Hardship LevelB
Family TypeFamily
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeGS7
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2025-09-01
Deadline for ApplicationsAugust 11, 2025
Standard Job Description
Senior Finance Associate
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Finance Associate is normally supervised by the (Senior) Finance Officer who defines general work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance. The incumbent also refers to UNHCR Manuals and relevant policy papers on financial issues. The incumbent works quite independently on regular assignments with an oversight from the supervisor.
The incumbent assists with the processing of financial transactions. S/he keeps frequent contact with staff at various levels in the office and with bank officials to exchange information. The incumbent normally supervises some support staff.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
- Oversees the processing of financial transactions and reconciliations in line with relevant policies and procedures.
- Provide financial reports as per financial guidelines and when required.
- Maintain ledgers and accounting records for classification and recording of financial transactions and for the reconciliation of accounts and preparation of recurring or special reports.
- Ensure timely and accurate calculation and payment of salaries, allowances, travel claims and other payments to staff members, experts and consultants, vendors and other claimants.
- Contribute to the preparation and processing of monthly accounts.
- Prepare financial data for budget estimates and financial planning.
- Ensure reconciliation of cash books with bank statements.
- Maintain liaison with officials of local banks and financial institutions to obtain day-to-day information on exchange and interest rates, changes in procedures and regulations, and matters pertaining to maintenance of office bank accounts.
- Assist colleagues in all aspects of accounts maintenance and budget control by providing reports on financial status, procedures, exchange rates, costs and expenditures and potential funding problems.
- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G7 - 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Finance; Business Administration; Accounting;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specifed.
Desirable
Knowledge and work experience of MSRP Finance applications. Good knowledge of UN/UNHCR Financial rules and procedures. Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to the functions of the position.
Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
*IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile Operational Context
UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to support States to ensure that everyone forced to flee can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).
In Zambia, UNHCR supports the Government of Zambia to provide an enabling protection environment that allows asylum-seekers, refugees and former refugees to be protected, be self-reliant and achieve durable solutions.
Zambia has adopted a comprehensive refugee response approach, as outlined in the New York Declaration (2016) and the Global Compact on Refugees (2018), which guide the countryโs refugee and asylum response. This framework promotes an all-of-society approach, emphasizing strong investment and international support to address both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term socio-economic development solutions for forcibly displaced and local host communities. In fulfilling its mandate, UNHCR proactively pursues and advocates for sustainable responses that not only meet urgent needs but also foster long-term benefits, in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This approach integrates economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection to ensure present needs are met without compromising the well-being of future generations.
Zambia is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, reaffirming its commitment to international refugee protection standards. The country's asylum and refugee response are governed by the Refugees Act of 2017, which provides the legal framework for refugee status determination, rights, and obligations of refugees, as well as their access to protection and assistance in Zambia. In addition, Zambia's National Refugee Policy and its Implementation Plan provide a structured approach to refugee management, promoting self-reliance, inclusion in national systems, and durable solutions in line with international and regional commitments.
In 2025, Zambia will receive a World Bank grant under the IDA 20 Window for Host and Refugee Communities to implementing the Refugee and Host Communities Project to enhance socio-economic opportunities for refugees and host communities. A key focus of the project is harmonizing laws in Zambia to facilitate implementation of the Refugee Policy and to facilitate refugee documentation, access to basic services, and self-reliance. As part of this effort, the project supports the rollout of new national ID cards for refugees across all three refugee-hosting districts, promoting legal recognition and inclusion within national systems.
As of 30 June 2025, Zambia hosts some 111,262 forcibly displaced persons (82,017 refugees; 11,159 asylum seekers and 18,086 former refugees and others of concerns) in three refugee settlements and other urban areas including Lusaka. The vast majority live in the three refugee settlements, namely Mayukwayukwa (27,051), Meheba (45,973), Mantapala (9,480), and some (28,757) have settled in urban locations. The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) coordinates asylum and refugee management through the office of the Commissioner for Refugees (COR) in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security and in close collaboration with other government departments and the inter- governmental steering committee established for this purpose, with the direct support of UNHCR.UNHCR in Zambia has three field offices/units (one in Solwezi, one in Kawambwa, one in Kaoma) and a Representational Office in Lusaka.
