II. Organizational Context

This position is located within the Humanitarian Financing Unit (HFU) for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Ethiopia. The HFU currently oversees and manages the Ethiopia Humanitarian Fund (EHF) and the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). The post is based in Addis Ababa, with constant travel to project locations in all regions.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Head of HFU, the National Humanitarian Program Officer provides substantial support and oversight to the overall project cycle management, administration, and execution of varied and inter-related operational activities. In this role, the incumbent will ensure high quality, accuracy and accountability of the work performed. The National Humanitarian Program Officer promotes a client, quality, and results-oriented approach. The National Humanitarian Program Officer will also work in close collaboration with colleagues in various units and sub-offices of OCHA Ethiopia, as well as in other UN agencies staff to exchange information and ensure consistent and quality service delivery.
III. Functions / Key Results Expected

Under the guidance of the Head of the Humanitarian Financing Unit (HFU) and supervision of the international Finance Officer, the national Finance Officer is expected to perform the following tasks:

Summary of key functions:
• Financial Review
• Financial Management
• Administration

Financial Review:

• Facilitate the review and revision process of project proposals in consultation with sector leads and other technical partners and advise organizations on recommended revisions, assisting them in revision drafting if required.
• Support the Finance Officer in the review of grant agreements and supporting documents to ensure accuracy, consistency, reasonableness and compliance with the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules (UNFRR) and the Country-Based Pooled Funds (CBPF) Guidelines.
• Review project budgets to determine “normal costs and variations” in project expenditure areas to be determined.
• Review of budget amendments, reprogramming, or No-Cost Extension requests.
• Conduct market cost survey for items commonly purchased under CBPF projects and maintain a database to support cost effectiveness analysis of proposals to CBPF.
• Reconcile advisory reports from HQ with CBPF records on project performance status and financial statements.
• Communicate concerns about proposals, project documents, or implementing partners to the relevant HFU Manager.
• Assist in the preparation of financial analyses for the CBPF Annual Reports and other progress or ad-hoc reports.
• Support the Finance Officer/Pooled Fund Manager in drafting budgets for services to be contracted to outside entities.
• Verify Implementing Partners (IP) financial documentation as required.

Financial Management:

• Conduct partner sensitization on CBPF procedures and guidelines for accessing grants, as well.
• as regarding compliance with the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules (UNFRR) and
• the Guidelines for Country-Based Pooled Funds (CBPF) through participation in meetings and
• workshops.
• Support preparation of paperwork related to Humanitarian Coordinator project approval and
• disbursement actions (Fund Transfer Requests, agreements, MoU, etc.).
• Support preparation of and execution of transfer agreements to be signed by NGO and HC,
• following up on requests to the HFU to arrange for fund transfers to partners and notify payees.
• of status of payments.
• Assist HFU staff and CBPF stakeholders regarding queries on payment and deposit related.
• issues.
• Track, collect and review financial reports from CBPF partners to ensure accuracy and
• compliance with CBPF guidelines and provides feedback to partner as necessary.
• Assist in tracking project spending and ensure that future payments are approved based on
• satisfactory financial reporting and justification of previous advances.
• Support the preparation and take part in periodic financial spot-check visits to partner offices, in
• line with operational modalities and guidelines.
• Participate in drafting financial spot-check monitoring reports and recommendations to partners following visits to partners.
• Liaise with companies carrying out financial audit of partners and financial spot-checks ensuring compliance with the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules (UNFRR).
• Supporting the process of recovery of funds if necessary.
• Maintain complete, accurate and updated detailed list of disbursements to IP.
• Support Fund analysis for informing future allocations.

• Administration:
  • Support the Fund Manager in liaising with companies carrying out contractual services on behalf.
  • of the HFU and provide support and information as and when required.
  • Keeps up to date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to
  • program budgets and the CBPF in general.
  • Prepare documentation and reports for country-level coordination forums.
  • Perform other duties as required.

IV. Impact of Results

• Develop well-reasoned, innovative suggestions and approaches to problem resolution in dealing with
  complex financial/budget issues. Assist in the management of funding programming projects and
  partners, ensuring timely delivery of outputs. Help meet organizational objectives and provide sound.
  analytical inputs and advice with respect to coordination of humanitarian financing and monitoring.
  V. Competencies and Critical Success Factors

Corporate Competencies

•  Demonstrates commitment to UNOCHA’s mission, vision, and values.

• Displays culture, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Core competencies:

• Planning and organizing

• Communication and networking

•  Teamwork

• Managing resources

• Integrity

• Client orientation

• Technological awareness

•  Knowledge management and learning

• Analytical and conceptual thinking

Job Requirement

• Education:: Master’s degree, or Bachelor’s in the areas of Accounting, Project Management, Business Administration, or any related field is required

• Experience: Zero years of experience with Advanced Degree and a minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience with a bachelor’s degree.

• Relevant professional experience in analytical and writing skills, and experience with project budgeting and proposal writing are required.

• Experience in financial auditing is required.

• Experience in the UN Common System or comparable international organization is desirable.

• Language Requirements: Fluency in the UN and national language of the duty station

Duty Station:    Addis Ababa

How to Apply

Submit your CVs, letter of motivation and supporting documents via email: ocha-eth-hr@un.org

N.B: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.