Background
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is the United Nations Secretariat entity responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to respond coherently in emergencies. OCHA also ensures that there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the collective response. Its mission is to:
Mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; Defend the rights of people in need; Promote disaster preparedness and prevention; Facilitating sustainable solutionsIt is within the framework of its missions that OCHA has an office in the Central African Republic. The humanitarian situation in the CAR remains serious. 63% of the population, or \"3.1 million people, are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. Armed clashes are recurrent and new displacements continue to increase as do violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by armed men. To meet these needs, the OCHA RCA Office plans to strengthen its response capacities in 2025 through the recruitment of a National Finance Officer.
This job opening is advertised for the recruitment of a National Finance Officer who will be based in Bangui with frequent visits to the field and project implementation sites. He/she will be a member of the Humanitarian Financing Team with the role of supporting humanitarian partners (UN agencies, international and national NGOs and other stakeholders) working with the Central African Republic Humanitarian Fund (CAR-HF) and CERF, reviewing budgets, budget amendments, grant agreements and relevant documents submitted by CAR-HF and CERF partners. Monitoring project implementation through spot checks, periodic financial reporting and audits; obtaining exceptional reports and assessing them in line with grant agreements. Providing advice and training on budget preparation, financial reporting and budget amendments to implementing partners.
This position is initially based in Bangui but may, at any time, be transferred to another location depending on the operational needs of the Organization.
Under the general authority of the head of the OCHA DRC office and the supervision of the OCHA CAR-HF fund manager/Head of Section, he/she will work under the direct supervision of the Finance Officer (P3) of the Humanitarian Fund Management Unit and will exercise the following main functions:
1)- Ensure effective financial review on project and budget agreements.
• Analyze financial documentation of implementing partners (IPs), when necessary.
• Analyze and assist with project budget and grant agreements.
• Analyze and assist on budget amendments and no-cost extension requests.
• Analyze audited financial reports to ensure compliance with the signed agreement and project budget.
• Assist in the review interim a financial reports and confirm the allocation amount of additional disbursements.
• Carry out spot checks and ad hoc financial checks in accordance with operational procedures under the supervision of the Finance sub-unit team leader.
• Propose a draft financial analysis for standard and ad hoc reporting requirements for the review of the Finance sub-unit team leader to ensure timely financial reporting in accordance with donor requirements.
• Conduct capacity assessment under the team leaders guidance, of partners who have successfully completed the first stage of the eligibility process (Due Diligence) to assess their capacity and assign them an appropriate risk profile supported by a comprehensive report based on a review of partners' systems, practices and documentation.
2- Ensure the implementation of financial management strategies and adapt processes and procedures.
• Under the responsibility of the direct supervisor, draft the financial analysis of fund allocations for donor reports, CAR-HF annual report and fund dashboards.
• Develop awareness materials under the supervision of the team leader for partner awareness sessions on HF-RAC procedures and guidelines for accessing grants. This includes working with the One Grant Management System (OneGMS) and ensuring compliance with the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules (UNFRR) as well as the Guidelines for Country-Based Pooled Funds (CBPF). Participation in meetings and workshops will be essential for this process.
• Assist the supervisor in budgetary matters in order to maintain communication with CAR-HF stakeholders on matters related to the budget, financial reporting, payments, reimbursements and deposits.
• Provide technical support on specific CBPF issues related to finances, internally (HFU, FCS, etc.)
3. Provide efficient administrative services
• Keep abreast of documents/reports/guidelines that impact issues related to program budgets and CAR-HF in general.
• Document and file all financial documents such as spot check reports, audit reports, reimbursements and financial authorizations for record keeping and future reference.
• The incumbent performs other tasks relevant to his functional profile deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Finance subunit of the HFU.
CompetenciesCross-functional and technical skills:
Business Management - Results-Based Management Ability to manage programs and projects with a focus on performance improvement and demonstrable results. Business Management-Risk Management Ability to identify and organize actions around mitigation and proactive management of risks. Digital & Innovation-Data Analysis Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data (including real-time data) to generate meaningful insights and facilitate effective decision-making. Finance-Accounting Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks, standards, regulations, policies and trends, and the ability to apply them to strategic and/or practical situations. Finance-Budget Management Ability to support the budgetary aspects of the work planning process, developing and managing team budgets. Finance-Financial risk management Ensures financial resilience through proactive risk assessment, implementation of controls and taking mitigation actions. Understands the risks and rewards of collaborative and commercial projects. Ensures a positive risk management culture\" Audit & Investigation - General - Financial and management accounting and key concepts in finance Key concepts and principles of financial accounting, interpreting financial analysis, management accounting, etc. Required Skills and ExperienceLANGUAGES
For the advertised position, fluency in French and Sango are required. English as another official language of the United Nations is desirable.Other skills:
Ability to work productively under pressure and meet deadlines; A commitment and loyalty to the ideals of the United Nations and the mandate of OCHA; Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts to staff at all levels in a clear and concise style; good personal presentation; A team player, ability to function effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective relationships in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. A strong capacity for mediation and a sense of compromise and consensus; Proficiency in office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) Experience in managing teams and offices, Work autonomy. Values: Integrity Professionalism Respect for diversitySKILLS :
Communication skills Team spirit Planning and organization Desire for improvement Customer care. Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.