Jobs at United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

Programme of Education for Emergencies and Reconstruction in Horn of Africa and Great Lakes

Closing date: 26 Jun 2009

Location: Kenya - Travel to PEER countries of interventionUnited Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation - Regional Programme of Education for Emergencies and Reconstruction (PEER)

Post Title: Senior Finance Assistant

Duty Station: Nairobi with short missions to PEER countries of intervention

Grade: Service Contract (L7)

Duration: One year (1) renewable

Closing Date: 26 June 2009

Under the overall authority of the Head of Office, the direct supervision of the Administrative Officer (AO), UNESCO PEER Nairobi, and in close cooperation with other PEER programme and administrative staff, the incumbent shall serve as UNESCO PEER finance focal person.

In accordance with UNESCO and UN rules and regulations and administrative procedures, The incumbent will perform the following duties and responsibilities, in particular:

A. Responsibilities and Duties
In close cooperation with the AO, satellite offices and other concerned entities, review financial procedures, assist in the preparation of PEER budgets, annual work plans, and ensure that effective and efficient budget controls are in place.
Assist the AO to liaise with internal and external auditors as required for audit purposes.
Assist AO in creation and modification of FRNs, monitoring of projects funds and other implementation indicators /benchmarks (FL 17, GL 19).
Acts as approving officer (not certifying officer) for any payments.
Assist in supervision of the reconciliations, updating of cashbooks, petty cash accounts and prepare financial reports to HQ and Donor reports.
Assist the AO to manage, monitor, and ensure adequate processing of accounting transactions within the limits of project approved budgets and funds allocated through the UNESCO Regular Programme budget..
Participate in the preparation of, recommendations pertaining to financial matters, and ensure effective and efficient implementation of an appropriate control of mechanism of PEER operations in Nairobi and other counties of PEER intervention.
Provide guidance, assistance, and supervision to PEER accounting and finance staff responsible for extra budgetary funded projects and decentralized regular program activities in Nairobi and in other antenna offices.
Assist the AO in preparating/drafting, and analyzing monthly imprests,monitoring suspense accounts in order to ensure nil balance at all times and reconcile accounts receivable/payable for all PEER projects.
Undertake the task of identifying all un-liquidated obligations and un-recorded expenses for submission to HQ, to enable the start and closing of projects.
Ensure that PEER bank accounts always have adequate positive balances and assist in requesting replenishments of the Programme accounts from HQ as per UNESCO guidelines.
Prepare administration monthly office imprest accounts for Nairobi & antenna offices within the time limit prescribed by the Head Quarters, and assist the AO with funds transfer to and from, and monitor funds allocated and expenses in antenna offices.
Support maintenance of accurate ledger accounts; updated records of all funds received and expenses for all PEER funds.
Assist in monitoring of expenses through obligations of project budgets in coordination with the AO, follow-up with antenna offices, and ensure proper documentation of all projects and Programme accounting administrative and financial files, This includes but is not limited to

maintaining excel sheets of funds transferred to the antenna offices against expenditure returns of funds advanced by PEER Nairobi for accurate records,

keeping proper records of all financial transactions,

ensuring tight and thorough budgetary controls of all Programmes funds, and

preparing/issuing any related documentation in any given timeline.

Assist in the needs assessment and training of programme support staff in accounting, administrative, and financial operations in accordance with UNESCO/UN rules and regulations and administrative procedures.

Assist in monitoring and reporting on monthly, quarterly, and annual budgets and other projections for PEER antenna offices in order to optimize the use of the Programme resources..

Liaise with Logistics Officer in order to ensure proper inventory of PEER assets as per UNESCO rules and regulations, and to ensure regular update of the inventory of all Programme assets with the correct budget codes.

Participate in PEER team building activity, and undertake any other tasks the Coordinator & Head of office and Administrative Officer might request.


Profile:
University degree in relevant field and/or qualification in Accounting.
At least 5 years of relevant and progressive professional experience. (Knowledge of UNESCO or UN accounting systems, and Emergency operations will be an added advantage.
Ability to work independently and to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and other partners with different cultural backgrounds.
Excellent knowledge of English (both written and spoken);
Ability to work and deliver under pressure, and in different environments;
Analytical and IT skills necessary.

How to apply
When applying, please send application to PEER @ unesco.org.

Candidates without access to internet may send paper application.

All applications must include a dully filled P.11 form, an updated CV, and a letter of intent in English to PEER Administrative Office, UNESCO PEER.

Address:
UN COMPLEX GIGIRI,
Block C room-109.
P.O.BOX 30592 – 00100,
Nairobi,

before June 26, 2009, 14:00 hours (PM).