Date: 18 March 2008

Vacancy Announcement No-2008-03-13

Post Title:                                             Finance Assistant

Organizational Unit:                         United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

                                                              Country Office for Afghanistan

Number of posts:                                 Two

Type of Appointment:                          SC5/6

Duty Station:                                       Kabul

Duration:                                               Initially 6 months ( probation period) with the possibility of renewal for one year

Closing date:                                       02 April 2008

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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall guidance of the UNODC Representative and direct supervision of the Administrative/Finance Expert, the Finance Assistant provides financial services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. The Finance Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UN rules and regulations and in particularly carries out the following duties:

1.         To effect payment vouchers in FOML (Process, Disbursement,) ensuring accuracy of entries.

2.         To assist in processing of staff entitlements (salaries, travel claims, MPOs, overtime,etc.)

3.         To review voucher reconciliation, prepare adjustment of entries as required before preparation of financial statements.

4.         To act as Imprest fund custodian, ensure proper safe-keeping and processing of cash payments according to the UN rules and regulations.

5.         To maintain the cash flow monitoring files for the purpose of monitoring.

6.         To prepare daily opening and closing balance of cash and maintain "Cash in safe" report.

7.         To liaise with UNDP/Banks regarding outstanding payments/adjustments.

8.         To draft/prepare correspondence to respond to enquiries in respect to relevant financial and budget matters.

9.         Proper control of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports for projects; preparation of all types of vouchers, purchase orders, purchase obligations.

10.      To review, reconcile and process a range of accounting transactions on a regular and recurring basis.

11.      To be responsible for preparation of cash-flow statements   on periodical basis

12.      To provide assistance in issuing of financial documents, i.e. Request for Advance and payment's calculation.

13.      To review the Expenditure Reports to ascertain the codes reflected in the reports are complied with the project budget, import of data to the ProFi system;

14.      To notify payees of status of payments.

15.      Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded .

16.      Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.

17.      Maintenance of the proper filing system for finance records and documents

18.      To assist in the preparation of UN semi-annual and year-end financial statements.

19.      To assist in ensuring that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained.

20.      To briefs and assists international staff, experts and consultants on basic financial procedures and requirements with respect to payments, entitlements, banking and currency provisions and other requirements related to accounts and finance.

21.      To assist in update of finance and personnel database upon getting of budget allocations from HQ;

22.      To provide backstopping and technical support to Finance Unit team.

23.      To perform any other tasks upon request of the Supervisor, Admin Expert, Deputy Representative and l Representative

COMPETENCIES AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

Corporate Competencies

Ø         Demonstrates commitment to UNODC's mission, vision and values

Ø         Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning

Ø         Shares knowledge and experience

Ø         Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ø         Ability to perform a variety of standard tasks related to financial resources management, including screening and collecting documentation, financial data processing, filing, provision of information

Ø         Good knowledge of financial rules and regulations, accounting

Ø         Strong IT skills

Ø         Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system

Leadership and Self-Management

Ø         Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback

Ø         Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude

Ø         Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Secondary Education with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance.

University Degree in Business or Public Administration desirable, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

3 to 5 years of relevant finance experience at the national or international level is required.

Languages:

Good commend on English, Dari and Pashto

Other Skills:

Good Knowledge of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems

Submission of Application:

Interested Afghan nationals may submit their application for the post along with CV and/or UN Personal History form (P11) in electronic format to coafg.vacancies@unodc.org   or by hard copy in a sealed envelope marked "confidential" to the UNODC country office for Afghanistan at the following address:

House No.   257, Street No. 149, District 4, Zone 1, Kolola Pushta Kabul, Afghanistan

Please note that applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration and only short-listed candidates will be called for an interview.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply