Org. Setting and Reporting

These positions are located in the Crisis Response Division (CRD), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA’s mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions. This multiple duty station temporary job opening is being advertised for two (2) positions of Finance Officer and is located in OCHA Humanitarian Financing Units in Nairobi (Kenya) and Panama City (Panama). Under the overall supervision of OCHA Head of Office, the incumbent reports to the Head of Humanitarian Finance Unit/Fund Manager or envelope manager. The Humanitarian Fund Units in OCHA Regional and Country Offices manage multi-donor country-based pooled funds under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator and/or Humanitarian Coordinator. These funds receive unearmarked contributions from donors. The funds are allocated to humanitarian actors for ongoing humanitarian operations and to respond to new emergencies. The Finance Officer may supervise staff. The incumbent is expected to surge to other countries in the region as needed and at short notice.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Finance Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Verify Implementing Partners (IP) financial documentation as required;
• Liaise with companies carrying out financial audit of partners and financial spot-checks ensuring compliance with the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules (UNFRR);
• Review grant agreements and supporting documents to ensure accuracy, consistency, reasonableness, compliance with the UNFRR and the Country-based Pooled Funds guidelines;
• Review and advise on the clearance of the project budget and grant agreements;
• Review and advice on budget amendments or no-cost extension requests;
• Review and audit financial report to make sure that it is in line with the signed agreement and project budget;
• Maintain complete, accurate and updated detailed list of disbursements to IP;
• Regular follow-up with IP to obtain financial reports;
• Review of interim and financial reports and confirm the amount for additional disbursements;
• Initiate the process to ensure disbursements as required and follow-up on an reimbursements;
• Conduct financial spot-checks in line with the operational modalities;
• Oversee the audit process including facilitation of the contracting of external auditing companies, supporting the planning, advice on the clearance of audit reports and ensuring follow-up of critical audit findings;
• Support IP regarding compliance with the UNFRR and the Guidelines for HFU;
• Ensure compliance with any other requirements stemming from the UINFRR, grant agreements and guidelines;
• Maintain complete and update cash flows for the Fund, and inform the HoO on a regular basis and upon request on the availability of cash balance;
• Support Fund analysis for informing future allocations;
• Prepare financial analysis for standard and ad-hoc reporting requirements;
• Provide input for the preparation of HFU Annual Reports;
• Ensure timely financial reporting in compliance with donors requirements;
• Liaise with relevant OCHA sections in HQ;
• Perform other related duties, as assigned;
• Stay up-to-date on documents / reports / guidelines that have bearing on matters related to programme and / or OCHA budgets, ensuring compliance with United Nations policies and procedures. Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of humanitarian, emergency relief assistance and related humanitarian issues. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to develop sources for data collection. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, work under pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g., civil strife, natural disasters, and human misery). Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Education An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job – Specific Qualification Not available. Work Experience A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in finance, administration, budget, business administration or related area is required. Experience in Humanitarian Financing and/or risk and compliance is desirable. Experience in the region(s) where the positions are based is desirable. Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Spanish is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details). Required Languages Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking English UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III Desirable Languages Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking Spanish UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice This temporary job opening (TJO) is published for two (2) positions and are located in Nairobi (Kenya) and Panama City (Panama). These positions are temporarily available until 31 December 2026 with the possibility of extension, subject to availability of funds. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Selected candidates are expected to start as soon as possible. Please note that…