Job Highlight
This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the financial integrity and transparency of the UNOPS Africa Region. The position offers exposure to corporate financial reporting, audit support, and process improvement within a dynamic international organization
About the Region
The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.
About the Group
Based in Nairobi, Kenya, the UNOPS Office of the Regional Director (ORD) forAfrica provides strategic leadership, oversight, and operational support to UNOPS multi-country offices across the continent. The office guides portfolio management, partnership development, and risk management, helping ensure alignment with organizational goals and regional priorities. By promoting high standards in project delivery, the regional office plays a critical role in enhancing efficiency, accountability, and impact. It serves as a hub for knowledge sharing, enabling the exchange of best practices and lessons learned across diverse contexts. This coordinated approach strengthens UNOPS’ ability to deliver sustainable, high-quality solutions that support national development efforts and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) throughout Africa.
Job Specific Context
This position operates within the Finance Group, contributing to the preparation of financial statements, financial oversight and monitoring, financial transaction processing, and capacity building/system improvement. The role is essential to ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and compliance of financial reporting in accordance with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations
Role Purpose
The Finance Associate provides support in the preparation of financial statements, financial oversight and monitoring, financial transaction processing, and capacity building/system improvement. The Finance Associate ensures compliance with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations and contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of financial operations.
Functions / Key Results Expected
1. CORPORATE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS and Audit
- Provide support in the preparation of interim and year-end corporate financial statements, supporting schedules and notes to the financial statements.
- Support in preparation of data consolidation and preparation of working files and tables for financial statements.
- Provide support to the audit focal person during audits.
- Assist in maintaining log off on both Internal and External audit recommendations and draw useful data for analysis.
2. FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT AND MONITORING
- Coordination and monitoring of quarterly and year-end financial closure processes.
- Review reconciliation submissions and account balances to ensure recording and reporting compliance in accordance with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations and other applicable Organizational Directives and Operational Instructions.
- Perform working files and analysis of data in General Ledger (GL) concerning different accounts.
- Communication with internal stakeholders on areas requiring verification, corrections, additional information, etc. to improve quality of output and/or account submission.
- Review of finance data in General Ledger for completeness, accuracy, and correctness of account entries in relevant areas of focus.
- Exercise periodic monitoring and oversight on transactions and account balances in respective areas to ensure recording and reporting is made in accordance with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations and other applicable Organizational Directives and Operational Instructions.
- Contribute to developing and maintaining a strong control environment around financial reporting.
- Support maintenance a log of issues identified, collect and update data to consolidate and complete the issue log.
3. FINANCIAL TRANSACTION PROCESSING
- Support in reviewing financial transactions related to grants advances and expenses.
- Assist in reviewing data for Inventory submission before processing transactions to capitalize on a periodic basis.
- Raise transactions in UNOPS ERP as and when needed.
4. CAPACITY BUILDING / SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT
- Support process documentation and continuous improvements in the corporate system (PQMS).
- Maintain a log of issues identified, analyze data based on lessons learned.
- Become a subject matter expert for the Financial Reporting requirements in the UNOPS ERP system (OneUNOPS).
- Contribute to the development of innovative solutions to optimize financial processes and reduce manual work.
Skills
Auditing, Financial Analysis, Financial Reporting, General Ledger, Process Improvement
Competencies
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.
Education Requirements
Required
- Secondary school (or equivalent) with 6 years of relevant experience OR
- A university degree (Bachelor or Master’s), or equivalent in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field with 2 years of relevant experience is required.
Desired
- Professional accounting certification (e.g., CPA, ACCA) is an asset.
Experience Requirements
Required
- Relevant experience in finance and accounting, including experience with financial statement preparation, general ledger accounting, and audit support is required.
Desired
- Experience with OneUNOPS is desirable.
- Experience working in an international organization or the UN system is an asset.
Language Requirements
LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequiredFrenchIntermediateDesirable
Additional Information
- UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
- UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
- Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
- UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
- UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
- We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
- UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
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.
- For more details about the contract types, please click 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.
