Result of Service
The Finance Specialist reports to the Head of Brazil Office and OiC for Southern Cone Office. He/She shall duly and timely perform his/her obligations, under this Terms of Reference. The consultant will work in close collaboration with the UN-Habitat’s operational and technical teams.
Work Location
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Expected duration
6 months (renewable)
Duties and Responsibilities
Background The main mandate of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is to promote sustainable development of human settlements and policies conducive to adequate housing for all. Within this framework, UN-Habitat supports central and state governments, as well as local authorities and other partners for the implementation of the Habitat Agenda, the 2030 Agenda with the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. UN-Habitat helps the urban poor by transforming cities into safer, more inclusive, compact, integrated, resilient and connected places with better opportunities where everyone can live with dignity. It works with organizations at every level, including all spheres of government, civil society, and the private sector to help build, manage, plan and finance sustainable urban development. The Regional Office for Latin American and the Caribbean – ROLAC – is based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Agency puts emphasis in developing and managing activities in the host country. Indeed, for the past years, UN-Habitat has expanded its portfolio in Brazil by working with the three tiers of government to support the formulation and implementation of more effective, sustainable, participative, and socially fairer urban economic, social, and environmental policies. In order to support the implementation of projects and initiatives and development of new projects of UN-Habitat’s in Brazil and Southern Cone countries, we are looking for a Finance Specialist. The Financial Manager should technically and administratively support, more specifically, overall programme management and the implementation of the existing portfolio projects. Report to UN-Habitat Manager The Finance Specialist reports to the Head of Brazil Office and OiC for Southern Cone Office, who will evaluate him/her. Responsibilities The Finance Specialist will support the implementation of the projects, and its activities, with the following responsibilities: a) Collaborating with management to gather and analyze financial information. b) Analysis and execution of administrative procedures with the objective of ensuring compliance with United Nations regulations and that the operational practices developed in the development, implementation and closure of projects comply with the internal processes; c) Preparing financial plans. d) Evaluating cost structures. e) Preparing budget reports and financial statements in accordance with UN rules. f) Performing risk modeling and quantifying results to advise strategic business decisions. g) Recommending solutions to reduce expenses, increase revenue, and maximize efficiency. h) Monitoring the implementation of financial plans, performing risk assessments, and making adjustments as needed. i) Documenting financial processes and presenting progress reports. j) Keeping informed of UN rules and best practices in financial management. k) Undertake any other duties and responsibilities within the incumbent’s expertise that can be reasonably expected to help maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of UN-Habitat’s response to urban development issues. The consultant will be responsible for completing all courses and training activities that are indicated to him/her by his/her supervisor. The security course BSAFE, from UNDSS, is required to be accredited during the first month of employment. The consultant will be responsible for his/her own security, so the person should ger familiarized with United Nations security mechanisms and comply with them according to the Framework of Accountability for the United Nations Security Management System. Outputs/Work Assignment The Finance Specialist will support the implementation of projects and initiatives in Brazil and Southern Cone countries. The consultant shall be paid a monthly allowance, upon presentation and approval by the Head of Brazil Office and OiC for Southern Cone Office of monthly activities’ report.
Qualifications/special skills
Education Required: • Post-Graduation courses (Lato Sensu or Stricto Sensu) in Business, Public Administration, Management, Finance, Accounting or Economics, or additional 4 years of relevant technical experience to the post, beyond the requirement. Work experience: • Minimum seven (7) years of experience in project or programme management, administration, financial management or related areas is required. • Proficiency in business management, statistical, analytical, and spreadsheet software is required. • Understanding accounting principles and practices helps analysts interpret financial statements and analyze trends is required. Skills: • Excellent analytical and strategic thinking abilities are required. • Familiarity with the environment of the SAP system is desirable. • Good computer skills in Windows and Office packages are required. • Good handling of technological tools and use of software and online platforms is desirable. • Financial analysis and problem-solving are required. Competencies • Professionalism: Experience working in an inter-institutional environment, project management, monitoring-evaluation; approaches and strategies regarding good urban governance and local and regional development. • Planning and organization: Professional approach to work, strong sense of responsibility, operate with minimal supervision; proven organizational skills and ability to manage a workload efficiently and within set deadlines. • Communication: Ability to write clearly and effectively; listen to others, interpret messages correctly and respond appropriately; show openness in information sharing and keep everyone informed; solid abstract reasoning skills together with a proven capacity to write documents for diverse audiences. • Teamwork: Ability to work with teams, demonstrate leadership, conflict management and consensus facilitation skills; ability to work in a multicultural and multi-ethnic environment, and to respect diversity; sensitivity to the main streaming of vulnerability; willingness and ability to work in difficult environments. Knowledge Management • The person must know the processes, procedures, and norms of UN-Habitat, to guarantee an adequate quality of the activities described above, following the standards of the organization. • The person will propose formats and procedures that allow the efficient implementation of the activities related to the project development. • The person must know the file of the Office, work with it, and ensure its proper maintenance, accessibility for all staff, and due updating. • The person will prepare databases related to the project running. • The person will make sure that all relevant technical information will be adequately shared with the correspondent staff. • The person will ensure that all produced material will be fit-for-purpose and delivered, in an organized way, for posterior consultation and use of the Agency. • The person will only share the information produced with the team agency, assuring the privacy of the content.
Languages
• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, and Spanish is the working language of the Regional Office. • For the post advertised, fluency in Portuguese and English is required.
Additional Information
Travel details: Applicable. The consultant must be available to travel to the places related to the activities in the country, if requested by the Head of Brazil Office and OiC for Southern Cone Office. Missions will be coordinated and finances by UN-Habitat, according to the United Nations travel rules and guidelines. Remuneration SB-4/4 – BRL: 14.305,25 (net amount) UNDP Brazil Salary Scale Notes Appointment against this post is on local basis and only nationals from Brazil or external candidates who hold a permanent visa in Brazil may apply. The extension of this contract is subject to availability of funds and/or performance. Any contract extension is not automatic. It is required for all the curricular information to be inserted in the system, which may take a few hours. Only complete applications in English will be considered. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. Due to the volume of applications received, receipt of applications cannot be acknowledged individually. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Applications should be submitted through INSPIRA and must include all documents required at the system, please be ready to include the following information at the “Candidate Profile” (CP) at Inspira: • Cover memo (maximum 1 page) • Educational Background (incl. dates) • Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months) • Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments • Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)* * Please note that Internships, self-employment and part-time count as 50%. In addition to it, note experience not relevant to the position will not be considered. All applications should be submitted to: Inspira UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning people or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.