Job Description

Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

UN Women Somalia works to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment by supporting government institutions, civil society, and communities. Guided by its triple mandate of normative support, UN coordination, and operational programming, UN Women focuses on key priorities including Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE), gender responsive humanitarian action and disaster risk reduction (Hum/DRR), and leadership through initiatives such as the Leadership, Empowerment, Access and Protection (LEAP) programme. Through these efforts, UN Women promotes women’s participation in decision making, strengthens livelihoods and resilience to climate and humanitarian shocks, and supports inclusive and sustainable development in Somalia. 

UN Women is a key implementing partner in the Strengthening the Resilience of Displaced and Host Communities in Dolow (SRDHT), funded by AfDB in collaboration with  the Ministry of Planning, Investment and Economic Development (MoPIED), and jointly implemented with UNHCR, FAO, UN-Habitat and IOM UN Women leads the Women’s and Youth Economic Empowerment, Gender Equality and Leadership components, focusing on skills development, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, gender-responsive community engagement and protection-sensitive programming. The programme aligns with the Somalia National Transformation Plan (NTP), the National Durable Solutions Strategy and local development priorities.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist and working closely with the Programme Officer – Women’s Economic Empowerment –(WEE) and Operations teams, the Programme finance associate provides programme, administrative and logistical support to SRDHT implementation in Dolow. The Programme finance associate supports work planning, financial processes, documentation, coordination with partners and reporting requirements to ensure effective and efficient delivery. The role also supports compliance with UN Women rules and regulations, contributes to joint programme coordination processes, and assists in consolidating information for monitoring and reporting. The Programme Assistant works collaboratively with implementing partners, other UN agencies and field teams to facilitate smooth operations, communication flows and programme delivery.

Scope of Work:

Implement financial strategies, and adapt processes and procedures in full compliance of UN Women rules, regulations, policies, and recording and reporting systems:

• Perform duties in full compliance with UN Women financial regulations, rules, policies, and standard operating procedures, including internal controls, ensuring alignment with AfDB donor requirements where applicable.;
• Keep abreast of and ensure compliance with IPSAS and donor-specific financial rules and reporting requirements (e.g., AfDB);
• Review and verify financial transactions and supporting documentation; take corrective actions as needed, ensuring compliance with donor cost eligibility and documentation standards;
• Monitor financial exception reports, investigate anomalies, and report findings with recommendations, including donor-funded transactions;
• Monitor financial resources management systems to ensure accuracy, compliance, and proper tracking of expenditures, including donor funds;
• Maintain internal expenditure control systems and follow up on unposted or erroneous transactions;
• Support month-end and year-end financial closure processes, including reconciliation of expenditures and review of pending transactions;
• Maintain complete, organized, and audit-ready financial documentation in line with UN Women and AfDB requirements; 
• Participate in internal and external audits, including AfDB donor audits, and support preparation of required documentation;
• Follow up on audit recommendations and monitor implementation of corrective actions, including donor compliance actions. 

Prepare and administer the RO budgets in full compliance of UN Women rules, regulations, policies, and recording and reporting systems:

•  Collect, verify, and present financial data to support planning of resources, work plans, budgets, and implementation modalities, ensuring alignment with AfDB-approved budgets;
• Support preparation and entry of Annual Work Plans in RMS, ensuring donor-funded components are accurately reflected;
• Create and manage projects in Quantum, including budget revisions and project awards, in line with donor-approved budgets (e.g., AfDB);
• Monitor budgets, expenditures, and transactions to ensure correct budget utilization and compliance with approved categories;
• Review Project Delivery Status Reports, investigate variances or overspending, and support corrective actions, including across donor-funded programme components;
• Moitor monthly expenditures and flag over- or under-utilization of funds to support timely corrective actions;
• Track the appropriate and timely use of financial resources, including monitoring delivery of funds to implementing partners.

Provide finance support to the Programme and Operations teams:

•  Prepare and process financial transactions in Quantum, including PO and non-PO vouchers, GLJEs, payroll, travel claims, and other entitlements, in compliance with UN Women and donor procedures;
• Monitor accounts receivable, contributions, and deposits; follow up on outstanding items with relevant stakeholders;
• Maintain proper follow-up of advances to implementing partners and review partner financial reports, ensuring timely reporting using AfDB templates and standards;
• Provide advice and recommend solutions on financial issues, including donor compliance and partner financial management;
• Provide inputs to financial reports for the Regional Office, HQ, and stakeholders, and support timely donor reporting in compliance with AfDB requirements;
• Support financial project closure and ensure all financial obligations and reporting requirements are met;
• Compile and process financial and programme information for databases, reports, briefs, and donor submissions;
• Support coordination and communication with programme teams, Regional and Country Offices, and implementing partners;
• Actively promote a client-oriented finance service to programme and operations teams.

Provide administrative support to Resource Mobilization:

•  Prepare cost recovery, VAT reimbursement, and cost-sharing documentation in line with UN Women procedures;
• Support resource mobilization efforts through preparation of financial inputs for proposals, budgets, and donor agreements.
• Compile and process information from donors, programme teams, and partners for reporting systems and donor submissions.
• Support preparation of briefing materials, meeting documentation, and coordination with donors, including AfDB, government and civil society partners.

Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing:

•  Conduct and support training activities, including capacity building for implementing partners on financial reporting, allowable costs, and AfDB donor compliance requirements;
• Collect and disseminate lessons learned and best practices in financial management to support continuous improvement;
• Contribute to knowledge sharing through development of tools, guidance, and improved financial management practices;
• Support effective communication and coordination across teams to strengthen knowledge exchange and programme delivery.

Incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as required for the effective functioning of the Office, including contributing to UN Women’s LEAP flagship initiatives, supporting the humanitarian portfolio, and providing additional programme, financial or coordination assistance as needed.

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

• Excellent knowledge of financial rules and regulations and accounting principles;  
• Excellent knowledge and application skills of IT tools and understanding of management systems;  
• Excellent knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages; 
• Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems; 
• Ability to administer and execute financial and accounting processes and transactions. 

Experiences and Qualifications

Education and Certification:

• Completion of secondary education is required;
• Specialized national or international certification in accounting and finance is an asset;
• Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting is desirable;
• Successful completion of UN Women Accounting and Finance Test is required as part of the selection process. 

Experience:

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in finance is required.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required.;
• Experience in the use of a modern web-based ERP System, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required;
• Knowledge of Somalia language is required;
• Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Skills Required

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