Background Information - Job-specific
RBM Partnership to End Malaria The past fifteen years have seen tremendous gains in reducing the burden of disease and progressing towards malaria elimination. Since 2000, global malaria deaths have been cut by more than half, saving 7 million lives, primarily among children less than five years of age. Expansions in financing, strong political commitments, novel diagnostic and preventative measures, and multi-sectoral co-ordination have facilitated this progress. Since 1998, RBM Partnership to End Malaria has been central to the global fight against malaria. It has been essential to mobilizing resources and scaling up innovative interventions, putting the world onto a path towards eliminating malaria. The Partnership comprises more than 500 partners committed to end malaria, including malaria endemic countries, their bilateral and multilateral development partners, the private sector, nongovernmental and community-based organizations, foundations, and research and academic institutions.
The RBM Partnership's Vision is of a world free from the burden of malaria. The RBM Partnership is based in Geneva and hosted by UNOPS.
Role of the Finance and Operations Management Specialist
The role provides support with strategic planning and delivery of financial, administrative and operational duties. The role will support the Head of Finance and Administration in the effective functioning of the Finance and Administration Unit via ensuring the effective delivery of the programme and projects whilst applying the best working practices and ensuring appropriate application.
The primary role of the Finance and Operations Management Specialist is to ensure that all applicable policies, processes and methods are followed and practiced according to the organization standards, while acting on behalf of the Head of Finance and Operations to contribute to the RBM Partnership’s mission-focused goals and objectives. Functional Responsibilities
1. Financial Management support
Support in the development of the RBM workplan and budget and review all procurement, travel and grants plans ensuring that they are in line with the RBM Board approved plan and as per donor agreement.
Provide financial and administrative analysis to support the Head of Operations to make appropriate operations and financial decisions that will lead to the attainment of objectives set out in the RBM workplan and budget.
Proper management and accounting for contributions to ensure that funds due to UNOPS are properly identified, consistently and uniformly classified, recorded on a timely basis and received.
2. Financial Reporting and Audit SupportSupport the Head of Finance and Operations in the preparations of quarterly financial reports for the RBM Board and Finance Committee including budget variance analysis, as well as preparation of any administrative reports as required for decision making.
Work with UNOPS and RBM team to prepare all relevant donor reports as required including quarterly accrual reports for donors, as well as prepare monthly and quarterly cashflow forecasts as required by UNOPS.
Provide support to the Head of Finance and Operations in finance, risk, and audit matters.
Ensure financial activities, reporting and audit follow up comply with UN/UNOPS policies.
Act as focal point for internal and external audits including for implementing partners.
Support the Head of Finance and Operations in the implementation and closure of audit findings and recommendations with the Office of the CEO, senior management, UNOPS Geneva and implementing partners. 3. Compliance and Quality Assurance
Support the Head of Finance and Operations in the development of a financial and administrative accounting and reporting system to facilitate and improve financial and administrative management, enhanced financial oversight and transparency, and allow for systematic analysis of administrative processes and expenditure against results.
In coordination with UNOPS and relevant Secretariat colleagues, support the Head of Finance and Operations in undertaking or overseeing the administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of systems and operations.
Support the Head of Finance and Operations in Coordinating financial systems and tools development in such a way that the information can be integrated with UNOPS financial management systems if needed.
Develop necessary reporting formats in such a way that the information is readily available to all stakeholders and can be analyzed for presentation to different audiences.
Support the RBM Secretariat in the review of relevant financial information relating to contract and grants management.
Carry out financial monitoring and oversight for implementing partners in the field.
Conduct and supervise compliance reviews of grant disbursements, in particular liaising with RBM colleagues to ensure quality of disbursement procedures and documentation. 4. Team management
Manage all personnel related issues for direct reports, including recruitment, onboarding , task management and staff performance review.
Promote and support a learning culture by empowering individuals to identify critical learning needs and plan/provide easy access to learning opportunities to maintain personnel competency and flexibility.
Foster a positive, respectful and inclusive work environment to ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed. 5. Innovation and knowledge management
Strengthen and mainstream processes and procedures in providing finance/Operations services the development/provision of manuals and workflow processes and procedures, placing at the disposal existing UNOPS guidelines and tools/ SOPs and projects’ best practices and training materials.
Assess and identify training and learning needs, develop training schedules and organize workshops, meetings, on-the-job training, etc. to strengthen the capacity of personnel and thereby ensure smooth implementation of the workplans and effective reporting.
Impact of Results:
Contribute to the goals and objectives of the secretariat operations of more broadly the mission of the RBM Partnership. Competencies
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational 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/Experience/Language requirements
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field such as finance, business, programme /project management, public administration or other relevant related field is required.
A Bachelor’s degree with a combination of two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree.
CPA or equivalent is an advantage.
Experience
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in development projects, with significant international experience in project management support, providing financial management services, is required.
Proven track record in supporting programme operational and financial systems is required.
Experience with UNOPS regulations, rules and policies in the areas of contracting, procurement and grant management is an asset.
Experience in UN system organizations, preferably in a developing country, is desirable.
Language
Fluency in written and oral English is required.
Working knowledge of other UN languages particularly French, is an asset.
Additional Information
Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
Geneva, Switzerland is a family duty station.
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. For more information on a retainer contract 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.