Finance Assistant
Organizational Context
This Finance Assistant position is based in the Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean (ROPAN) in Panama City, Panama, within the Division for Operations of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The role operates under the guidance of the UNODC ROPAN Representative and the direct supervision of the Assistant Administrative Officer.
Job Purpose
The Finance Assistant is responsible for providing comprehensive financial and administrative support within the UNODC Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean (ROPAN) in Panama. This includes processing service payments for goods, services, consultants, vendors, and staff reimbursements, ensuring compliance with UN Financial Regulations and Rules. The role involves managing fund commitments, reconciling inter-office vouchers, monitoring payment statuses, and acting as Petty Cash Custodian. Additionally, the incumbent will liaise with UN Financial Services, compile financial data for analysis and reporting using systems like Umoja, assist in budget preparation, and support administrative and logistical functions. The purpose is to ensure efficient and accurate financial operations and administrative support for the office's projects and activities.
Responsibilities
The Finance Assistant manages the processing of all service payments for goods, services, consultants, vendors, UN service providers, implementing partners, and staff reimbursements, adhering to UN Financial Regulations and Rules. Key duties include preparing fund commitments, reconciling inter-office vouchers, monitoring payment statuses, identifying and resolving exceptions, and serving as Petty Cash Custodian. The role involves liaising with UN Financial Services for clearing receivables and net payments. The incumbent will compile and analyze financial data from systems like Umoja and SharePoint to review outstanding commitments, advances, and GR/IR balances, assisting with year-end reports and financial exercises. Responsibilities also include reviewing and analyzing ROPAN accounts, preparing accounting vouchers, conducting financial data analysis, assisting with non-core budget estimates, and preparing data presentations. Administrative duties encompass supporting office logistics, project implementation, procurement plans, drafting correspondence, maintaining financial records, and preparing presentation materials.
Work Experience
A minimum of three years of progressive experience in finance, accounting, budget, administrative services, or procurement support is required. This minimum is reduced to one year for candidates with a first-level university degree. Experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is mandatory. Experience with SAP-based financial systems like Umoja, including payment processing and financial reporting, is desirable.
Skills
Professionalism, Teamwork, Client Orientation, financial rules and regulations, record keeping, data interpretation and analysis, financial reporting, database management, Umoja/SAP systems, administrative support, logistical services, procurement support, correspondence drafting, file management.