Rodeo
Get started

United Nations Office for Project Services

Finance Associate

London
Posted 3 days ago
Sign up to applySee more jobs like this
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever

How your CV stacks up

1Upload CV
2Analyse CV
3Improve CV

Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role

?%

JOB HIGHLIGHT

Ensure efficient and compliant financial operations by providing accounting, budget administration, cash management, and financial reporting support, adhering to UNOPS financial rules and regulations.

ABOUT THE REGION

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

ABOUT THE COUNTRY/MULTI-COUNTRY OFFICE

From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality services, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approaches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

ABOUT THE GROUP

From Geneva, UNOPS facilitates the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working with governments, other United Nations (UN) agencies and partners by providing quality services, integrated solutions and management support through strategic, cost-effective and results-oriented approaches. This includes supporting platforms and hosting high-profile, flagship initiatives and funds focusing on health, nutrition, water and sanitation, sustainable cities, environment, energy, climate and trade. UNOPS is a recognized resource for the UN system in Geneva – from fund management and oversight and advisory services, to providing hosting solutions to a range of global initiatives, as well as operational support to partner organizations.

JOB SPECIFIC CONTEXT

The Education Outcomes Fund (EOF) is a global initiative transforming how education and skills are financed and delivered. We partner with governments, donors, investors, and implementers to make education systems more effective, equitable, and accountable. Through our Outcomes Partnership model, funding is tied to measurable results, aligning incentives across all actors to ensure that resources lead to real improvements in learning and employment outcomes. EOF’s approach is grounded in systems change - we align incentives, strengthen data and delivery capacity, and foster collaboration across public, private and social sectors. By embedding results-based principles within national systems, we help governments shift from inputs to outcomes, ensuring that every investment leads to a measurable, lasting impact for learners.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Finance Associate provides accounting, budget administration, cash management and financial reporting support to ensure efficient and compliant financial operations. The incumbent performs a wide range of financial transactions with a high degree of accuracy, ensuring compliance with UNOPS financial rules and regulations (FRRs), policies and donor requirements.

Reasons to use Rodeo

I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?

Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.

Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.

Start with a chat, not a search bar

Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.

P

Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme

PwC·London, UK
£35,000/yr

Why you're a good match

Strong

Your economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.

See breakdown
Save jobNot relevant
View details

It searches the market for you

Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.

Why you're a good match

You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.

See breakdown
Strong

Experience fit

Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.

See breakdown
Strong

Only hits

No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.

FUNCTIONS / KEY RESULTS EXPECTED

Budget Administration and Cost Recovery

  • Support the annual budget setting process, as well as the preparation, monitoring and revision of project and office budgets, ensuring accuracy and alignment with UNOPS financial policies and donor/ partner agreements.
  • Assist in the development, maintenance, and testing of financial and budget models for programme proposals, supporting scenario analysis, cost projections, and payout structures for outcomes-based financing contracts.
  • Prepare and maintain financial data and analysis on budget utilization, expenditure trends, and funding gaps for long-term sustainability and management decision-making.
  • Assist in developing cost-recovery models and maintaining an efficient cost allocation system in compliance with UNOPS guidelines.
  • Contribute to the preparation of cost-sharing and trust fund agreements, follow up on partner contributions, and ensure proper recording in the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.
  • Provide inputs on the financial implications of operational plans and support the implementation of cost-saving and efficiency measures.
  • Assist in project financial closure processes, ensuring accuracy and completeness of records in accordance with UNOPS project closure protocol.

Accounting, Payments and Payroll

  • Review and verify payment requests and supporting documents for completeness, accuracy and compliance with approved budgets and UNOPS FRRs.
  • Prepare and process vouchers (purchase orders, accounts payable, payroll and journal vouchers) and execute pay cycles in the ERP system.
  • Monitor foreign exchange (FX) rate fluctuations and cross-currency exposure across multi-currency project portfolios, tracking FX gains/losses and providing data to support FX risk mitigation strategies.
  • Ensure timely and proper recording of goods receipt, service delivery and accruals.
  • Maintain an internal expenditure control system, ensuring transactions are properly matched, posted, and supported by adequate documentation.
  • Conduct expense verifications and financial reviews of EOF grantees, ensuring compliance with grant agreements and established procedures.
  • Process and reconcile accounts receivable and accounts payable, including follow-up with partners and projects on pending items.
  • Perform monthly and quarterly account reconciliation, identifying and resolving discrepancies in coordination with HQ and project teams.
  • Support payroll processing, ensuring accurate and timely disbursement and resolution of queries.
  • Ensure timely month-end and year-end closure of accounts and submission of required financial reports.
  • Respond promptly to HQ queries to resolve financial data or audit issues.

Office Cash and Treasury Management

  • Review and monitor cash positions for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds for operational disbursements.
  • Oversee the daily review of zero-balance accounts, imprest management, and proper recording of receipts and contributions.
  • Prepare monthly cash flow forecasts and liaise with operations and project teams to gather cash requirement estimates.
  • Conduct bank reconciliations, ensuring accuracy and prompt resolution of variances.
  • Initiate and record bank transfers, replenishments, and foreign exchange transactions in the ERP system.
  • Manage petty cash and operational advances, ensuring compliance with policy and timely settlement.

Financial Reporting and Analysis

  • Prepare and review financial reports, including interim financial reports (IFRs), donor expenditure statements, and management dashboards.
  • Support preparation of variance analyses, cost distribution summaries, and project-level expenditure reconciliations.
  • Participate in quarterly and annual financial closure activities, ensuring completeness and consistency of data.
  • Support internal and external audit exercises, ensuring timely submission of documentation and clearance of audit findings.
  • Maintain accurate records of Value Added Tax (VAT), prepayments, operational advances and other balance sheet accounts, ensuring reconciliations are performed regularly.
  • Analyze and prepare adjusting entries (GLJEs) and ensure accuracy of financial postings across projects.

Get help with your application

Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.

Get help applying for this job

Knowledge Building and Sharing

  • Support the organization, facilitation and delivery of training and learning sessions on finance topics.
  • Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned.
  • Conduct research on finance-related topics and contribute to the drafting of reports, summaries and briefing notes.

SKILLS

Cash Management, Finance, Financial Planning, Financial Reporting, Accounting, Finance Accounting, Financial Accounting Standards

COMPETENCIES

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion. Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Required

  • Secondary school (or equivalent) with 6 years of relevant experience is required OR
  • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or other disciplines with 2 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

  • Professional certification (e.g. CPA, ACCA, CA, CIMA) is desired.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Required

  • Relevant experience is work in project financial management, budgeting, cash management and financial reporting, or related areas.
  • Demonstrable proficiency in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems.

Desired

  • Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
  • Experience working with outcome based financing models and/or FX/cross-currency experience
Trusted by 25,000+ job seekers

“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”

Jessica, London

Get help applying for this job

Location

London, England, United Kingdom

Sign up to applySee more jobs like this