About United Nations University

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States. For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU’s work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals’ full breadth, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit http://unu.edu.

About United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA)

The United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA) is one of fourteen Research and training Institutes that comprise the think tanks in the UNU system. The mission of UNU-INRA is to strengthen the capacity of Africa’s universities and research institutions to conduct research and produce well-trained, well-equipped and motivated individuals, capable of developing, adapting and disseminating technologies that advance food security, promote conservation and efficient use of the

continent’s natural resources for sustainable development. For more information, please visit www.inra.unu.edu.

Terms of Reference

Under the direct supervision of the Director of UNU-INRA, and functional guidance of the Deputy Director of Administration at UNU-HQ, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

1. Control and approval of financial transactions
• Controlling and approving financial transactions; goods and receipt of purchased items, invoice verification and ensure proper archiving of financial records and all related documentation.

2. Provision and co-ordination of financial transactions
• Ensuring accuracy and compliance with approved budgetary allocations; run periodic reports from the ERP systems in order to assist in the preparation of regular and ad hoc budgetary updates.

3. Budget Administration
• Monitors budget implementation and recommends reallocation of funds as necessary;
• Monitors expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels;
• Reviews requisitions for goods and services to ensure (a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged, and (b) availability of funds;
• Administers and monitors extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures;
• Prepares budget performance submissions;
• Prepares and reviews budget performance reports and provide advice on the finalization of these reports, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.

4. Project Management Support
• Supporting all financial related operations related to projects from design to project closure;
• Preparation of technical and financial reports;
• Undertakes actions related to partners including ensuring compliance with contractual obligations in relation financial reporting, recording keeping, audit, procurement and management of assets, conducting reviews and spot checks on reported costs and ensuring funds are provided as required.

5. Planning, co-ordination and implementation of financial operations
• Planning and implementing the finance operations, including the areas of financial planning/budgeting, accounting, and control;
• Processes (or approves) financial transactions in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, analyses and reconcile accounts, proposes/implements solutions with respect to new and non-routine financial transactions
• Supporting financial operations relating to staff travel; premises and staff accommodation; security; and communications in accordance with United Nations’ Financial Regulations and Rules;
• Coordinating the monthly and annual closing of accounts

6. Procurement Support and Implementation
• Supporting the procurement activities for the institutes, including sourcing, solicitation, contract and vendor management and inventory management
• Performs other related duties as required by the Director.

Competencies

Values:

• Inclusion — take action to create an environment of dignity and respect for all, regardless of age, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, geography, grade, language, nationality, racial identity, religion, sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, social origin or any other aspect of identity
• Integrity — act ethically, demonstrating the standards of conduct of the United Nations and taking prompt action in case of witnessing unprofessional or unethical behaviour, or any other breach of UN standards
• Humility — demonstrate self-awareness and willingness to learn from others
• Humanity — act according to the purposes of the United Nations: peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet

Behaviours:

• Connect and collaborate — build positive relationships with others to advance the work of the United Nations and work coherently as One UN
• Analyse and plan — seek out and use data from a wide range of sources to understand problems, inform decision-making, propose evidence-based solutions and plan action
• Deliver results with positive impact — hold oneself and others accountable for delivering results and making a positive difference to the people and causes that the United Nations serves
• Learn and develop — pursue own learning and development and contribute to the learning and development of others
• Adapt and innovate — demonstrate flexibility, agility and the ability to think and act in novel ways

• A Master’s degree in a business discipline with a financial and accounting emphasis or a related discipline. A certification from internationally recognized accounting body (Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Accountant etc.) is an asset;
• Minimum of five years relevant, progressively responsible work experience in financial management in the UN, including budgeting;
• Experience in programme management is required;
• In-depth knowledge of accounting regulations, and IPSAS is an asset.
• Proficiency in accounting systems, MS Office Applications (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) is required;.
• The ideal candidate must be proficient and highly experienced in financial management operations, literate in UN related ERP tools such as Atlas and have experience applying UN financial and procurement rules.
• They must be also be process savvy, possess management skills and demonstrate a capacity for taking and implementing decisions which apply to overall efficient operational management.
• The ideal candidate is dynamic, proactive, entrepreneurial and forward looking, has good problem-solving skills, has sound business and commercial awareness.
• Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Attention to details, coupled with the ability to anticipate and take preemptive mitigative measures.
• Demonstrated interest in research, environmental issues, and natural resource management would be positive.
• Excellent communication skills, with fluency in both oral and written English.
• Knowledge of local language(s) desirable. Good working knowledge of French would be an advantage.

Duration of contract

The successful candidate will be retained under a Consultant Contract (CTC) for the above-mentioned project for 6 months initially, with the possibility of extension depending on funding and performance. Consultants engaged by UNU may not provide services for more than twenty-four (24) months in a thirty-six (36) month period.

Proposed payment schedule

Monthly lump sum payment will be made on a monthly basis, inclusive of all fees, upon submission of time sheet and monthly progress report against the quarterly work plan.

​Travel considerations

Should “mission travel” be required, UNU will pay for travel. However, this will be subject to the following prerequisites: Medical Clearance, Security Clearance through the Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) system, completion of the BSAFE online course, travel Visa, and liability waiver. Trip prerequisites will be met at the expense of the consultant.

Travel cost will be calculated based on economy class travel, regardless of the length of travel. Costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals must not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rates, as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC at http://icsc.un.org).

Expected start date: 
1st October 2022

How to Apply:

To apply to UNU, you will not need an account. Instead, we ask that you:

• Apply via the apply link;
• fill out the UNU P11 form (please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organisations);
• provide a motivation statement (in the P11 form); and
• answer a few questions that are tailored to the position.

You may wish to refer to the UN Values and Behaviours Framework for more information.

Application Deadline: 30th June 2022

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a desk review and/or a competency-based interview, background checks and references.

Special notice

UNU does not sponsor a working visa for this position.

Consultants do not hold international civil servant status nor are they considered a “staff member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations.

UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged.

UNU has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam warning

UNU does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.