Finance Specialist

Giga; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

UNOPS in New York seeks a Finance Specialist to drive financial integrity, transparency and compliance across projects, under the supervision of the Finance Advisor.

The role bridges HQ policy with field execution, supporting budgeting, cash management, cost recovery, financial reporting and internal controls, strengthening project financial management and client-facing performance.

Qualifications

• Mid level finance professional with focus on financial integrity, transparency and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Act as a bridge between HQ-level policy and field execution to ensure financial integrity and governance.
• Provide budgeting, cash management, cost recovery, financial reporting and internal controls guidance to project/field teams.

Job description

General Information

• Position Title: Finance Specialist
• Job Category: Finance
• Duty Station(s): New York
• Seniority Level: Mid Level
• ICS Level: ICS 10
• Contract Type: ICA - IICA - Regular
• Contract Level: IICA 2
• Posting Start Date: 18-Sep-2026
• Posting End Date: 27-Sep-2026
• Duration: Open ended (renewal subject to good performance, availability of funds, organization requirements and project needs and duration)

Job Highlight

Drive financial integrity, transparency, and compliance, overseeing operations and strengthening financial management across projects and teams.

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

Not Required - part of GPO/NYPO

Job Specific Context

Under the direct supervision of the Finance Advisor, the Finance Specialist will support the Finance Advisor in maintaining a robust control environment. The incumbent acts as a key bridge between HQ-level policy and field execution, ensuring financial integrity and excellence in client-facing performance. The role contributes to the finance vision of being a true business partner to UNOPS projects by providing advice and governance of project financial reporting and closure.

The incumbent will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Important Considerations:

• These Terms of Reference are generic and indicative. Not all tasks listed may be required, and additional duties may be assigned as appropriate and consistent with the scope of services.
• This recruitment aims to fill an ongoing, full-time position. Depending on actual needs, the hiring unit may decide to recruit endorsed qualified professionals for contracts with different working conditions (short/long term, part/full-time, retainer, regular or ongoing positions).

Role Purpose

The Finance Specialist plans, manages and leads project and office financial operations, ensuring integrity, transparency and compliance with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRRs), IPSAS standards, and donor/ partner requirements. The role provides guidance on budgeting, cash management, cost recovery, financial reporting, and internal controls, while strengthening the financial management capacity of project and field teams.

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Finance Specialist directly have an impact on the overall execution of the UNOPS financial services. Accurate analysis and presentation of financial information ensures proper financial processes in the organization.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Provision of strategic financial support to NYO

2. Management of Client Project Financial Closure & Verification of Final Financial Report

3. Project Fund Management and Budget Approvals

4. Lead Partner Financial Reporting, refinement, and capacity building

5. Client reporting and other project finance-related aspects

6. Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing/ Team Management

1. Provision of Strategic Support to NYO

• Develop Finance/Budget annual work plan, setting of priorities and planning of work in line with corporate goals and business planning process for NYO projects.
• Monitor and analyze the operating environment to ensure adequate agility, risk management and quick readjustment of the operations as needed.
• Reduce reputational risk by ensuring NYO's financial reporting requirements are met.
• Lead internal and external audit exercises and accountability for financial audit recommendations.
• Act as the practice specialist by contributing to corporate strategy requirements, and to corporate recommendations made by Finance Group.
• Drive finance function initiatives to ensure added value and optimal support across NYO, as well as the achievement of the Strategic Objectives.
• Contribute with specialist financial knowledge to long-term strategy of NYO's business efficiencies.
• Ensure financial records are maintained and available on file for review by clients upon request.
• Lead the revision of LSS models and manage financial conversations with clients regarding cost recovery.
• Support monthly administration budget monitoring and communicate deviations to relevant teams.

2. Management of Client Project Financial Closure & Verification of Final Financial Report

This includes the preparation of partner-related Final Financial Reports focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Lead financial closure activities, ensuring all activities conclude within agreed financial limits.
• Ensure that project financial closure activities are initiated in a timely manner to guarantee efficient project budget management.
• Responsible for verifying the Final Financial Reports (FFR) for the accurate and timely closure of client projects, in charge of requesting corrections and/or clarification where needed, and ensuring that the final financial reports are tailored to partner-specific needs and share the certified reports with the related field office after the approval of the report.
• Ensure that the FFR issued are in full compliance with UNOPS' rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and partner-reporting requirements as agreed in the legal agreement and/or in the global agreement between UNOPS and the partner.
• Support for any project audit/verification to identify transactions, prepare documentation etc.
• Any other project financial closure and verification tasks as necessary.

3. Project Fund Management and Budget Approvals

• Review and release internal (project) budgets, including cost estimates and budget revisions in line with the approved budgets at engagement/legal agreement level.
• Verify the completeness and accuracy of the supporting documentation for advance financing requests and ensure the associated financial risks are mitigated as much as possible. Submits received requests transparently with a recommendation for action to senior management where applicable.
• Track project budgets and conduct detailed variance analyses to identify risks to budget adherence.
• Ensuring that advance financing is recovered as it becomes due according to the terms of their approval. Escalate cases that can not be recovered as per the original plan, with a recommendation of action to senior management.
• Process refunds/transfer of surplus project cash balances once the partner has accepted the Final Financial Reports, as and when needed. The refunds are based on the approved FFRs, and the incumbent is expected to verify the correct banking information for the cash transfer to the partner.
• Process refunds/transfer of surplus project cash balances for ongoing projects.
• Liaise with FG colleagues to process exceptional financial closure, including application of balances to the unclaimed balance account and oversight of balances on the account.
• Any other project fund management and budget management tasks as necessary.