Finance Specialist

Job Highlight

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the Treasury Middle Office function within UNOPS, contributing to the organization's financial stability and operational efficiency on a global scale. The position provides exposure to a wide range of treasury activities, including banking relations, cash management, risk management, and systems optimization, with opportunities for professional growth and development in a dynamic international environment.

About The Group
The Finance Group serves as a strategic partner and fiduciary advisor, ensuring transparent, accountable, and effective resource management across UNOPS. The Group defines financial strategy in alignment with organizational goals, establishes finance policies, systems, and processes, and leads corporate budgeting to enable full cost recovery and ensure long-term financial sustainability. Throughout the project lifecycle, the Finance Group provides expert guidance, oversight, and tailored financial solutions. Responsibilities include delivering comprehensive financial and corporate performance reporting, strengthening financial capacity across the organization, and continuously enhancing resource planning and allocation. In addition, the Finance Group prepares and oversees the implementation of finance-related policies, upholding the highest standards of financial stewardship and supporting UNOPS in achieving operational excellence and fiscal responsibility.

Role Purpose
The Finance Specialist Middle office reports to the Head of Treasury Middle Office and Control, in the Treasury & Investment Management team.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Banking and Cash Management (Operations & Control)
• Monitor cash positions and cash forecasting across UNOPS global bank accounts in all currencies, and address any inaccuracies.
• Support initiatives to systematically improve the accuracy of cash management and forecasting.
• Review the Payment Bank Matrix to ensure UNOPS' payments are routed successfully and cost-effectively.
• Assist the Shared Services Centre Payment Factory team in escalating severe or recurring payment issues (rejections, returns, errors, duplications, etc.).
• Support Treasury Control to oversee the monthly bank-to-book reconciliation of UNOPS' bank accounts done by the Shared Services Centre Bank Reconciliation team.
• Support the Bank Reconciliation team on resolution of any escalated issues.
• Effect payment instructions by signing or approving transfer orders, bank instructions, and cheques for treasury activities, or other operations where required.
• Support the statement and payment connectivity with banks (SWIFT or H2H connectivity) in collaboration with the Finance Senior Analyst - Middle Office, Finance Specialist - Treasury Solutions, and ICT.
• Review, approve and monitor bank charges and bank interest postings.
• Contribute to the quarterly and annual processes around the books closure processes performed by the Financial Statements & UNBOA Relations team.
• Banking Relations and Field Advisory
• In collaboration with the Front Office, support the establishment, management, and maintenance of arrangements with commercial banks and multilateral institutions to effect cost-effective and secure payments.
• Support Front Office to complete the opening and closure of bank accounts in TMS and ERP, as well as the maintenance of UNOPS bank accounts.
• Continuously build the treasury relationship with regional and local offices relating to banking and cash management solutions for projects.
• Support Front Office to advise field offices in the usage of project cash management instruments or project related payment reviews (e.g., operational advances, petty cash, credit, and prepaid cards, prepayments, mobile payments, and cash delivery).
• Monitor the performance of prepayment, petty cash accounts, and operational advances.
• Assist field offices with advice on queries related to project cash management instruments.
• Risk Management and Compliance
• Review and approve financial transactions in compliance with UNOPS' policies.
• Develop dashboards, monitor risks, and provide analyses on banking & cash management matters to the CFO, Deputy CFO, and Treasurer.
• Monitor and manage the access to banking portals for UNOPS' accounts.
• Monitor UNOPS' signatory panels and initiate any changes required.
• Monitor the dual signature of cheques used by UNOPS.
• Lead, coordinate, and oversee daily and timely execution of financial transactions in the Treasury Management System (TMS).
• Perform systematic risk assessments of cash management instruments used by Field Offices (e.g., operational advances, petty cash, credit/prepaid cards).
• Report Treasury KPI/KRI regularly.
• Assist on audit requests.
• Treasury Systems and Processes
• Review and approve changes to the Treasury Management System's (TMS) core data, and contribute to the management of the same.
• Review and approve financial transactions in compliance with UNOPS' policies.
• Formulate business requirements of banking and cash management for new processes or features in the ERP, the TMS, or other treasury related systems.
• Contribute innovative ideas in relation to treasury processes, solutions, tools, or systems.
• Contribute to the improvement of banking policies and guidelines.
• Contribute to the year-end closure process and in the preparation of the year-end financial statements for assigned areas.
• Team Leadership and Knowledge Management
• Lead the team and shape it to maximize the Treasury Middle Office function for UNOPS in collaboration with the Head of Middle Office & Control.
• Establish team priorities and supervise the implementation of the Middle Office work plan.
• Define clear objectives, performance measurements, and standards to ensure the delivery of timely, client-focused services.
• Promote collaboration by providing the team with direction and guidance, enabling them to perform duties responsibly and efficiently.
• Contribute practical knowledge to the enhancement of practice policies and procedural developments.
• Drive innovation by recommending process efficiency initiatives and incorporating financial services best practices into UNOPS operations.
• Actively contribute to global knowledge sharing by maintaining information systems and disseminating best practices across regions.
• Support organizational development by facilitating a framework for sharing lessons learned, ensuring knowledge is utilized to the fullest extent.
• Plan and implement capacity-building initiatives for personnel, clients, and stakeholders.
• Provide comprehensive training on organizational processes, rules, policies, and systems where appropriate and applicable
• Foster a positive, inclusive work environment that respects diversity and ensures the highest standards of conduct are observed.

Required
Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience OR
• Master's degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 5 years of relevant experience is required

Desired

• A globally or nationally recognized professional certificate in Treasury is desired.

*Required
Experience Requirements*

• Relevant experience is work in Finance, Banking, Treasury or related areas.
• Experience using a Treasury Management Systems.

Desired

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
• Experience with treasury in fragile contexts and developing/frontier markets desired.
• Exposure and experience working with other treasury technology (e.g., trading platforms, payment connections, single and multi-bank platforms) and implementation experience is desired.
• Specific experience in Middle Office/Back Office operations is desired.
• Knowledge of financial instruments (Fixed Income, Money Markets, and options) transaction processing is desired.
• Experience using SWIFT is desired.