Company/Organization Name: 
The UNHCR Country Office in Cyprus
Comments/description: 

UNHCR has been present in Cyprus since 1974 when it arrived on the island to provide humanitarian aid for the displaced populations in both communities. By 1998, the need for relief assistance for internally displaced Cypriots had declined, and UNHCR handed over the work to other UN development agencies. With the increase of refugee arrivals in 1998, and in the absence of national asylum legislation and infrastructure,UNHCR had to assume the responsibilities for registering asylum-seekers arriving on the island and processing their applications. In 2000, the Republic of Cyprus adopted its first national refugee legislation and asylum procedures, and in 2002 it took over from UNHCR the responsibility for asylum adjudication. 

UNHCR’s fundamental business in Cyprus is to assist the Government to further refine and improve its asylum legislation and the procedures and capacities for a refugee protection system fully in line with international standards. This requires that existing gaps and weaknesses in the national asylum legislation and practice are addressed; migration management policies incorporate protection safeguards; the refugee status determination procedures are further reformed to make them both fair and efficient; and programmes are put in place to help refugees find a durable solution by way of local integration.

The Government of Cyprus is UNHCR’s key partner in its mission to ensure the protection of refugees and asylum-seekers in accordance with international and European Union standards. Over the years, UNHCR has strengthened its partnership with various Government ministries, especially those of the interior, foreign affairs, justice, education and labour and social affairs. UNHCR has also established constructive working relations and mutual co-operation with the relevant Parliamentary committees, the Ombudsman, the Office of the Child Commissioner, diplomatic missions, the media, and others.

UNHCR has forged useful links with a number of local NGOs and other members of civil society. At present, UNHCR has a funding-based partnership agreement with two NGOs: Cyprus Refugee Council (CyRC) provides free legal and social advice to asylum-seekers and refugees in the Republic of Cyprus and Refugee Rights Association (Mülteci Hakları Derneği) is a Turkish Cypriot NGO helping UNHCR address the protection needs of asylum-seekers arriving in the northern part of the island.

Deadline of application: 
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Description: 

The Finance Assistant will report to the Administrative Associate and receive regular guidance from his/her supervisor. S/he will assist in the maintenance of financial records and monitoring systems, and will be responsible to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, payments, statements, other data for day-to-day transactions and prepare monthly reports on accounts for submission as needed. The Finance Assistant will provide support on procurement related activities including the preparation and launch of requests for quotation, issuance of Purchase Requisitions and Purchase Orders. S/he will be responsible for travel bookings and issue and process Travel Authorization (TA), Travel Advances and Travel Claims in line with the rules and regulations in place. S/he will prepare, update and maintain inventory records of non-expendable equipment. The Finance Assistant will assist in preparation of the office's yearly ABOD and will prepare reports on UNHCR's implementing partners' project expenditure to track project implementation progress. S/He will assist with the verification of the financial status of projects and support the recommendation of acceptance or non-acceptance of IPRs and payment of instalments. As the functions of the Finance Assistant are multifaceted, flexibility and ability to take initiative are integral to the post. Excellent knowledge of Greek and English is essential. Knowledge of Turkish will be considered an asset.

For full vacancy details, job description, duties, requirements and instructions on how to apply:

Interested external applicants are invited to apply online and complete the mandatory motivation letter. For help with technical issues with online applications, please contact the Global Service Desk (hqussd@unhcr.org) well before the deadline to allow sufficient time for any technical problems to be resolved. External vacancies are posted on the external UNHCR website and applicants who do not have internal status must apply through the external UNHCR website: Visit https://www.unhcr.org/careers.html > Careers > Career opportunities > Other Opportunities > Vacancies; sort by Location (Nicosia) or search by Job Opening number (24651).

Notes:

Not signed, incomplete and late applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates will be required to undertake a written test. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing or any other fees).

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

 

Required Languages:
Salary Information: 
Fixed
Region:
Required Qualifications/Skills: 

Finance; Business Administration; Accounting;

Relevant Job Experience is essential;

Good Computer skills;

Desirable:
Knowledge of MSRP PeopleSoft application or similar software. Good knowledge of UNHCR financial rules, regulations, procedures and processes. Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to the functions of the position.

Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
UN-UN/UNHCR Financial Rules and Regulations and Procedures
IT-Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
(Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)