Job description

The Position:

The Finance Assistant position is located in the Arab States Regional Office (ASRO). Under the overall guidance of the International Operational Manager (IOM) and direct supervision of the Finance Associate. The Finance Assistant provides high-quality services in areas of finance and budget with accuracy and consistency and in compliance with the relevant rules, guidelines, processes, and procedures. She/He takes a client-oriented, results-focused approach to interpreting the rules, procedures, and guidelines and provides support and guidance to ASRO in the area of finance.  

The Finance Assistant works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme, and Projects’ staff in the RO and may work with UNDP staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery. 

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning, ending preventable maternal deaths, ending gender-based violence and harmful practices, and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building, and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.
 

Job Purpose:

In support of UNFPA’s strategic direction at the regional level, contribute to building regional capacity and ensuring effective and efficient application of country offices' resources within the region through support and monitoring regional resources in the following activities: 

• Finance 
• Budget

Working internal partners include ASRO; close collaboration within the Operations Team, COs, and Division/Branches at HQs to resolve policy and procedural issues and region-specific issues. 

External partners include UNDP, other UN agencies, vendors, and other non-UN partners that are essential to the work of the office of the IOM.

You would be responsible for:

• Ensures implementation of operational strategies focusing on achievement of the following results: 
• In coordination with the Finance Associate, assist the IOM in the efficient management of the RO’s financial and budgetary applications, adherence to financial controls and corporate financial policies, and rules and regulations;  
• Liaise with the Programme/Technical Team on finance to ensure all payments have completed supporting documents and reconcile issues related to the financial accountability dashboard.
• Assist in the development and monitoring of the budget for the operations and managing the institutional budget
• Manage travel payments, reconciliations, and audit-submitted expenses and maintain continuous oversight through updated travel tracking reports. 
• Review and verify account statements from suppliers and vendors and ensure timely action is taken to clear any aging balances and control administrative expenses and payment to suppliers. 
• Assist monitoring of receivables (petrol advances, staff advances)
• Ensure the clearance of all suspense accounts (petty cash, cash advances, etc.) 
• Prepare documentation and monitor the reimbursements due from staff receivables and ensure timely recovery.
• Support in following up for the recurring payment request that should be received from the admin/procurement unit.
• Ensure all payment requirements are compiled, including the review of the use of the general ledger account codes, and processed in a timely manner
• In collaboration with the Finance Associate, assist in the review and manage the Fund Authorization and Certification of Expenditure (FACE) by ensuring complete documentation from the Implementing Partners as per established policy, in collaboration with the programme staff. 
• Maintenance of a proper filing system for finance records and documents
• Support on tracking and following up with UNDP on ASRO’s pending payments. Submission of checks to vendors and responding to their inquiries. 
• Provides assistance in year-end closure activities, assets and liabilities, and balance sheet statements. 
• Supports the monthly and quarterly reports. 
• Back-stopping to Finance Associate. 
• Perform any other duties as may be required by the management of the RO to ensure seamless administrative support to the Regional office and its component  offices 

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

High School Diploma  

Knowledge and Experience: 

• 5 years of financial and administrative experience in the public or private sector 
• Ability to interpret financial rules, regulations, and procedures and explain them clearly and concisely
• Experience of accounting framework and systems, specifically ERP systems, and proficiency in use of spreadsheets, word processing, and computerized accounting systems; 
• Good writing and communication skills; 

Languages: 

Fluency in oral and written English and Arabic. 

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change
   

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Functional Competencies:

• Job knowledge and technical expertise
• Superior written reporting skills, oral reporting skills
• Attention to detail
• Meticulousin adhering to donor requirements
• Good time management skills
   

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity, and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.