Finance Officer

H (no hardship)

FamilyFamily

NOC

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

June 17 2025

Finance Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
In the Regional Bureaux the incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Regional Controller or Senior Finance Officer and in functional coordination with DFAMs Accounts and Financial Service (AFS). In the Country or Multi-Country Offices the incumbent may be supervised by a Senior Finance Officer Assistant Representative (Admin) Head of Sub-Office or other senior positions as delegated by the Representative.

The incumbent is responsible for co-ordinating guiding monitoring advising on and supporting the financial operations in the area of responsibility (AoR). With the objective to safeguard and optimize the utilization of UNHCRs monetary and physical resources the incumbent contributes to the establishment of efficient and reliable mechanisms and processes to ensure compliance with UN financial regulations and UNHCRs rules policies and procedures including and not limited to accounts payable and treasury processes accounting and implementation of internal control mechanisms including support to oversight and audit functions.

The incumbent also identifies and manages risks under their responsibility in close coordination with the Risk Management and Compliance Advisor. In the Regional Bureaux the incumbent supports the work of the Regional Controller with authority to discuss problems and seek common ground on which to recommend solutions based on predetermined guidelines provided by higher authority.

The incumbent may directly supervise professional and general service staff.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter UN Staff Regulations and Rules UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core functional cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCRs core values of professionalism integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- Oversee and guide integrated financial management and reporting for the area of responsibility (AoR).
- Assess review and ensure application of finance-related policies instructions procedures etc.
- Provide advice to management regarding the application of financial policies and procedures and when necessary coordinate with the Regional Controller or Office of the Controller as applicable regarding the interpretation of such policies and procedures.
- Ensure accounting records are correct and reliable including and not limited to timely bank reconciliations maintenance of open items timely processing of travel financial transactions clearance of residual requisitions and purchase order balance.
- In close coordination with the AFS support the preparation and review of donor financial reports and endorse such reports before submission to donors.
- Ensure monthly and yearly closing as well as any other periodic accounting-related processes are executed in a timely and accurate manner.
- Ensure the maintenance and on-going validity of the Delegation of Authority Plan (DOAP).
- Ensure that payments made are timely and accurately and all month-end and year-end cut-off processes are implemented in line with relevant guidance.
- Supervise the preparation of financial reports monitoring and supervising expenditures with respect to approved budgets and work plans.
- Ensure that local bank account administration and associated cash management functions are performed in adherence to financial guidelines
- Perform financial management and control related to Cash-Based Interventions in adherence to financial guidelines.
- Review and certify vouchers including ABOD and project disbursements;
- Perform project control functions for both directly and indirectly implemented activities in the absence of a dedicated project control position
- Coordinate review and endorse responses to audit queries from internal and external audits and ensure the implementation of accounting audit recommendations.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other relevant duties as required.

Regional financial services applicable to positions in the Regional Bureau only
- In coordination with relevant services in HQ and to improve cost-effectiveness and process efficiency for operations implement and manage regional finance-related services such as: vendor and other related master data management and maintenance invoice posting travel claim processing payments bank reconciliations accounting housekeeping and period cut-off activities donor financial reporting etc.
- Make proposals for the continuous improvement of financial monitoring and control mechanisms including the streamlining of financial systems and procedures.
- In coordination with DFAMs Change Management and Field Support Section and the Global Learning and Development Centre identify and provide training on accounting matters and recommend or develop training modules as necessary aiming at the development of financial management skills.
- In close liaison with DFAMs System Administration Section and other divisions as necessary provide and plan activities for rollout of new processes or systems; assist the Regional Controller in monitoring the implementing internal control mechanisms and compliance with UNHCRs financial policies and procedures in the region.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Accounting; Finance; Public or Business Administration;
Economics; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Professional accounting auditing or financial management designation (CPA/ACCA/CIA/CMA or equivalent)
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Work experience in the field of accounting/finance project management business analysis quality assurance and/or risk management. Excellent knowledge of and experience in working with international accounting and auditing standards with a minimum of two years of practical experience in the audit process and/or in financial statements preparation. Working experience with accrual accounting (such as IPSAS or IFRS). Excellent understanding and/or experience of financial modules a major Enterprise Resource Planning system (such as PeopleSoft SAP or Oracle). Good understanding of project and resource management. Excellent computer skills in particular in MS Office applications especially MS-excel. Excellent communication and negotiation skills. Experience of managing people in multinational/multicultural environments.

Desirable
Good knowledge of UNHCR systems (such as Focus and MSRP). Excellent knowledge of United Nations financial rules and procedures.

