About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) unites the New York Portfolios, including the Peace and Security team (PSC); the Geneva Office; and the Vienna-based Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) teams, to maximize global impact, foster efficiencies and streamline global programmes. Leveraging our collective expertise and networks, GPO supports UNOPS' strategic priorities and the SDGs across over 130 countries. We deliver project management, fund management, advisory services, project implementation, and HR services, working closely with major global partners. Our thematic focus includes sustainable development, climate action, health, peace & security, and humanitarian action.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

Not Required - part of GPO/NYPO

Job Specific Context

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) leads the organization's New York-based portfolios to successfully deliver project and programme management as well as procurement, human resources, and financial management services for its partners with global mandates, ranging from the UN Secretariat to UN funds, programmes, and agencies, and ultimately to UN Member States.

The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP). It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

Under the direct supervision of the functional supervisor and the overall guidance of the Finance Specialist, the Finance Officer supports the implementation of financial management processes and contributes to maintaining an effective control environment. The incumbent assists in ensuring compliance with UNOPS financial rules, policies, and procedures while supporting the timely and accurate delivery of financial services.

The role contributes to the effective financial management of UNOPS projects by supporting project financial monitoring, reporting, and closure activities, while ensuring the quality and accuracy of financial data and documentation.

The incumbent will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Important Considerations:

These Terms of Reference are generic and indicative. Not all tasks listed may be required, and additional duties may be assigned as appropriate and consistent with the scope of services.

This recruitment aims to fill an ongoing, full-time position. Depending on actual needs, the hiring unit may decide to recruit endorsed qualified professionals for contracts with different working conditions (short/long term, part/full-time, retainer, regular or ongoing positions).

*Applicants with Non-UN experience are encouraged to apply.*

*UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.*

*For home-based positions, UNOPS reserves the right to issue a Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) in lieu of an International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA), should an applicable LICA salary scale at the ICS-08 level be available in the duty station country of the selected candidate*

Role Purpose

The Finance Officer ensures the effective delivery of financial management, reporting and compliance services in accordance with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRRs), policies and procedures. The incumbent leads on budget formulation and monitoring, treasury and cash management, accounting oversight, and financial reporting. The Finance Officer also provides analytical and advisory support to management, ensuring financial integrity, cost efficiency and timely decision-making across the portfolio.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Implementation of Operational Strategies

Ensure full compliance with UNOPS financial rules, regulations, policies and procedures, as well as donor and audit requirements.

Implement and maintain effective internal control systems and risk management frameworks to safeguard financial resources.

Support the roll-out and continuous improvement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in finance, ensuring consistency and accuracy across financial processes.

Monitor financial exception reports, identify and investigate anomalies, and recommend corrective actions.

Advise management on cost-saving measures, financial efficiencies and expenditure optimization in collaboration with operations teams.

Support internal and external audit exercises, coordinate responses, and track the implementation of audit recommendations.

Budget Preparation, Monitoring and Control

Lead the preparation, consolidation and monitoring of budgets for projects and administrative operations, ensuring alignment with UNOPS and donor requirements.

Review and analyze budget proposals for accuracy, consistency and alignment with strategic and financial objectives.

Conduct variance analyses and monitor expenditure levels against approved budgets, providing early warnings on deviations and advising corrective measures.

Coordinate project budget revisions and ensure timely re-phasing and approvals in the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.

Provide financial planning support to project managers, including forecasting, scenario analysis, and financial risk assessment.

Contribute to the development and improvement of budgeting tools and systems to enhance transparency and performance-based budgeting.

Cash Management and Treasury

Oversee cash management operations to ensure liquidity and accuracy in fund allocation.

Review daily and monthly cash positions to maintain sufficient balances for disbursements and manage the zero-balance and imprest accounts.

Prepare cash flow forecasts for operational and project needs and ensure alignment with budget projections.

Initiate and approve bank transfers and foreign exchange transactions in the ERP system in compliance with authorization levels.

Maintain strong relationships with local banking institutions and ensure compliance with national financial and banking regulations.

Monitor operational advances, recoveries and pe

• Ensure full compliance with UNOPS financial rules, regulations, policies and procedures, as well as donor and audit requirements.
• Implement and maintain effective internal control systems and risk management frameworks to safeguard financial resources.
• Support the roll-out and continuous improvement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in finance, ensuring consistency and accuracy across financial processes.
• Monitor financial exception reports, identify and investigate anomalies, and recommend corrective actions.
• Advise management on cost-saving measures, financial efficiencies and expenditure optimization in collaboration with operations teams.
• Support internal and external audit exercises, coordinate responses, and track the implementation of audit recommendations.
• Lead the preparation, consolidation and monitoring of budgets for projects and administrative operations, ensuring alignment with UNOPS and donor requirements.
• Review and analyze budget proposals for accuracy, consistency and alignment with strategic and financial objectives.
• Conduct variance analyses and monitor expenditure levels against approved budgets, providing early warnings on deviations and advising corrective measures.
• Coordinate project budget revisions and ensure timely re-phasing and approvals in the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.
• Provide financial planning support to project managers, including forecasting, scenario analysis, and financial risk assessment.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of budgeting tools and systems to enhance transparency and performance-based budgeting.
• Oversee cash management operations to ensure liquidity and accuracy in fund allocation.
• Review daily and monthly cash positions to maintain sufficient balances for disbursements and manage the zero-balance and imprest accounts.
• Prepare cash flow forecasts for operational and project needs and ensure alignment with budget projections.
• Initiate and approve bank transfers and foreign exchange transactions in the ERP system in compliance with authorization levels.
• Maintain strong relationships with local banking institutions and ensure compliance with national financial and banking regulations.
• Monitor operational advances, recoveries and pe