ACBAR

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management, and human resources.

Working with us

We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.

Job Specific Context

The Financial Verification and Reconciliation Specialist will play a crucial role in the Afghanistan ADB Verification of Claims and Expenditures Project (VCEP). This project aims to verify outstanding claims from contractors, consultants, suppliers, and project management offices for works and services completed under ADB-financed projects prior to 15 August 2021. The Specialist will scrutinize financial documentation, assess expenditures, and reconcile amounts due, working closely with contract management specialists and sector teams to ensure accurate and eligible payments.

Role Purpose

The Financial Verification and Reconciliation Specialist conducts substantive analysis, judges the validity of conclusions, and synthesizes proposals to meet demands related to the financial aspects of claims for payments under the Afghanistan ADB Verification of Claims and Expenditures Project (VCEP).

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Verification of Claims from Contractors/Suppliers/Consultants  

• Collect and review the Withdrawal Applications (WAs), outstanding invoices, supporting documents, and requests for contract verifications, and assess whether expenditures were in accordance with the contracts’ terms and conditions, for the grants’ intended purposes, and eligible for financing.

• Review the advance payments disbursed to contractors/consultants/suppliers, and reconcile with the verified outstanding payments.

• Based on the review and verification of the outstanding invoices, and physical confirmation (by other team members) of the works, goods, and services, reconcile the amounts of the invoices, submitted by contractors, consultants and suppliers.

• In consultation with the Finance Specialist, Contract Management Specialist and Legal component of the team, identify the amount of taxes and other duties to be paid by contractors, consultants and suppliers eligible for inclusion in the claim. 

2. Reconciliation and Verification of Advance Accounts and Related Pending Liabilities  

• Collect and review the supporting documents available in the PMOs of Executing/Implementing Agencies (EA/IAs) to confirm the eligibility of expenses incurred by PMOs for the works, goods, and services, administrative expenses, and salaries financed from the projects’ advance accounts. 

• Identify unliquidated amounts from the advance accounts and contribute to securing EA/IAs confirmation that the unliquidated amounts will be returned.

• Reconcile the unliquidated balances with the fund balances as per bank statements of the advance accounts available in the banks and identification of any withdrawals or cash movements in the advance accounts after freeze periods.

• Determine the eligible amounts for liquidation against the project's advance accounts after verifying supporting documents for the payments made from the project's advance accounts 

• Verify the pending liabilities against advance accounts including PMO salaries, individual consultants’ claims and other PMO expenses.

• Confirm with the EA/IAs that there are no pending payments for the works and services.

• In collaboration with the VCEP’s safeguard team, review and verify the documentation available across stakeholders related to payments of eligible compensation made or to be made to the affected people for Land Acquisition and Resettlement (LAR), health and safety issues.

3. Knowledge Management and Innovation

• Support the implementation of new modules in the MIS enabling the processing and monitoring of payments to contractors/suppliers/consultants.

• Contribute to knowledge management activities to ensure that project experiences and learning are documented.

• Interact with the team to explain, in conformity to contracts, what data/type of information/ documentation is necessary to support the substantiation of the financial component of claims.

• Interact with the team to explain the process to follow in order to properly address the financial related aspects of the claims for payment.

• Brainstorm and collaborate with the team to create alternative ways of producing evidence or necessary documentation when standard documentation is not available.

• If required, along with team coordinators, support planning and coordination activities, and follow up on progress and quality of outputs  from team members.

• Support the supervisor in producing reports and other documentation necessary for internal UNOPS use and external stakeholder management.

• Participate in recruitment, work planning, performance management, coaching, and promotion of learning and development.

• Perform any other task assigned by the supervisor.

Note: The nature of this role requires flexibility in adapting to team needs, as alignment of contract details, local conditions, local law(s), and other factors  may generate unexpected requirements.

Skills

Contract Management, Data Analysis, Financial Accounting, Financial Reporting, Report Writing, Budgeting

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

• Advanced University Degree (Master Degree or equivalent) in Finance, Management, Business/Public Administration, or other relevant discipline with 2 years of relevant experience. 

• A first-level University degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in Finance, Management, Business/Public Administration, or other relevant discipline with 4 years of relevant experience.

Desired

• Professional qualifications such as CPA or CA

Experience Requirements

Required

• Minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in finance and accounting.

• Experience in the financial accounting component of claims, contract variations, liquidation of expenses, certification of works or equivalent. 

• Experience in implementing projects funded by International Financial Institutions (IFIs).

Desired

• Experience in developing countries or post-conflict environments. 

• Familiarity with the country context and programme/project regions.

Language Requirements

Language     Proficiency      LevelRequirement 

  English           Fluent               Required

Please click on the below link for actual vacancy announcement to see the complete details and submission guideline as this is only an attempt for attracting female applicants for gender parity in organization. Please make sure you fill your profile/application properly with all relevant details in order to be considered for the next stage of recruitment/selection.

https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/Senior-Project-Manager-Infrastructure/1362    

https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/Senior-Project-Manager-Infrastructure/1362