Associate Finance Officer

April 29 2026

A (least hardship)

Family

NOB

National Professional Officer

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 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 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
Education & Professional Work Experience
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 Focus and MSRP). 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.

The ideal candidate will be a finance professional with a strong foundation in accounting financial management and internal controls combined with practical experience in ERP systems within an international or UN organizational environment. The candidate should demonstrate sound judgment attention to detail and the ability to operate effectively in a results driven and compliance focused setting.

Professional Qualifications (As a requirement)

Professional accounting auditing or financial management certification is required such as CPA ACCA CIA or CMA.
Solid knowledge of financial rules regulations IPSAS principles and internal control frameworks applicable to international organizations.

Relevant experience should be in finance accounting audit budgeting or financial management preferably within the UN system international organizations or similarly complex institutional environments.

Technical and Systems Experience

Proven experience working with ERP systems with a strong asset being hands on exposure to:
oWorkday ERP
oCOMPASS and/or
oOracle Cloud across multiple modules
Ability to analyze financial data support financial reporting and ensure accuracy and compliance across end to end financial processes.

Managerial and Interpersonal Competencies

Supervisory or team coordination experience is an asset including the ability to guide staff within the MENA region review work outputs and contribute to capacity building initiatives within the region.
Strong analytical organizational and problem solving skills with the ability to manage competing priorities under tight deadlines.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain financial matters clearly to non finance colleagues and contribute constructively to multidisciplinary teams across the MENA region.

Professional Attributes:

High standards of integrity accountability and professionalism.
Demonstrated commitment to compliance accuracy and audit readiness.
Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively within a team and multicultural work environment.

The shortlisted candidates will be invited to undertake an eliminatory written assessment. Only those who successfully pass this assessment will be invited to proceed to the interview stage

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

The Finance Team at the Regional Bureau for Middle East and North Africa provides support and oversight roles (2nd Line) on financial activities of UNHCR Country Operations in MENA Region. Since this position has regional coverage the incumbent is expected to provide regional support and oversight for all country operations in MENA region. The incumbent is expected to monitor financial transactions and prepare reports on data analysis and trends for the whole MENA region as well as to identify related risks and propose mitigation measures. The incumbent is expected to play an instrumental role in sharing knowledge and delivering regional trainings.

With many challenges in the region the engagement requires considerable technical support and analyses. To be able to perform the above

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

DM-Data Collection and Analysis EL-Monitoring and Evaluation FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP Oracle PeopleSoft Workday and other) FI-Financial Accounting - Modified cash-based accounting as per international standards FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRSIPSASetc) PM-Project Monitoring

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

Additional Information

This position doesnt require a functional clearance