Grants Financial Monitoring and Compliance Officer

Job Highlight

The Grants Financial Monitoring and Compliance Officer will maintain a robust financial management process that supports successful delivery of large-scale grant-funded activities implemented by FPs. Reporting directly to the Grant Management Specialist and secondary reporting to the Finance Advisor, this position provides essential financial management, monitoring and reporting support. The Grants Financial Monitoring and Compliance Officer implements initiatives aimed at strengthening FP financial management and compliance with applicable policies, procedures and donor requirements.

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.

Role Purpose

The Grants Financial Monitoring and Compliance Officer is responsible for maintaining and strengthening the grants financial management system and will work closely with the Finance Specialist and Grant Management Specialist. The role is responsible for financial management and monitoring, capacity building and compliance, and will also contribute to the identification and sharing of best practices in financial and grants management.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Financial Monitoring and Reporting for Grant Management Activities
• In collaboration with the program team and supervisors, develop schedules for financial monitoring/spot checks. Coordinate, assign and oversee field monitoring, verifications missions and spot checks conducted by Grants Financial Monitoring and Compliance Associates, and develop summarised reports. Service as the focal point for financial monitoring of FPs, acting as lead during spot checks and financial verifications
• Actively follow up on action points arising from past spot check reports, TPMA reports and financial reviews
• With support from direct supervisor, lead and conduct spot checks at FP HQ level
• Support the analysis and identification of financial risks and the implementation of recommended internal control procedures
• With support from direct supervisor, establish key financial performance indicators for FPs to strengthen their financial management performance
• Review FP financial reports and verify supporting documents for sampled expenditures, assess alignment of expenditures with project outputs and recommend improvements
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial information in ERP and other grants reporting platforms, to support the Grants Management System
• Systematically and regularly update all files held in relation to grants and reconcile this data with other records where relevant
• Capacity Building
• With support from direct supervisor, organize, manage, and oversee the implementation of training activities within the framework of the Project’s Capacity building Plan, focusing on financial management and reporting
• With support from direct supervisor, develop the training materials informed by findings and observations from audits, spot checks, TPMA reports, and other financial reviews
• With support from direct supervisor, deliver training sessions to FP Finance staff to ensure compliance with the grant agreement and increase the capacity of the FPs
• Support the capacity development of Grants Financial Monitoring and Compliance Associates through coaching, mentoring, and on-the-job support
• Compliance
• Support direct supervisor in providing capacity-building assistances to Financial Partners (FPs) and the Project Team to ensure full compliance with applicable financial management policies, internal control requirements, and procedures
• Coordinate closely with the Finance Team to ensure that grant support related revenue and expenses are recorded and reported in compliance with IPSAS and other applicable financial reporting standards
• In collaboration with the program team, interpret and provide guidance on financial procedures to FPs to ensure a clear understanding of, and compliance with the Project Operations Manual (POM), grant support agreement and UNOPS requirements
• Comply with IPSAS requirements IPSAS 47 and 48
• Provide inputs to the IPSAS reporting requirements
• Knowledge Management and Sharing
• Support direct supervisor in undertaking relevant training and learning opportunities to strengthen expertise in finance and grants management tools, approaches and procedures
• Document and share lessons learned and best practices, with FPs, project team and other relevant fora
• Contribute to the overall knowledge sharing and collaboration within the Finance team; and Grants and Contracts team in UNOPS Grants Management “Community of Practice”
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Work closely with the FP Finance leads and field office team to ensure coordinated financial oversight and consistent application of monitoring procedures
• Contribute to continuous improvement of financial monitoring tools, templates, and procedures with all relevant stakeholders
• Project Closure
• Contribute to grant closure processes by reviewing FP financial documentation and confirming completeness and accuracy of records
• Assist in analysis and review of the final financial reports submitted by the FPs prior to the processing of final payments by Finance Unit
• Coordinate and support the grant audit process, including liaison with relevant stakeholders
• Ad-hoc Assignments
  
  

• First University Degree in Finance, Accountancy, Finance Management or equivalent disciplines
• A certification in chartered accountancy is accepted in lieu of a first-level university degree.
  
  

• Professional certification, such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or similar
  
  

• A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience with responsibility for financial management support, project accounting, budgeting and financial reporting or related fields is required
• Experience working with grants projects, including monitoring financial performance, reviewing financial reports and providing capacity building support to grantees
• Knowledge of UNOPS financial rules and regulations is an asset.
• Good understanding of local fiscal policies and procedures
• Computer skills are required
  
  

• Experience working with the UN, World Bank and/or other donor agencies, government ministries, and/or NGOs is an asset.