Finance Assistant, Panama City, Panama

## Finance Assistant, Panama City, Panama - Organization:UNODC - Office on Drugs and Crime - Office:UNODC Panama City, Panama Organizational Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean (ROPAN) in Panama, Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Panama City, Panama. The Finance Assistant will work under the overall guidance of the UNODC ROPAN Representative, and the direct supervision of the Assistant Administrative Officer. For more information on UNODC, please visit the website at www.unodc.org Within assigned authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following finance and administrative duties: Finance - Provide all service payments for goods and services to third parties, consultants, individuals, vendors, United Nations (UN) service providers, implementing partners and reimbursement to staff. - Provide support in the review and process of payments in a timely and accurate manner, in accordance with UN Financial Regulations and Rules, and monitor open vendor items to ensure timely recovery of payments and assist in analysing relevant accounts receivables and payables. - Prepare Fund Commitments for services, UN agencies or required payments, and reconcile the related inter-office vouchers (eIOVs) as required. - Monitor payment statuses, identify exceptions or rejected payments along with the possible underlying causes, and take corrective actions. Notify payees on the status of payments. - Serve as the Petty Cash Custodian in accordance with the Delegation of Authority (DoA), ensuring timely replenishments and accurate reporting. - Liaise with counterparts at the UN Financial Services (UNOV/DM/FRMS, UNHQ, etc.) to clear receivables and net payments. - Compile data extracted from the financial system and from other relevant source documents to review the outstanding commitments, advances, Goods Receipt/ Invoice Receipt (GR/IR) balance using the financial systems such as the SharePoint Financial Dashboard, Analytics and the UN’s own applicable Enterprise Resources Planning system (SAP system, Umoja); assist in the preparation of year-end reports and in various financial exercises during the year (clearing of open items, mass closure, accruals). - Assist with the review and analysis of ROPAN accounts by extracting data from the accounting system, investigating financial records and preparing accounting vouchers and corrections to record a wide variety of financial transactions. - Conduct financial data analyses, using various data sources, such as UMOJA, and prepare information using advanced financial office software solutions. - Assist in the preparation of non-core yearly cost estimates and allotments for the ROPAN Office in Panamá. - Assist with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. - Perform other work-related duties as assigned. Administration: - Support with administrative and logistical services for the office. - Provide administrative and operational support for the implementation of project obligations and activities and monitor deadlines, pending actions and follow-up activities. - Provide support with the preparation of Field Office Budget (FOB) procurement plans. - Draft routine correspondence, memoranda and reports. - Maintain administrative and financial files and records, both electronic and in hard copy. - Assist in the preparation of presentation materials using appropriate technology/software. Professionalism: Has knowledge of, and ability to apply, financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment. Has the ability to maintain accurate records, review and interpret a wide variety of data. Has knowledge, skills and ability to extract, interpret, analyse and format data across the full range of finance and budget functions, including programme development and database management. Has the ability to perform analysis, modelling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Demonstrates commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. High school diploma or equivalent is required. Job - Specific Qualification A minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible work experience in finance, accounting, budget, administrative services, procurement support, or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to one (1) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Work experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is required. Work experience using SAP-databased financial systems (such as Umoja), including processing payments, reviewing payments, financial data, preparing financial reports, and performing accounts reconciliations is desirable. Work experience in general office support or related area is desirable. One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Work experience within the UN Common System or a similar International Organization is desirable. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, EnglishandSpanish are required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details). Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and competency-based interview. The appointment against this position is limited to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. THIS IS A FIXED TERM LIMITED POSITION. Appointment against this project post is for an initial period of one (1) year. The candidate selected for this position will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTA-limited”) in accordance with section 2.2 (c) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2025/3 on Administration of appointments. Renewal of appointment is contingent upon continued existence of mandate and availability of funding. If this position is discontinued, the incumbent will be separated from service. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of "internal candidate" in staff rule 4.10 who are selected for this position will be reassigned or transferred to the position, without a