Job Description

Please note that this vacancy is only open to eligible staff members who have been individually notified of their eligibility to apply for positions advertised in the Accelerated Posting Compendium.

June 12, 2026

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential Location

Nairobi (CO), Kenya

PR2

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-26

Associate Finance Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Regional Controller or Senior Finance Officer and in functional coordination with the Division of Resource Management (DRM)'s Admin, Finance and Treasury Service (AFTS). In the Country or Multi-Country Offices, the incumbent may be supervised by a Senior Finance Officer, Assistant Representative - Administration, Head of Sub-Office, or other senior positions as delegated by the Representative.
The incumbent is responsible for coordinating, guiding, monitoring, advising on, and supporting the financial operations in the area of responsibility (AoR). With the objective to safeguard and optimize the utilization of UNHCR's monetary and physical resources, the incumbent contributes to the establishment of efficient and reliable mechanisms and processes to ensure compliance with UN financial regulations and UNHCR's rules, policies and procedures including, and not limited to, accounts payable and treasury processes, accounting, and implementation of internal control mechanisms, including support to oversight and audit functions.
The incumbent may support the supervisor with the identification and management of risks under their responsibility in close coordination with the Risk Management and Compliance Advisor. In the Regional Bureaux, the incumbent supports the work of the Regional Controller with authority to discuss problems and seek common ground on which to recommend solutions based on predetermined guidelines provided by higher authority.
The incumbent may directly supervise national professional and general service staff.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- Contribute to the assessment of budgetary needs for administrative budgets (ABOD); monitor and control ABOD expenditure.
- Analyse, evaluate and control disbursements/receipts, as well as expenditure variances against approved budgets.
- Review and approve vouchers, including ABOD and project disbursements.
- Propose monthly cash requirements for the Office, and ensure adequate and timely replenishments of funds.
- Contribute to the preparation and processing of monthly accounts.
- Provide financial status reports to supervisors.
- Analyse and evaluate all financial reports produced on a regular basis.
- Maintain effective business relationships with local banks.
- Assist in ensuring compliance with UNHCR and UN Financial Regulations and Rules, policies and procedures.
- Ensure that payments are effectuated by the monthly deadline.
- Ensure that monthly accounts are correct and approved, and ensure timely monthly bank reconciliations, including open items, review and clearance of unwanted requisitions and PO balances.
- Conduct regular checks of petty cash and cash accounts.
- Perform project control functions, in the absence of a dedicated project control position.
- Participate in the physical verification of UNHCR's local property, plant and equipment (PPE) and inventories.
- Verify that all financial transactions are correct and in accordance with UNHCR rules and procedures.
- In the absence of a senior finance position, ensure compliance with applicable financial rules, policies and procedures.
- In the absence of a senior finance position, certify country-level financial expenditure reports submitted to the regional office or Headquarters.

Regional financial services applicable to positions in the Regional Bureau only
- In coordination with relevant services in HQ, and to improve cost-effectiveness and process efficiency for operations, assist with the implementation and management of regional finance-related services such as: vendor and other related master data management and maintenance, invoice posting, travel claim processing, payments, bank reconciliations, accounting housekeeping and period cut-off activities, donor financial reporting, etc.
- Make proposals for the continuous improvement of financial monitoring and control mechanisms, including the streamlining of financial systems and procedures.
- In coordination with DRM and Field Support Section, identify and provide training on accounting matters, and recommend or develop training modules as necessary, aiming at the development of financial management skills.
- In close liaison with DRM System Administration Section and other divisions as necessary, assist the provision and planning of activities for rollout of new processes or systems; assist the Regional Controller in monitoring the implementing internal control mechanisms and compliance with UNHCR's financial policies and procedures in the region.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Accounting, Finance, Public or Business Administration, Economics
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Professional accounting, auditing or financial management designation (CPA/ACCA/CIA/CMA or equivalent).
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Work experience in the field of accounting/finance, project management, business analysis, quality assurance and/or risk management. Good knowledge of, and experience in working with, international accounting and auditing standards, with a minimum of 1 year of practical experience in the audit process and/or in financial statements preparation. Working experience with accrual accounting (such as IPSAS or IFRS). Experience with financial modules of a major Enterprise Resource Planning system (such as PeopleSoft, SAP or Oracle). Good understanding of project and resource management.

Desirable
Good knowledge of UNHCR systems (such as COMPASS and CloudERP). Excellent knowledge of United Nations financial rules and procedures.

Functional Skills
FI-ERP Financial Management (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Workday and other)
FI-Financial Accrual Accounting under internationally accepted standards (IFRS,IPSAS,etc)
PM-Project Monitoring
DM-Data Collection and Analysis
EL-Monitoring and Evaluation
FI-Financial Accounting - Modified cash-based accounting as per international standards
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

• In the complex operational context of northern DRC, the ideal candidate for the Head of Field Unit (HoFU) position in Libenge must bring a strong and proven protection background, with solid experience managing protection in mixed situations (IDPs, refugees, returnees). S/he should demonstrate the ability to lead UNHCR operations in remote, resource-constrained and hard-to-reach areas, ensuring principled, protection-driven delivery of assistance despite significant access and logistical challenges.
• Proven expertise in voluntary repatriation (VolRep), including planning, coordination under tripartite frameworks, and management of operational and protection risks in fluid contexts.
• Strong capacity to advance refugee inclusion in national systems is essential, working closely with authorities and development actors to support sustainable, solutions-oriented programming. In this regard, the candidate must demonstrate the ability to operationalize the Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus, fostering joint analysis, planning and programming to strengthen resilience, social cohesion, and pathways to durable solutions.
• Given the volatile environment, the HoFU must have strong security risk management capacity, including the ability to anticipate, analyze and mitigate security threats, manage community sensitivities, and ensure effective contingency planning and crisis response at field level.
• Strong leadership in team management, ensuring staff well-being, integrity and accountability, while maintaining operational continuity and delivering impactful, cost-effective programmes in a constrained funding environment.
• Languages: Fluency in French and English are essential.

French

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Bunia is classified as a Security Level 3 and E duty station affected by insecurity linked to the activities of armed and terrorist groups, intercommunal tensions, anti-UN sentiment. Medical infrastructure and evacuation capacities remain limited, while public electricity and water supply are unreliable. Malaria and psychological stress linked to the operational context remain significant concerns. Strict compliance with UNDSS security measures and health precautions is therefore required.

Nature of Position:

As of 1 January 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) hosts approximately 604,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, as well as more than 6.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), mainly located in the provinces of Ituri, Kasai, North Kivu, South Kivu, and Tanganyika. As lead agency of the Protection Cluster, UNHCR continues to play a key role in supporting the Government of the DRC in the implementation of durable solutions strategies aimed at breaking cycles of protracted displacement across the country.

The Bunia Field Office provides protection and assistance to South Sudanese refugees in Ituri and Haut-Uele provinces through an integrated service delivery approach designed to promote self-reliance and advance alternatives-to-camps policies. In collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees (CNR) and implementing partners, the Office operates in four refugee sites — Bele, Meri, Biringi, and Adumi — the latter having been established following new influxes from South Sudan in December 2025. The Office also pays particular attention to thousands of refugees living within host communities along the border, who continue to face significant security risks, food insecurity, and limited access to basic social services. In addition, the Office leads the Protection, Shelter/NFI, and CCCM Clusters, supporting approximately 927,743 displaced persons, underscoring the scale and persistence of displacement across the province. Ongoing insecurity in Ituri has undermined efforts to preserve the civilian and humanitarian character of displacement sites due to the infiltration of armed elements and weak local governance structures. The fragmentation of non-state armed groups (NSAGs) has limited the impact of peace initiatives, while persistent insecurity continues to restrict humanitarian access, disrupt essential services, and hamper economic recovery.

As lead agency for the CCCM Cluster, and within the framework of the ongoing integration of Shelter/NFI and HLP coordination structures, UNHCR coordinates site management, shelter, housing, land and property, and protection activities aimed at safeguarding displaced populations. The Bunia Office also manages the Field Units of Faradje and Beni.

The incumbent will be responsible for coordinating, guiding, monitoring, advising on, and supporting financial, human resources and administrative operations within the Area of Responsibility (AoR). With the objective of safeguarding and optimizing the use of UNHCR’s monetary and physical resources, the incumbent will contribute to the establishment of efficient and reliable financial mechanisms and processes to ensure compliance with UN financial regulations and UNHCR rules, policies, and procedures, including but not limited to accounts payable and treasury processes, accounting functions, and implementation of internal control mechanisms, including support to oversight and audit functions.
The incumbent will also support the Office in the implementation of general administrative and resource management tasks. The incumbent will report directly to the Head of Field Office in Bunia and will receive technical guidance from the Senior Administrative/Finance Officer in Kinshasa.

Living and Working Conditions:

Bunia is a small town serving as the capital of Ituri Province. Its population was estimated at approximately 692,836 inhabitants in 2026. It has a national airport receiving UNHAS and MONUSCO international flights from Entebbe. Public electricity supply remains unreliable, and access to public water supply is also limited and inconsistent.

While Bunia’s population has grown rapidly due to displacement in Ituri Province, urban infrastructure has not expanded at the same pace. Housing conditions remain generally poor and of modest quality. However, Bunia offers moderate housing opportunities, including secure compounds and furnished residences for humanitarian and expatriate staff. Availability remains limited, and rental prices are relatively high due to strong demand from NGOs, UN agencies, and private sector actors.

The climate is tropical wet and dry. Medical facilities in Bunia remain limited and are not adequately equipped to handle serious medical conditions. Medical evacuation opportunities are constrained due to the limited number of flights, although air ambulance evacuation can be arranged during daytime for life-threatening emergencies. Candidates with medical conditions requiring regular treatment or supervision should therefore be appropriately advised.

Malaria remains the most common disease in the area. As a general recommendation, applicants for the position should be psychologically prepared for the above-mentioned operational context.

Bunia is an E duty station with a two-year Standard Assignment Length (SAL). Banking facilities in Bunia remain limited. Telephone networks are not always reliable; however, the Office has functional PAMA and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts: Accounting, Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: Finance, Bachelor of Arts: Public Professions

Certifications

Accounting - Other, Auditing - Other, Financial Management - Other

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Accelerated Posting Compendium 2026 - Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance