Senior Finance Assistant

Organizational Context

The Senior Finance Assistant is supervised by a senior finance colleague, receiving guidance on work objectives. The role involves processing financial transactions and maintaining frequent contact with internal staff and external bank officials to exchange information. All UNHCR staff are accountable for their duties, adhering to UNHCR's policies and core values.

Job Purpose

The Senior Finance Assistant supports the processing of financial transactions, maintaining accurate financial records for assigned project or office accounts. This includes recording receipts and payments, ensuring computational accuracy and document completeness, and monitoring allotments against obligations. The role involves preparing recurring and special financial reports to highlight issues or provide requested information. Additionally, the incumbent calculates cost estimates, projects budget requirements, and assists in budget statement preparation. They also handle routine correspondence, liaise with local banks for account clarifications, and brief new staff on basic financial procedures, entitlements, and banking requirements. The position also involves initiating correspondence to verify data and obtain necessary financial information, while supporting risk management and opportunity identification within their area of responsibility.

Responsibilities

The Senior Finance Assistant is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records for assigned project or office accounts, including recording receipts and payments, ensuring computational accuracy, and verifying document completeness. They monitor the status of allotments against obligations and prepare recurring reports on assigned accounts, identifying any problems arising from excess costs or lower-than-expected receipts. The role also involves preparing special reports as needed for clarification or other reasons. The incumbent calculates and compiles cost estimates and projected budget requirements, assisting in the preparation of budget statements for their area of assignment. They prepare routine correspondence and maintain contact with relevant parties to discuss account-related matters. Maintaining contact with local banks to clarify questions regarding office bank accounts is also a key responsibility. Furthermore, the Senior Finance Assistant briefs and assists new staff on basic financial procedures, payment processes, entitlements, banking provisions, and other account-related requirements. They initiate correspondence to verify data, answer queries, and obtain additional information on accounts and financial transactions. The role includes supporting the identification and management of risks and seeking opportunities that impact objectives, ensuring risk-based decision-making in their functional area, and escalating risks, issues, and concerns to supervisors or colleagues.

Work Experience

2 years of relevant experience with a High School Diploma, or 1 year of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree or equivalent.

Skills

Financial Record Maintenance Transaction Processing Report Preparation Budget Calculation Cost Estimation Correspondence Handling Bank Liaison Financial Procedure Briefing Data Verification Risk Management ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday) Microsoft Office Productivity Software

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