Nature of Position:
The Senior Finance Associate position is located in Lusaka, Zambia covering the UNHCR Zambia operation and Malawi national office. The Senior Finance Associate will report to the Finance Officer in CO Lusaka, Zambia. The incumbent will undertake and assist the processing of financial transactions and is responsible for supporting the financial operations of the Zambia Multi-Country Office (MCO) which includes a Country Office Lusaka, 2 Field Offices and a Field Unit in Zambia plus a national Office in Lilongwe Malawi. The main objectives of the post are to safeguard and optimize the utilization of UNHCRโs monetary and physical resources in smooth and accountable manner, the incumbent will contribute to the establishment and implementation of procedures and policies in line with UN/UNHCR financial regulations and UNHCRโs rules, policies, and procedures.
S/he will be responsible for accounts payable, accounts receivable, treasury processes, accounting, adherence to and implementation of internal control mechanisms, including support to oversight and financial audit functions. S/he will be also responsible for regularly analysing, evaluating and controlling disbursements/receipts, as well as expenditures against approved budgets and timely assisting the management in all aspects of accounts maintenance and budget control by providing reports on financial status, procedures, costs and expenditures and potential funding problems in areas of responsibility.
His/her responsibilities include but are not limited to processing of financial transactions after ensuring all supporting documents are reviewed and endorsed according to standard procedures, monitoring the use of the administrative budget (ABOD) and expenditures ensuring adequate and timely replenishments of funds; processing monthly and year-end accounts closure, conducting regular review and timely clearance of prepayments and bank accounts reconciliations; processing timely submissions of VAT refund claims to the state authorities, specially for UNHCR operation in Malawi.
The incumbent is part of a multifunctional team and supports the UNHCR Cash Based Interventions (CBI) programme through processing CashAssist, and DHoTs, The incumbent is required to provide support to and cooperate with other UNHCR teams in the country, particularly UNHCRโs three (2) Field Offices, a Field Unit, Malawi National Office and liaise/coordinate with other teams in the Regional Bureau of East Horn of Africa and Great Lakes.
The incumbent of the post will be back up for the Finance Officer in his/her absence and lead the administrative team in the MCO Zambia.
Desired Candidate Profile
The candidate should demonstrate strong knowledge and experience in the application of financial procedures and processes, and budget preparation, preferably in international organisations. The ideal candidate must demonstrate a proven ability to work independently and engage with UNHCR regional and headquarters technical units for problem-solving and consultations. S/he should be capable of managing multiple tasks under tight deadlines and with fluctuating workloads.
The candidate must demonstrate strong skills in the management of receivables and payables, in the preparation of bank reconciliations and payroll. Moreover, the candidate must demonstrate strong financial analytical and drafting skills as s/he will be required to provide comprehensive financial and budgetary reports. Knowledge and experience in finance and budget modules in non-profit organizations and financial resource planning systems is also necessary.
An understanding of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), or similar accrual accounting standards as well as experience in coordinating with internal and external auditors and other financial oversight bodies is desirable. Advanced knowledge of Excel, including full proficiency with pivot tables, is essential.
The position requires a candidate who is highly organized, skilled in workflow management and is client oriented. The ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment and to meet strict deadlines is necessary.
The incumbent is required to have excellent working knowledge and demonstrated experience in the use of digital and online resource planning and management tools. The candidate must be fluent in English, both spoken and written and be a good communicator.
Strong interpersonal skills and a solutions-oriented mindset are essential. The candidate should be able to maintain positive working relationships and respond proactively to technical issues. Additionally, the candidate must possess well-developed communication skills, and ability to draft clear, concise, and professional documents and correspondence to contribute to the financial management across the operations. The incumbent must be ready to travel to remote areas in the operation.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
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Desired languages
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Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
Nature of Position:
Living and Working Conditions:
Additional Qualifications
SkillsIT-Computer Literacy, IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Education
CertificationsAccounting - Other, Business Administration - Other, Finance - Other
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Additional InformationOnly short-listed candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for written test and/or oral interview.
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance