Background Information - Afghanistan
1. Background Information: UNOPS
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.
UNOPS Afghanistan
With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. UNOPS AFCO activities currently cover a range of sectors, including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services.
The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCOโs mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services at all times, in all places, and in all circumstances in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.
Project Information
In November 2023, ADB approved the Verification of Claims and Expenditures Project (VCEP) to conduct a verification of outstanding claims from contractors, consultants, suppliers and project management offices for the works and services completed in Afghanistan under ADB-financed and administered projects prior to 15 August 2021. UNOPS is the executing agency for VCEP.
The main objective of VCEP is to verify claims from contractors, consultants and suppliers for works and services completed prior to 15 August 2021 under different types of contracts, including civil works, supply of goods and consulting services in Afghanistan. VCEP also includes a verification of advances provided to contractors, consultants and suppliers and eligible expenditures incurred by the project management offices prior to 15 August 2021 under ADB-financed and administered projects.
Background Information - Job-specificJob-Specific Information
UNOPS is seeking a Finance Senior Officer to support the project Finance Specialist in: scrutinize, assess and evaluate documentation in relation to the financial aspects of the claims for payments in reference to the above project description. The Finance Officer will be working alongside the Finance Specialist, the Contract Management Specialist in order to support the verification of the amounts due to be paid to each contractor, consultant, supplier or project-affected person and the verification of expenses incurred under projectsโ advance accounts.
This position will be supervised by the Project Finance Specialist to support the implementation of the project.
2. Summary of Key Functions
Contribute to the verification of a large number of claims for payment against Contracts (both national and international suppliers/contractors/consultants), in terms of financial related aspects.
Support the verification of documents required for the liquidation of funds disbursed to projectsโ advance accounts to finance eligible expenditures relating to small-scale community-based contracts, Project Management Offices (PMOs) staff salaries and operating expenses, and land acquisition and resettlement (LAR) compensation payments.
Contribute to the review of the supporting documents to liquidate expenses incurred before 15 August 2021 relating to LAR compensation made to project-affected people, payments made to contractors and consultants, administrative expenses, and salaries of PMO staff.
Related to Output 1: Outstanding invoices for civil works, consulting, and non-consulting services confirmed and certificates secured
4. Contribute to the collection and review of Withdrawal Applications (WAs), all relevant records, outstanding invoices and supporting documents, and requests for contract verifications and scrutinize whether expenditures were in accordance with the contractsโ terms and conditions, for the grantsโ intended purposes, and eligible for financing
5. Contribute to the review and reconciliation of WAs and other payment documents to identify the amounts of the retention monies to be reimbursed to contractors of civil works in accordance with ADBโs Loan Disbursement Handbook, 2022.
6. Support the review of advance payments disbursed to contractors, consultants, suppliers, and PMO staff and the reconciliation with the verified outstanding payments
7. Based on the review and verification of the outstanding invoices, and physical confirmation (by other team members) of the works, goods, and services, contribute to recalculation, and reconciliation with the amounts of the invoices, submitted by contractors, consultants, and suppliers
8. Under the guidance of the Finance specialist, contribute to the following tasks in coordination and collaboration with the Legal Advisor, Contract Management Specialist and Legal component of the team:
Related to Output 2: Expenses incurred under projectsโ advance accounts verified, and compensations and entitlements to affected people under certain projects confirmed
9. Support the review of supporting documents available in the PMOs of Executing/Implementing Agencies (EA/IAs) to confirm the eligibility of expenses incurred by PMOs for the works, goods, and services, administrative expenses, and salaries financed from the projectsโ advance accounts
10. Contribute to the preparation of reconciliation statements, including reconciling physical amounts available in the banks, check if there was any cash withdrawals after freeze periods and any cash movements in the advance accounts.
11. Contribute to identifying unliquidated amounts from the advance accounts and ineligible payments in close coordination with ADB, obtaining a certification of the unliquidated amounts and other supporting documents from the EA/IAs, obtaining bank statements for each advance account to confirm the outstanding amounts in the bank accounts per project, and contribute to securing EA/IAs confirmation that the unliquidated amounts will be returned
12. Contribute to obtaining confirmation from the EA/IAs that there are no pending payments for the works and services, or ineligible payments (if identified).
13. Support the review and verification of the documentation available (including Third-Party Monitor report) across stakeholders related to the payments of the eligible compensation made and to be made to the affected people for land acquisition and resettlement (LAR) payments, health and safety issues
14. Contribute to the assessment of the eligible outstanding compensations to be paid to the projects affected people, to bring the projects back into compliance
Knowledge Management and Innovation
15. Interact with local team to explain, in conformity to Contracts, what data/type of informations/documentation is necessary to support the substantiation of the financial component of the claims
16. Interact with local team in order to explain the process to follow, in order to properly address the financial related aspects of the claims for payment
17. Brainstorm and collaborate with the team in the creation of โalternativeโ ways of producing the evidence or another necessary documentation (financial related aspects) to the claims verification when the usual evidence and documentation are not available
18. Support risk analysis and contingency options if possible when the โalternativeโ ways of producing the evidence or another necessary documentation are adopted
19. Participate when necessary to the negotiations meetings with suppliers/contractors
20. If required, along with teams coordinators, support in the planning and coordination activities, and follow up on progress and quality of the products provided by the team members
21. Support the Finance Specialist in the draft of reports and other documentation necessary both internally at UNOPS and for external stakeholders management and updates
22. Participate in work planning, and promotion of learning and development.
23. Contribute to the organization of training and learning initiatives for personnel on finance related topics.
24. Support the Finance Specialist in communicating financial information in a clear and understandable manner to non-financial stakeholders.
25. Any other task assigned by the Finance Specialist.
Please note that the nature of this role requires flexibility in adapting to the needs of the team since the objective of alignment of Contracts details, local situation and habits, local law and other factors might generate unexpected needs.
3. Qualifications and Experience
a. Education
Advanced University Degree (Master Degree or equivalent) in Finance, Business Administration, Management or other relevant discipline First level University degree (Bachelorโs Degree or equivalent) in Finance, Business Administration, Management or other relevant discipline in combination with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree Professional qualifications such as CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CA (Chartered Accountant) or similar professional accounting bodies would be a strong asset.
b. Work Experience
A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience level in financial management and or financial analysis and reporting and/or budget preparation is required; Within relevant experience, a minimum of one (1) year of professional-level experience in accounting is required with a strong preference for the accounting component of claims, contract variations, liquidation of expenses, certification of works or equivalent. Experience of FIDIC (International Federation of Consulting Engineers) Conditions of Contract is an asset Experience in implementing projects funded by the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) is an asset. Experience in the use of electronic systems is required. Skills in budget preparation, financial reporting, coordination, and report writing is an asset. Experience in developing countries or post-conflict environments is an asset. Familiarity with the country context and programme/project regions is an asset.c. Languages
Fluent in English (read, write and speak) is required Fluent in Dari, Pasto (read, write and speak) is required Contract type, level and durationContract type: ICA
Contract level: Local ICA-9
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA โ โOpen-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.โ For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Competencies
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
Terms and Conditions
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.