Finance Assistant

UN Secretariat; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 620,000; Full time

Job summary

UNODC ROSAF in Pretoria, South Africa, seeks a Finance Assistant to provide financial and program administration support for regional initiatives, focusing on GBV grants and donor reporting. The role requires SAP/Umoja experience, budget control, and strong collaboration with senior management.

The ideal candidate has a high school diploma and 5–7+ years in finance, with UN/ERP familiarity and proficiency in MS Office. Fluency in English and French is preferred; work is on-site in Pretoria.

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma; accounting/finance certification desirable.
• Minimum seven years of finance/accounting experience; five years with a first-level university degree.
• Experience with SAP/Umoja or similar ERP in UN or international org desirable.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate financial workflows using UMOJA and UN Secretariat systems.
• Advise senior management on budget planning, control and financial implications.
• Serve as Approving Officer for core funds and process payments.
• Monitor budget implementation, forecast income/expenditure, and manage project finances.
• Prepare financial reports and maintain internal expenditure control systems.
• Ensure compliance with UN policies and procedures and maintain donor reporting.

Skills

Financial analysis

Budget management

Attention to detail

Compliance

Problem-solving

Communication

Teamwork

Data interpretation

Professionalism

Education

High school diploma

Specialized certification in Accounting/Finance

Tools

SAP/Umoja

MS Office

ERP systems

Job description

Organizational context: This position is within the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSAF) in Pretoria, South Africa. The role reports to the Regional Representative and works under the direct supervision of the Head of UNODC Office in Mozambique and the Crime Prevention Officer (GBV), in collaboration with the ROSAF Finance Assistant.

Job purpose: The Finance Assistant provides crucial financial and program administration support for UNODC's initiatives in Mozambique and the broader region, focusing on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) programs and grants. This role ensures adherence to UNODC financial regulations and policies, manages financial workflows through systems like UMOJA, and offers expert advice on budget planning, control, and financial implications. The position is key to maintaining accurate financial records, monitoring project expenditures, and supporting strategic financial decision-making to ensure efficient program delivery and compliance with donor requirements.

Responsibilities: The Finance Assistant is responsible for coordinating financial workflows within the UNODC Regional Office for Southern Africa, utilizing UMOJA and other UN Secretariat systems. Duties include advising senior management on budget planning, control, and financial implications, acting as an Approving Officer for core funds, and processing payments. The role involves monitoring project budget implementation, forecasting income/expenditure, and managing project finances, including grant creation, revisions, and closure in IPMR. Additionally, the Finance Assistant assists in budget preparation, expenditure monitoring against approved budgets, reviewing requisitions, and preparing financial reports. Responsibilities also encompass maintaining internal expenditure control systems, reconciling transactions, managing project-related documents, and ensuring compliance with UN policies and procedures.

Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Specialized certification in Accounting/Finance is desirable.

Work experience: A minimum of seven years of experience in finance, accounting, or a related field is required. This is reduced to five years for candidates with a first-level university degree. Experience with advanced computer applications (MS Office, email) and an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is mandatory. Experience with SAP/Umoja and within the UN system or a similar international organization is desirable.

Skills: Professionalism, Communication, Teamwork, Financial analysis, Budget management, Data interpretation, Compliance, Problem-solving, Attention to detail.

Required languages: English, French

Desired languages: