Area Senior Finance Assistant - CLA - Internally, for UNRWA Staff only, 12

  • Organisation: UNRWA
  • Location: Beirut
  • Contract: R
  • Deadline: 19 November 2026

Org. Setting and Reporting

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5.8 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA's services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is the largest UN operation in the Middle East with more than 30,000 staff.UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. The incumbent reports to the Chief Area Office in the assigned Area Office and receives technical advice and guidance from Deputy Head Field Finance Office on technical matters. The incumbent may supervise finance assistants A10 (as applicable) and provides technical guidance and advice to other staff in the respective area offices on finance matters.

Responsibilities

Maintains bank and cash books and other records related to the financial operations in the Area, including monthly Area bank reconciliation and weekly cash count as required; maintains records related to the financial operations in the Area; receives cheques or cash on behalf of the Agency; raises cash or bank receipt vouchers; deposits funds in bank or delivers as required and records all receipts. Makes payments to suppliers, contractors, refugee beneficiaries of selective cash assistance, medical reimbursement and shelter repair either in cash or cheques; processes salary cash payments to the daily paid staff and other temporary assistants in his/her respective area office. Provides budgetary and other financial assistance to the Chief Area Office pertaining to the Area; responds to staff members, suppliers and contractors’ queries regarding their claims, invoices, entitlements and outstanding balances and provides them with financial statement as requested. Acts as custodian on the area imprest funds including the processing of imprest funds payments and the replenishment of imprest funds on a regular basis; performs accounting and control actions related to Canteen revenue, school contributions and other related activities within the respective area offices. Checks all cash payment vouchers received from the Field Finance Office and ensures that they are appropriately approved and supported by proper documents; Assists in paying cash subsidies to Special Hardship Cases beneficiaries; Performs necessary analysis, prepares reconciliations and reports as required by Area Office, Field Management and Headquarters related his/her area office; coordinates between cross cutting functions within and outside finance and ensures smooth operations of his/her responsibilities. Supports the Field Finance Office during UNBoA audit and EU verification mission and reports to Field Finance Office on various area financial matters related to his/her area office. Performs other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor(s).

Competencies

UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Applying Technical Expertise Following Instructions and Procedures Analyzing Relating and Networking Planning and Organizing

Education

First university degree from an accredited educational institution in accountancy, finance or related discipline.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

Minimum of two years’ experience in accounting and finance work, involving working experience with computerized finance systems, is required. Experience and professional knowledge in the usage of computer applications such as Excel and Access, is required. Applicants are required to mention if they have close relative(s) in UNRWA (mother, father, daughter, son, sister brother), please provide full name(s) and relationship. If applicable, please provide further details below. Applicants are required to mention if they are a Palestine refugee. If yes, please provide you Registration Card Number Candidates are required to make a declaration as to whether they have any current or past affiliations with non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, political organisations, military, or have/are engaged in activities or have made any public statements, that could be seen to impact their neutrality, objectivity or independence in the performance of their duties for the UN / UNRWA. Any declaration will not necessarily disqualify candidates from consideration for this post.” Indicate your current involvement in any outside activities, as it is required. Including but not limited to employment, independent contractor/freelance consultant, board member (corporate, academic, etc), expert group, lobby, public speaking/writing (article, book, blog, social media etc), teaching, conferences, training, press statement, voluntary work, political activity, fundraising/donation for non UNRWA entity, running for public office, role in political party or orgs, owning business, work for gov./NGO/private company/charity, UNRWA partner/vendor, full/part-time, paid or not. A "yes" answer doesn't necessarily lead to exclusion from future work at UNRWA, yet misrepresentation in providing accurate/complete info can lead to disqualification/termination of appointment, if hired.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and Arabic 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).

Required Languages

Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking

English UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II

Arabic UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

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