Finance Assistant

Background

UNDP in Cyprus provides a diverse package of programmatic services to a range of partners which contribute to building a conducive environment for the peace process. In collaboration with the European Union and other partners, UNDP has earned a reputation as an independent, trusted and experienced partner in the area of peacebuilding, working with Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots on confidence-building measures, encouraging dialogue and cooperation, and supporting the development of environmental, economic and social infrastructure of the island. In particular, the implementation of the confidence-building measures contributes to the building of trust between the two communities while demonstrating to the public at large that the two communities can work together on critical issues that are of importance to all inhabitants of Cyprus.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. 

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. Learn more at or follow at @UNDP.

The Agreement of 21 March 2008 reached between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), paved the way for the establishment of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH), dedicated to the identification, promotion and protection of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Cyprus. The TCCH is composed of an equal number of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot experts. The TCCH works to provide a mutually acceptable mechanism for the implementation of practical measures for the proper preservation, physical protection and restoration (including research, study and survey) of the immovable cultural heritage of Cyprus. The TCCH is operating under the UN auspices and its work is an important tool for building confidence between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots. The TCCH is supported in its work by an Advisory Board (AB), which was established in 2009 and is composed of archaeologists, architects, art historians and town planners from both communities. 

Duties and Responsibilities

1.)   Support implementation of operational strategies.

•   Ensure full compliance of financial processes and financial records with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) and strategies.

•   Provide input to the Finance unit and office management in preparing and reviewing office business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal standard operating procedures in finance in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management. 

2.)  Provide accounting and administrative support to the Finance unit.

•   Provide support in ensuring proper control of the supporting documents for payment invoices and proper document management including systematic archiving. 

•   Prepare financial reports for projects and management funds/budget balance. 

•   Prepare all types of invoices for projects and on behalf of the office.

•   Maintain a proper filing system for finance records and documents.

•   Maintain the internal expenditures control system which ensures that invoices processed are matched and completed; transactions are correctly recorded and posted in ERP; and travel claims and other entitlements are duly processed.

•   Provide information on the status of financial resources as required.

•   Take timely corrective actions on unposted invoices, including invoices with validation errors, match exceptions, and/or unapproved invoices.

•   Manage cash receipts and petty cash.

•   Maintain the Accounts Receivables for projects in ERP.

3.)  Support functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system.

•   Provide inputs for preparation of cost-recovery and Direct Project Costs (DPC) bills in ERP for the services provided by UNDP, and follow up on cost recovery.

4.)  Ensure proper functioning of CO cash and Treasury management systems.

•   Identify and record contributions.

•   Prepare timely and accurate bank reconciliations and provide documentation to GSSC according to service level agreement.  Initiate bank transfers and deals in ERP. 

5.)   Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO.

•   Participate in the training for the operations/ projects staff on finance.

•   Provide contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:  None

Competencies

Core 

Achieve Results: 

​​LEVEL 1: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work​ 

Think Innovatively: 

​​LEVEL 1: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking​ 

Learn Continuously: 

​​LEVEL 1: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning​ 

Adapt with Agility: 

​​LEVEL 1: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process​ 

Act with Determination:  

​​LEVEL 1: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously​ 

Engage and Partner: 

​​LEVEL 1: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships​ 

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: 

​​LEVEL 1: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making ​ 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Thematic Area 

Name 

Definition 

Business Management

Customer Satisfaction/Client Management

• Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns

Business Development

Knowledge Generation 

• Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need

Business Management

Working with Evidence and Data 

• Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making

Administration & Operations

Documents and Records Management     

• Overall document (hard or electronic) management; registry and retention policy including storing and archiving

Finance

Accounting (General)

• Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, regulations, policies and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.

Finance

Financial Reporting and Analysis 

• Ability to extract, evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful and coherent manner to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring. 

Finance

Audit 

• Ability to examine and verify accounts and records 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education with specialized certification in accounting and/or finance. A university degree in finance or accounting is desirable. Part-qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage. 
• Candidates with accountancy certification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage. 

Experience:

• 5 years (with high school diploma) or 2 years (with bachelor's degree) of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience at the national or international level is required.

Required skills and competencies:

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Desired additional skills and competencies:

• Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS is desired.

Required Language(s) (at working level):

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in Greek and/or Turkish is required. 

Other:

• Nationals or others legally authorized to work in Cyprus are eligible. (country of citizenship or place of permanent residence)
• Women candidates and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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