Programme Management Senior Associate (Finance)

The Programme Management Senior Associate (Finance) supports financial and project management operations within the South Asia Multi-Country Office, ensuring compliance with UNOPS financial rules and effective project delivery. The role involves budget monitoring, financial reporting, procurement coordination, and administrative support to contribute to sustainable development initiatives in South Asia.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day finance operations and compliance with UNOPS and donor financial rules
• Ensure compliance with UNOPS rules, policies, audit recommendations, and support an effective internal control framework
• Contribute to drafting and updating Finance Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and propose cost-saving and efficiency measures
• Apply donor eligibility, verification and reporting rules alongside UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations
• Promote a client-focused financial services culture across the project and support units
• Support budget setup, control and monitoring from agreement to closure
• Set up accounts from project agreements and maintain budget structures aligned to agreed outputs and milestones
• Compile data for budget estimates and revisions, and approve budgets (as delegated)
• Monitor allotments, commitments and expenditures; analyse variances and agree corrective actions
• Maintain budget controls within approved limits and support project closure
• Track works, goods, grants and technical assistance separately against output-level ceilings
• Maintain treasury, accounting and reporting processes in line with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations and donor requirements
• Monitor cash positions, prepare cash-flow forecasts and initiate transfers
• Review and clear payment requests, verifying funding availability, coding and supporting documents; process payroll, travel and vendor disbursements
• Manage petty cash and operational advances, maintain cashbooks and perform account reconciliations
• Maintain ledgers and accounting records; ensure accurate ERP posting and period-end close
• Review vouchers, goods receipt/invoice receipt (GR/IR) entries and accruals; resolve unposted items, match exceptions and coding errors
• Prepare bank reconciliations, segregated from payment operations, and respond to audit queries
• Prepare expenditure schedules, interim financial reports (IFRs), donor statements and management reports
• Reconcile balance-sheet accounts, investigate discrepancies and post general ledger (GL) adjustments
• Coordinate with region and headquarters on data quality, audit readiness and reporting deadlines
• Support the supervisor in managing project implementation and financial performance to ensure compliance with UNOPS rules, regulations, and reporting standards
• Prepare and maintain financial disbursement reports and progress updates in coordination with Finance and relevant units
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including financial records, audit files, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) entries (oneUNOPS), ensuring accuracy and completeness
• Track project budgets, cash flow, and expenditures. Identify variances, propose budget revisions, and initiate corrective actions when necessary
• Record project data and updates in relevant logs and registers, ensuring information accuracy for reporting and audits
• Take minutes of meetings, track action points, and assist in compiling periodic project performance reports and completion reports
• Prepare financial inputs to donor progress and completion reports, ensuring delivery and expenditure are consistent
• Maintain the audit trail for grant disbursements, including verification of milestone-based claims
• Assist in day-to-day project execution, ensuring adherence to UNOPS project management methodologies, financial regulations, and quality standards
• Support the preparation, amendment, and monitoring of project work plans, agreements, and budget revisions
• Facilitate communication between partners, service providers, and internal teams to ensure the timely delivery of project activities
• Track project milestones, risks, and issues, maintaining updated records and assisting with mitigation planning
• Support preparation and review of contractors’ invoices, verification of supporting documents, and coordination of deliverables
• Contribute to identifying operational or administrative bottlenecks and propose practical solutions to enhance project efficiency
• Support financial administration of contracts
• Support reconciliation of jointly reported figures and cost-sharing arrangements
• Provide administrative assistance in project operations, including HR coordination, procurement planning, and logistical arrangements
• Support the preparation of Terms of Reference (ToRs), contracts, and purchase orders. Review supporting documentation before submission for approval
• Coordinate and organize workshops, trainings, meetings, and missions, ensuring timely logistical, financial, and travel arrangements
• Liaise with Finance, HR, and Procurement units to process payments, monitor commitments, and ensure compliance with internal control systems
• Maintain project correspondence, records, and filing systems in accordance with UNOPS document management policies
• Support onboarding, induction, and contract management processes for project personnel and consultants
• Support financial and logistical arrangements for field-based activities
• Assist in the preparation of project budgets, forecasts, and expenditure reports, ensuring accuracy and timely submission
• Monitor financial transactions, disbursements, and vendor payments in alignment with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations
• Review and reconcile project accounts, ensuring that expenditures align with approved budgets and work plans
• Coordinate procurement processes, including requisition preparation, evaluation support, and tracking of contracts and purchase orders
• Facilitate communication with vendors, manage documentation for procurement and financial activities, and ensure timely service delivery
• Support project audits by maintaining complete financial documentation and assisting in implementing audit recommendations
• Support the organization, facilitation, and delivery of training and learning sessions on project management
• Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned
• Conduct research on project management-related topics and contribute to the drafting of reports, summaries, and briefing notes
• Provide guidance to project and counterpart staff on budget management, payment documentation and eligibility requirements

Requirements

• Masters degree or equivalent with 1 year of relevant experience in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Project/ Programme Management or other relevant discipline, or Bachelor's degree or equivalent with 3 years of relevant experience, or Technical/Professional Diploma with 5 years of relevant experience, or High School Diploma with 7 years of relevant experience
• Certification in Project Management (e.g., PRINCE2, PMP)
• Certification in Finance or Accounting
• Relevant experience in project management, finance, or administrative support roles, with a focus on financial monitoring, reporting, and compliance
• Demonstrable proficiency in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite) and web-based management systems
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (e.g., oneUNOPS)
• Experience in an international organization or a complex project environment
• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organisations in a developing country
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts, including post-disaster recovery and early recovery operations
• Experience supporting grant or small-grants facilities, including disbursement and verification

Skills

• Project Management
• Prince2
• PMP Certification
• Finance Certification
• Accounting Certification
• Financial Monitoring
• Financial Reporting
• Financial Compliance
• Budget Monitoring
• Procurement Coordination
• Grant Management
• Disbursement Verification
• ERP Systems
• OneUNOPS
• Microsoft Office Suite
• G-Suite
• Web-based Management Systems
• International Organization Experience
• Multicultural Environment Experience
• Development Context Experience
• Humanitarian Experience

Languages

English, Sinhala, Tamil