Functional Skills
FI-General Financial Management
FI-Financial auditing
FI-International Auditing Standards
FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRSIPSASetc)
FI-Financial Accounting - Modified cash-based accounting as per international standards
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse harassment including sexual harassment sexism gender inequality discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening shortlisting and selection of candidates.

The successful candidate is required to have experience and solid understanding of technical financial and admin-related management processes to support his/her team directly as well as a strategic level of understanding and approach for his/her own decisions and advising senior management.

The Finance Officer in CO Athens oversees Admin Finance and ICT and should have experience of managing teams. S/he will maintain close coordination with others heads of unit and staff in the field and ensure oversight and risk-based simplification of processes which support the operation and respond to the national context and offices capabilities. While there is no UNCT/HCT there is a UN coordination structure and the incumbent should maintain formal and informal relations with UN counterparts aiming at adopting a coordinated approach which leads to efficiencies in procurement and other services. With UNHCR currently hosting some UN entities in its premises the ability to coordinate and find commonalities is all the more important.

The Finance Officer is also the main interface with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance in certain aspects of UNHCRs operation e.g. visas privileges and immunities tax exemptions etc.

Therefore the incumbent should demonstrate strong coordination skills diplomacy and organizational awareness maturity client-orientation as well as teamwork and management skills. Solid experience in finance and/or admin in the UN is a must experience with UNHCRs transformation process would be an invaluable asset.

Given the centrality of this position in the Greek operation the successful candidate must speak and write Greek at mother tongue standard.

This is a National Professional Officer position. National Professional Officers should be of the nationality of the country where the office concerned is located. This position requires Functional Clearance.

Greek

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station please visit: of Position:

Currently some 150000 asylum-seekers and refugees are hosted in Greece. In 2024 some 62000 people arrived either by sea or land. UNHCR provides expert advice to the State and evidence-based information that helps inform programmes and policies for asylum-seekers and refugees. Access to international protection identifying durable solutions and support to vulnerable asylum-seekers and refugees such as unaccompanied children and survivors of gender-based violence are UNHCRs key also works with national and local authorities the private sector civil society and refugee communities to advance protection solutions and inclusion develop support networks and create employability and training opportunities for refugees. The Office retains a readiness to respond to emergencies and new arrivals with a focus on immediate support to the most vulnerable. UNHCR Greece plays a strong advocacy role since continued support is needed particularly from EU countries and EU institutions in providing immediate protection to those most at-risk through sufficient resources ensuring capacity in the country and responsibility-sharing. UNHCR will continue to assist Greek authorities in responding to both short and long-term challenges.

The Finance Officer in CO Athens oversees not only Finance but also Administration and ICT. The position is based in CO Athens and may involve some travel. The Greek financial and administrative context is complex and marked by heavy and detailed processes. The Finance Officer who is the risk management alternate focal point and also acts as audit focal point for the operation will report to the Representative but will work in close collaboration with others in particular the Deputy Representative and the Supply and Programme Units.

Living and Working Conditions:

Athens is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens is a family duty station classified as H by ICSC. Public Transportation and medical facilities are well-developed and easily accessible. The educational institutions at all levels as well as international schools are available. The climate can be described as Mediterranean with hot and dry summers and cool and mild winters.

In accordance with UNDSS security risk assessment the whole Greek operation is classified as Security Level 2 (low). Security Clearance is required for travelling in the country.

For more detailed information please consult the continuously updated living conditions booklet on Intranet.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

AD-Contracts and invoice management AD-Facility Management AD-Monitor administrative and staff budget AD-Petty cash management AD-Supply requisition and purchase order administration BU-Budget and Financial Management FI-Application of Financial Rules Regulations and Procedures FI-Management Accounting (Controlling Activity Based Cost (ABC) etc.) TV-Travel-related ERP systems and processes TV-UN/UNHCR Travel policy and procedures UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules Regulations and Procedures

Education

Bachelor of Arts: Accounting Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration Bachelor of Arts: Economics Bachelor of Arts: Finance Bachelor of Arts: Public Administration

Certifications

Accounting - Other Auditing - Other Financial Management - Other

Work Experience

Administration Finance

Competencies

Accountability Analytical thinking Client & results orientation Commitment to continuous learning Communication Empowering & building trust Judgement & decision making Managing performance Managing resource Negotiation & conflict resolution Organizational awareness Political awareness Teamwork & collaboration

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Additional Information

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and will have to undergo an oral interview.

Functional clearance

This position requires Functional Clearance