1. Banking and Cash Management (Operations & Control)
Monitor cash positions and cash forecasting across UNOPS global bank accounts in all currencies, and address any inaccuracies.
Support initiatives to systematically improve the accuracy of cash management and forecasting.
Review the Payment Bank Matrix to ensure UNOPS’ payments are routed successfully and cost-effectively.
Assist the Shared Services Centre Payment Factory team in escalating severe or recurring payment issues (rejections, returns, errors, duplications, etc.).
Support Treasury Control to oversee the monthly bank-to-book reconciliation of UNOPS’ bank accounts done by the Shared Services Centre Bank Reconciliation team.
Support the Bank Reconciliation team on resolution of any escalated issues.
Effect payment instructions by signing or approving transfer orders, bank instructions, and cheques for treasury activities, or other operations where required.
Support the statement and payment connectivity with banks (SWIFT or H2H connectivity) in collaboration with the Finance Senior Analyst - Middle Office, Finance Specialist - Treasury Solutions, and ICT.
Review, approve and monitor bank charges and bank interest postings.
Contribute to the quarterly and annual processes around the books closure processes performed by the Financial Statements & UNBOA Relations team.
2. Banking Relations and Field Advisory
In collaboration with the Front Office, support the establishment, management, and maintenance of arrangements with commercial banks and multilateral institutions to effect cost-effective and secure payments.
Support Front Office to complete the opening and closure of bank accounts in TMS and ERP, as well as the maintenance of UNOPS bank accounts.
Continuously build the treasury relationship with regional and local offices relating to banking and cash management solutions for projects.
Support Front Office to advise field offices in the usage of project cash management instruments or project related payment reviews (e.g., operational advances, petty cash, credit, and prepaid cards, prepayments, mobile payments, and cash delivery).
Monitor the performance of prepayment, petty cash accounts, and operational advances.
Assist field offices with advice on queries related to project cash management instruments.
3. Risk Management and Compliance
Review and approve financial transactions in compliance with UNOPS’ policies.
Develop dashboards, monitor risks, and provide analyses on banking & cash management matters to the CFO, Deputy CFO, and Treasurer.
Monitor and manage the access to banking portals for UNOPS’ accounts.
Monitor UNOPS’ signatory panels and initiate any changes required.
Monitor the dual signature of cheques used by UNOPS.
Lead, coordinate, and oversee daily and timely execution of financial transactions in the Treasury Management System (TMS).
Perform systematic risk assessments of cash management instruments used by Field Offices (e.g., operational advances, petty cash, credit/prepaid cards).
Report Treasury KPI/KRI regularly.
Assist on audit requests.
4. Treasury Systems and Processes
Review and approve changes to the Treasury Management System’s (TMS) core data, and contribute to the management of the same.
Review and approve financial transactions in compliance with UNOPS’ policies.
Formulate business requirements of banking and cash management for new processes or features in the ERP, the TMS, or other treasury related systems.
Contribute innovative ideas in relation to treasury processes, solutions, tools, or systems.
Contribute to the improvement of banking policies and guidelines.
Contribute to the year-end closure process and in the preparation of the year-end financial statements for assigned areas.
5. Team Leadership and Knowledge Management
Lead the team and shape it to maximize the Treasury Middle Office function for UNOPS in collaboration with the Head of Middle Office & Control.
Establish team priorities and supervise the implementation of the Middle Office work plan.
Define clear objectives, performance measurements, and standards to ensure the delivery of timely, client-focused services.
Promote collaboration by providing the team with direction and guidance, enabling them to perform duties responsibly and efficiently.
Contribute practical knowledge to the enhancement of practice policies and procedural developments.
Drive innovation by recommending process efficiency initiatives and incorporating financial services best practices into UNOPS operations.
Actively contribute to global knowledge sharing by maintaining information systems and disseminating best practices across regions.
Support organizational development by facilitating a framework for sharing lessons learned, ensuring knowledge is utilized to the fullest extent.
Plan and implement capacity-building initiatives for personnel, clients, and stakeholders.
Provide comprehensive training on organizational processes, rules, policies, and systems where appropriate and applicable
Foster a positive, inclusive work environment that respects diversity and ensures the highest standards of conduct are observed.
