Project Control Associate at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Grade: G6

Contract Type: Temporary Appointment

Duration of Contract: Six months

Supervisor: Project Control Officer

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Project Control Officer, the Project Control Associate will assist with Project Control functions and provide support for oversight of projects including financial verification of Partners, formulation of a monitoring plan and quality assurance. S/he will also assist with the reviewing of project agreements, project auditing, monitoring for synchrony between financial and operational performance, participate in multi-functional monitoring activities and reviews, tracking project risk management, and supporting project closure. S/he will be carrying out the following tasks:

• Conduct financial verifications of the Partner Financial Reports (PFR).
• Escalate issues identified in verification or monitoring to Project Control Officer.
• Contribute to reviewing the internal control systems of Partners.
• Monitor that a complete record is maintained for all projects.
• Contact Partners for project related matters.
• Contribute to reviewing, analysing and verifying Financial and Performance Reports submitted by Partners, and to checking accuracy and consistency between these reports, in accordance with project agreements.
• Ensure that the funds obligated under a PFR agreement permit the payment of the next instalment or a disbursement, confirming the status of instalments already paid.
• Support timely project closure in coordination with the programme unit.
• Bring to the attention of supervisors and senior management 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.
• Maintain professional relationships with implementing partners.
• Keep up-to-date with all UNHCR rules, regulations and procedures necessary to perform these duties.
• Contribute to reviewing that PFR agreements are in conformity with Country Operation Plans and UNHCR’s rules, policies and procedures.
• Perform other related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Secondary education, together with training/certificate in Accounting, Auditing, Business Administration, Finance, Project Management or related field (candidates having ACCA   qualification or with a university degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or Economics will be preferred)
• Minimum 6 years of previous job 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 and working knowledge of another relevant UN language or local language
• Excellent knowledge of English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & 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).
• Fluency in English and working knowledge of another relevant UN language or local language