Finance Assistant

United Nations University; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Job summary

UNU-WIDER is seeking a finance professional to support the Finance Team in Helsinki. The role covers accounts payable, payments, travel-related financial tasks, and monthly closings.

Required are a bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance, 1+ year of relevant experience, MS Office and Excel proficiency, and ERP knowledge. Fluency in English; Finnish is an asset. It is a locally recruited PSA contract with potential renewal.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance with relevant experience.
• Proficiency in MS Office, especially Excel.
• Knowledge of ERP systems (Oracle/PeopleSoft) is an advantage.
• Fluent in English; knowledge of UN languages and Finnish is an asset.
• Diplomacy, accuracy and attention to detail are essential.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and meet deadlines.
• Strong teamwork and cross-cultural sensitivity.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day accounting services with focus on accounts payable.
• Process payments and prepare vouchers for accounting entries.
• Assist with travel-related financial tasks including DSA and expenses.
• Monitor expenditures to stay within the budget.
• Contribute to improving financial workflows and processes.
• Handle finance inquiries and draft correspondence.
• Assist with monthly closes and financial reporting.
• Support other Finance Team staff as needed.

Skills

Fluent English

Finnish language

MS Office

Excel

ERP (Oracle/PeopleSoft)

Attention to detail

Strong communication

Team player

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

Secondary school completion with 4+ years of relevant work experience (international organization)

Tools

MS Office

Excel

ERP system (Oracle/PeopleSoft)

Job description

UNU-WIDER is looking for an outstanding finance professional with strong commitment and potential to support the Finance Team of the Institute. Closing date: 11 June 2019, 23:59 UTC+3

About UN University

For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on the pressing global problems of human survival, conflict prevention, development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 13 countries, UNU’s work spans the full breadth of the 17 SDGs, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe. For more information please visit www.unu.edu .

United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)

UNU-WIDER is a leading international development economics think tank. The Institute provides economic analysis and policy advice with the aim of promoting sustainable and equitable development for all. The Institute began operations in 1985 in Helsinki, Finland, as the first research centre of the United Nations University. Today it is a unique blend of think tank, research institute, and UN agency — providing a range of services from policy advice to governments, as well as original research that is ‘open access’. More information on UNU-WIDER's current work programme is available on the institute's website.

UNU-WIDER is looking for an outstanding finance professional with strong commitment and potential to support the Finance Team of the Institute.

Responsibilities

• Support the day-to-day operations for the full spectrum of accounting services with specific focus on accounts payable
• Process payments and prepare vouchers for various accounting entries
• Assist with the financial aspect of travel-related work: including calculation of DSA payments, preparing and/or processing of, e.g. purchase orders, expense claims, vouchers; disburses DSA payments to meeting participants; reviews travel claims and supporting documentation for completeness, accuracy and validity
• Monitor expenditures to ensure they remain within the authorized budget
• Participate in initiatives taken to improve workflow and streamline financial processes to enhance efficiency and productivity
• Attend to enquiries related to finance matters and draft correspondence
• Assist with the closing of monthly accounts, and the preparation of financial reports and supporting schedules
• Assist with duties during absence of other staff within the Finance Team
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned or required.

Required qualifications and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in the field of accounting or finance with at least one (1) year of relevant work experience preferably in an international organization, or,
• Completion of secondary school education with at least four (4) years of relevant work experience preferably in an international organization
• Proficiency in the use of MS Office, particularly in Excel
• Knowledge of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system (preferably Oracle/PeopleSoft) would be an advantage
• Excellent communication skills with fluency in both oral and written English; knowledge of other United Nations official languages and Finnish is an asset
• Diplomacy, aptitude and accuracy in detail work are essential
• Ability to work under minimal supervision and with high level of resilience
• Strong ability to establish priorities, multi-task, and work within tight timelines
• Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Remuneration

Remuneration will commensurate with qualifications, experience and level of responsibilities within the administration.

This is a locally-recruited post and no relocation allowance applies. The post is limited to persons residing in Finland, including persons holding a valid work permit. The successful candidate will be employed under a local contract and will not hold international civil service status nor be a ‘staff member’ as defined in the UN Staff Rules and Regulations.

UNU has its own medical insurance for employees contracted under a Personnel Service Agreement (PSA)

Duration of contract

This is full-time employment on a one (1) year Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU-WIDER, with the possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance, with the combined duration of appointments not exceeding six (6) years.

Starting date: As soon as possible.

Organizational unit

United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)

Reference number

2019/UNU/WIDER/PSA/FA/36