Jobs and Careers

JOB DESCRIPTION: 

The Senior Project Control Assistant will be working under the direct supervision of the Representative, assisting him/ her on assignments outlined in the job description. The incumbent will also receive guidance and advice from the Regional Project Control Officer and directly from the Regional Bureau for Europe. It is worth noting that the role of the Senior Project Control Assistant is a support function for the office, not to act as an internal auditor. Since this position requires incumbent to work independently with minimal supervision, the incumbent is expected to have a sound command or working experience of the financial management/ financial verification of donor funded projects as it involves checking various financial and project documents for compliance to the UNHCR project agreements and direct implementation by the office. The incumbent would be required to write technical reports based on the financial, compliance or internal control observations, along with recommendations to resolve the observations and establish follow-up mechanism to ensure that all the observations or monitoring findings are addressed. The Senior Project Control Assistant will serve as focal point for internal and external audits. This will include coordinating with auditors and partners, liaising with UNHCR Headquarters, ensuring compliance with audit requirements (e.g. completion and submission of audit certificates), ensuring follow-up actions are taken to address audit observations and in consultation with relevant units assist in the provision of management responses to auditors. Hence, it is advantageous if the candidate has worked in an audit/ accountancy firm or has similar experience in a national/international NGO. The candidate will additionally be expected to support the UNHCR Armenia Office in managing country risk register, monitoring direct implementation, managing all mandatory project documents on eSAFE, capacity building of Partners (particularly with respect to financial management) and provide relevant technical inputs during capacity assessment of new Partner (for selection purposes) or performance assessment of existing Partner (for retention purposes).

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

- Contribute to reviewing the internal control systems of implementing partners;
- Assist with monitoring that IP agreements are established for each project;
- Prepare reports on project expenditures levels and patterns in relation to the Country Operations Plan and project agreements and implementation rates to track project progress;
- Assist with the verification of the financial status of projects by researching files, calculating costs and anticipating expenditures, to that the balance available under each project can be easily monitored;
- Bring to the attention of supervisors and programme officers any significant variances at the office level in: budget execution, percentage of project execution, time schedule, and quality of projects against specifications or terms and conditions;
- Perform other job-related duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

Essential Minimum Qualifications and Experience:
- Secondary education, together with training/ certificate in Accounting, Auditing, Business Administration, Finance, Project Management or a related field;
- At least 5 years of previous work experience in the field of accounting/ finance, auditing, project management, business analysis, quality assurance and/ or risk management;
- Excellent computer skills, in particular in MS Office applications;
- Excellent communication skills;
- Fluency in English language and working knowledge of another relevant UN language or local language;
- In offices where the working language is not English, excellent knowledge of UN working language of duty station and working knowledge of English language.

Managerial Competencies:
- Judgement and decision making;
- Managing resources.

Cross-Functional Competencies:
- Planning and organizing;
- Political awareness;
- Stakeholder management.

Desirable Qualifications and Competencies:
- Good knowledge of United Nations financial rules and procedures;
- Good understanding of accrual accounting (such as IPSAS or IFRS);
- Working experience with ERP financial modules (such as PeopleSoft, Oracle or SAP).

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: 

If you wish to be considered for this vacancy, please submit your letter of motivation and updated factsheet (for internal candidates only) and the signed Personal History Form (for external candidates only) by e-mail, clearly stating the position title, VN/03/2019 and your Last Name in the subject line to: *******@*****.*** by the deadline. Only complete applications/ documentation in English language will be considered. No late applications will be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and oral interview. The Personal History Form and its supplementary sheet is attached.

Please clearly mention in your application letter that you learned of this announcement through Career Center and mention the URL of its website - www.careercenter.am. Thanks.

REMUNERATION/ SALARY: 

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the International Civil Service Commission at: http://icsc.un.org.

OPEN TO/ ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: 

The candidates must meet the essential minimum requirements of the position and candidates not citizens of the country must comply with all eligibility requirements for employment in line with the prevailing legislative prerequisites in the country. An individual whose father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister is a staff member of UNHCR, including a Temporary Appointment holder or a member of the Affiliate Workforce, is NOT eligible to apply.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: 

UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

ATTACHMENTS:

1. Personal History Form - 11_Personal-History-Form (4).zip 2. Supplementary Sheet - 12_Personal-History-Form-Supplementary-Sheet (2).zip 3. Vacancy Announcement - 01_-_VN03_2019_-Vacancy_Announcement_03-_External_Internal_GS.pdf