Associate Finance Officer

March 9 2026

A (least hardship)

FamilyFamily

PR2

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Associate 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 the Division of Resource Management (DRM)s Admin Finance and Treasury Service (AFTS). In the Country or Multi-Country Offices the incumbent may be supervised by a Senior Finance Officer Assistant Representative - Administration Head of Sub-Office or other senior positions as delegated by the Representative.
The incumbent is responsible for coordinating 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 may support the supervisor with the identification and management of risks under their responsibility in close coordination with the Risk Management and Compliance 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 national 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 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
- Contribute to the assessment of budgetary needs for administrative budgets (ABOD); monitor and control ABOD expenditure.
- Analyse evaluate and control disbursements/receipts as well as expenditure variances against approved budgets.
- Review and approve vouchers including ABOD and project disbursements.
- Propose monthly cash requirements for the Office and ensure adequate and timely replenishments of funds.
- Contribute to the preparation and processing of monthly accounts.
- Provide financial status reports to supervisors.
- Analyse and evaluate all financial reports produced on a regular basis.
- Maintain effective business relationships with local banks.
- Assist in ensuring compliance with UNHCR and UN Financial Regulations and Rules policies and procedures.
- Ensure that payments are effectuated by the monthly deadline.
- Ensure that monthly accounts are correct and approved and ensure timely monthly bank reconciliations including open items review and clearance of unwanted requisitions and PO balances.
- Conduct regular checks of petty cash and cash accounts.
- Perform project control functions in the absence of a dedicated project control position.
- Participate in the physical verification of UNHCRs local property plant and equipment (PPE) and inventories.
- Verify that all financial transactions are correct and in accordance with UNHCR rules and procedures.
- In the absence of a senior finance position ensure compliance with applicable financial rules policies and procedures.
- In the absence of a senior finance position certify country-level financial expenditure reports submitted to the regional office or Headquarters.

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 assist with the implementation and management of 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 DRM and Field Support Section 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 DRM System Administration Section and other divisions as necessary assist the provision and planning of 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.

- 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 related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year 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. Good knowledge of and experience in working with international accounting and auditing standards with a minimum of 1 year of practical experience in the audit process and/or in financial statements preparation. Working experience with accrual accounting (such as IPSAS or IFRS). Experience with financial modules of a major Enterprise Resource Planning system (such as PeopleSoft SAP or Oracle). Good understanding of project and resource management.

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

Functional Skills
FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP Oracle PeopleSoft Workday and other)
FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRSIPSASetc)
PM-Project Monitoring
DM-Data Collection and Analysis
EL-Monitoring and Evaluation
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.

Essential Attributes
The ideal candidate is proactive adaptable and able to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic operational environment. Strong communication organizational and analytical skills are essential. The candidate must possess
Advanced data analysis capabilities including expert-level Excel proficiency (particularly pivot tables) and hands on experience with Cloud ERP systems and COMPASS which are indispensable for this role.
S/he should be fully conversant with using existing BI reports and with performing analytical work based on large volumes of data drawn from such reports.
A solid understanding of financial rules regulations and policiesboth at a procedural and transactional levelis crucial to support process optimization.
The candidate must have demonstrated experience in accounting financial analysis financial reporting and compliance budgeting forecasting and preparation of financial statements.
Experience in analyzing budgets expenditures donor earmarked funds and the financial impact of global inflation.
Practical experience in reviewing and approving financial supporting documentsincluding payroll staff entitlements final payments travel claims vendor invoices and payments to implementing partnersis required ensuring compliance with UN Staff Rules Financial Regulations and Rules IPSAS and other applicable policy frameworks.
The candidate must be able to prepare and monitor administrative budgets assess budgetary needs and support audit exercises.
A general understanding of accrual accounting (IPSAS/IFRS) and familiarity with the Procure to Pay cycleincluding requisitions purchase orders and vendor managementis expected.
As the role includes Administration responsibilities the candidate should also demonstrate experience in office administration vendor/supplier contract management mission travel management supervision of activities concerned with office and grounds maintenance security transport cleaning and IT services overseeing protocol activities preparation of accurate financial statements vendor and UN agency liaison and strong overall administrative skills.
S/he should have firm experience in coordination with UN Agencies and the OMT service providers such as travel agents building management protocol authorities customs tax office and suppliers as well as a solid understanding of planning and reporting cycles and procurement processes.
Strong abilities in ABOD budget oversight and optimization and the efficient management of assets facilities fleet travel protocol and low value procurement are essential. Ability to establish and maintain administrative control mechanisms to ensure compliance with UN rules and strengthen internal controls is necessary.
Previous managerial experience (including capacity building skills) of a small sized team is required.
Desirable attributes:
Ability to support the HR functions in absence of HR Officer through monitoring personnel processes facilitating recruitment of General Service staff advising on HR procedures.
Ability to establish and maintain administrative control mechanisms to ensure compliance with UN rules and strengthen internal controls is necessary.
Knowledge of FleetWave Cloud ERP travel processes is an advantage

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

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

The general situation in Southern Africa remains calm. The region is in the process of operationalizing the Global Compact on Refugees with a focus on applying comprehensive refugee responses through a regional approach. However increasing movements of asylum seekers from other parts of Africa and Asia continue to raise concerns among authorities leading to challenges in access to territory and asylum procedures in several countries. This has resulted in significant backlogs in refugee status determination (RSD) compounded by mixed migratory flows. Meanwhile the Indian Ocean States do not have established asylum systems due to their non-accession to the 1951 Refugee Convention. UNHCR is promoting accession to international and regional refugee instruments in these countries while also enhancing efforts to find comprehensive solutions that ease pressure on host nations.

The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Representative. The incumbent is responsible for coordinating guiding monitoring advising on and supporting the financial and administrative operation at SAMCO. 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 supports the Representative with the identification and management of risks under their responsibility in close coordination with the Risk Management colleagues at Bureau/HQ level. The incumbent will ensure that the established IPSAS compliance monitoring and Internal Control Framework (ICF) is fully implemented and any deviations are documented and reported. The Assistant Finance Officer may also perform oversight responsibilities with regard to the execution of projects. The incumbent directly supervises general service staff.

Living and Working Conditions:

Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province in South Africa. It is one of the countrys two capital cities serving as the executive (administrative) and de facto national capital. The other is Cape Town the legislative capital. The Central Business District (CBD) of Pretoria has been the traditional center of government and commerce although today many corporate offices small businesses shops and government departments are situated in the sprawling suburbs of the city rather than the CBD. The city has a population of approximatelywith an influx of foreign nationals. Pretoria has over the years had very diverse cultural influences and this is reflected in the architectural styles that can be found in the city. The main languages spoken in Pretoria are Pedi Afrikaans Tswana Tsonga Zulu and English. Ndebele and Sotho are also widely spoken. The living class in Pretoria can be classified as middle to high income earners.
The living conditions in South Africa are generally very good. Housing and basic commodities are readily available. The country has an abundance of health providers of all sectors. The countrys infrastructure and communication facilities are of international standard and are amongst the best in the African continent. Crime continues to be of concern. Burglaries (house break-ins) and car-jacking are common. ATM fraud is also rampant as well as cyber-crime - financial related.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

Certifications

Accounting - Other Auditing - Other Financial Management - Other

Competencies

Accountability Client & results orientation Commitment to continuous learning Communication Empowering & building trust Organizational awareness Planning & organizing Teamwork & collaboration

Bi-Annual 2026 Compendium - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance