Finance Associate, Kabul, Afghanistan

## Finance Associate, Kabul, Afghanistan - Organization:UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services - Office:UNOPS Kabul, Afghanistan Position Title:Finance Associate Vacancy Type:Internal candidates only Duty Station(s):Kabul Seniority Level:Associate Contract Type:ICA - LICA - Support - Regular Contract Level:LICA 6 Posting Start Date:12-Aug-2026 Posting End Date:26-Aug-2026 Ensure efficient and compliant financial operations by providing accounting, budget administration, cash management, and financial reporting support, adhering to UNOPS financial rules and regulations. The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region. About the Project Office Since 1995, UNOPS has maintained an active presence in Afghanistan, delivering efficient, agile services in support of both humanitarian response and development efforts. Prior to August 2021, the Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) implemented projects across a broad range of sectors, including infrastructure, procurement, capacity building, and environmental protection. In response to evolving humanitarian needs, AFCO has shifted its focus to supporting life-saving initiatives and basic human needs. Current priorities include managing large-scale cash-for-work programmes, procuring emergency supplies, and providing inter-agency coordination, communication, and accountability support. In November 2023, ADB approved the Verification of Claims and Expenditures Project (VCEP) to conduct a verification of outstanding claims from contractors, consultants, suppliers and project management offices for the works and services completed in Afghanistan under ADB-financed and administered projects prior to 15 August 2021. UNOPS is the executing agency for VCEP. The main objective of VCEP is to verify claims from contractors, consultants and suppliers for works and services completed prior to 15 August 2021 under different types of contracts, including civil works, supply of goods and consulting services in Afghanistan. VCEP also includes a verification of advances provided to contractors, consultants and suppliers and eligible expenditures incurred by the project management offices prior to 15 August 2021 under ADB-financed and administered projects. Under the guidance and supervision of the Finance Senior Officer (ICS-9), the Finance Associate supports the provision of financial services, ensuring high quality, accuracy, and consistency of work. The Finance Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations. Functions / Key Results Expected 1. Budget Administration and Cost Recovery - Support the preparation, monitoring and revision of project and office budgets, ensuring accuracy and alignment with UNOPS financial policies and donor/partner agreements. - Prepare and maintain financial data and analysis on budget utilization, claims and invoices for management decision-making. - Contribute to the preparation of verification reports, follow up with implementing agencies to obtain supporting documentation, and ensure proper recording in the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system and Management Information System (MIS). - Prepare forecasts of payments verified and to be paid under PVEP and liaise with component leads to gather estimates. - Assist in preparation of correspondence and reports in accordance with the set procedures. - Provide inputs on the financial implications of operational plans and support the implementation of cost-saving and efficiency measures. - Assist in project financial closure processes, ensuring accuracy and completeness of records in accordance with UNOPS project closure protocol 2.Accounting and Payments - Review and verify payment requests and supporting documents for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with approved budgets and UNOPS FRRs. - Prepare and process vouchers (purchase orders, accounts payable, and journal vouchers) and execute pay cycles in the ERP system. - Ensure timely and proper control and recording of supporting documents for payments and pending liabilities, goods receipt, service delivery, and accruals. - Maintain an internal expenditure control system, ensuring transactions are properly matched, posted, and supported by adequate documentation. - Process and reconcile accounts receivable and accounts payable, including follow-up with partners and projects on pending items. - Perform monthly and quarterly account reconciliation, identifying and resolving discrepancies in coordination with project teams. - Ensure timely month-end and year-end submission of required financial and progress reports. - Respond promptly to queries to resolve financial data or audit issues. 3.Cash and Treasury Management - Review and monitor cash positions for local claimants to ensure sufficient funds for disbursements. - Ensure the proper recording of receipts, invoices, and other supporting documents. - Prepare monthly cash flow forecasts for expected disbursements and liaise with operations and project teams to gather cash requirement estimates. - Conduct account reconciliations, ensuring accuracy and prompt resolution of variances. - Initiate and record bank transfers, replenishments, and foreign exchange transactions in the ERP system/trackers. 4.Financial Reporting and Analysis - Prepare and review financial reports, verification reports, and management dashboards. - Support preparation of variance analyses, cost distribution summaries, and project-level expenditure reconciliations. - Participate in quarterly and annual financial closure activities, ensuring completeness and consistency of data. - Support internal and external audit exercises, ensuring timely submission of documentation and clearance of audit findings. - Analyze and prepare adjusting entries (GLJEs) and ensure accuracy of financial postings across projects. - Initiate communication with claimants eligible for payments under PVEP to obtain information/documents required to process their payments. - Support checking of partners/contractors and key personnel against sanction lists. - Obtain confirmation from the donor on the sanction status of each partner/contractor. 5.Knowledge Building and Sharing - Support the organization, facilitation and delivery of training and learning sessions on finance topics. - Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned. - Conduct research on finance-related topics and contribute to the drafting of reports, summaries and briefing notes. - Ensure full compliance with the verification methodologies and processes agreed with the donor and other stakeholders. - Ensure compliance with the data management SoPs, including documentation categories and naming conventions, etc. Account Reconciliation, Data Management, Due Diligence, Financial Analysis, Financial Audits, Financial Reporting, Spreadsheets, Budgeting Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do t