Finance Assistant at United Nations

Organizational Context/Project

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

The overall objective of the UNEP’s Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE) is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive.

It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and then building of corresponding activities. The positions are located in the Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (DTIE), to work with the UNEP Global Environment Facility (GEF) Chemicals and Waste (C&W) and Climate Change Mitigation (CCM) Units.

Living Conditions

The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighboring Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Kenya has seven administrative provinces plus the Nairobi Area. Provinces are further divided into districts. Kenya is a multi-party state with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches.

Kenya’s population of more than 39 million is growing at an annual rate of 2.2%. The country’s GNP per capita estimated at purchasing power parity (PPP) is $975, and the GNP is growing at a rate of 0.1% annually. More than 26% of Kenya’s people live below the international poverty line of $1 per day. Kenya’s main food crops are “maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tubers.” (FAO) The normal “lean season” is in June and July. Severe drought in 1999-2000 led to decreased agricultural production, and according to FAO, “seriously undermined the food security of 4.4 million people, particularly in pastoral areas. Kenya.

Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services are available locally at cost. The city is widely connected through its main airport, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many up country destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel mainly attributed to the fact that is serves as the headquarters for both the UN HABITAT and UNEP.

Conditions of Service for national UN Volunteers

• A 12 – month contract; with subsequent contract extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.
• Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of Ksh 74,254 is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

Finance Assistant Job Responsibilities

• Under the direct supervision of Fund Management Officer the national UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
• Provide support with regard to the review, analysis and preparation of the project budgets and the revisions.
• Prepare supporting documents (narrative and supporting tables) with respect to GEF submissions and UNEP Programme of Work.
• Assist in preparing contractual documents for Executing Agencies.
• Monitor expenditures and compare with approved budgets; prepare adjustments as necessary.
• Assist in preparation of budget performance submissions and finalization of budget performance reports, analyse variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
• Monitor integrity of various financial databases.
• Verify accuracy of input data , ensuring consistency of data.
• Periodic reconciliation of accounts.
• Review cash advance requests and upon certification by the fund management officer prepare payments for final disbursement by cashier.
• Review incoming expenditure reports and upon certification by the fund management officer input in relevant databases/systems.
• Notify payees on status of payments.
• Assist fund management officers regarding queries on budget, payment and deposit related issues and draft related correspondence.
• Maintain updated files and archives as required.
• Prepare project completition and closing revisions including all supporting documents.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Qualifications for the Finance Assistant Job

• A university degree in business administration or a related field.
• At least 2years experience in Finance or related field
• Advanced university degree(Masters in Bussiness administration will be an added advantage.
• Language: English,Knowledge of other UNV Languages is desired