Skip to content

General Information

Position Title
Finance & Administration Senior Manager
Job Category
Finance
Duty Station(s)
Dakar
Seniority Level
Senior Level
ICS Level
ICS 11
Contract Type
ICA - LICA - Specialist - Regular
Contract Level
LICA 11
Posting Start Date
15-Dec-2025
Posting End Date
05-Jan-2026
Duration
ongoing

Job Highlight

Oversees financial operations, administrative functions, and compliance to ensure an organization's financial health and efficiency

About the Region

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

Based in Dakar, Senegal, the West Africa Multi-Country Office (WAMCO) delivers high-quality project management, infrastructure, and procurement services across 16 countries in West Africa and the Sahel, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Togo. Aligned with UNOPS’ mission, WAMCO supports partners in peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance, and sustainable development. WAMCO’s portfolio spans key sectors such as health, climate change, renewable energy, agriculture, water and sanitation, environment, infrastructure, justice, and peace and security. Notable projects include the construction of pre-preschools for early childhood development in Senegal (in partnership with KOICA and UNICEF), capacity-building for national agencies on disaster risk reduction and resource management, and the development of rural mini-grid electrification systems in Sierra Leone. Through these initiatives, WAMCO contributes to inclusive growth and the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the region.

Job Specific Context

The Role

Under the leadership and guidance of the Head of Support Services (HoSS), the Finance and Administration Senior Manager coordinates and oversees the Finance and Administration functions across the countries covered by the Multi-Country Office (MCO). S/he leads and manages financial and accounting operations for the operational units, working in close collaboration with the project, Finance, and Administration personnel. 




Role Purpose

 Key responsibilities include the preparation and reconciliation of financial and management reports, as well as providing analytical and planning support to ensure compliance with UNOPS’ budgeting and financial reporting policies and procedures. The role also encompasses oversight of general accounting functions, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, expense accounting, and the reconciliation of shared accounts. The incumbent is further accountable for the effective coordination and supervision of the Finance and Administration teams to ensure high-quality service delivery.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Financial Management and Reporting

  • Lead the mapping of financial business processes across the MCO and establish internal standard operating procedures (SOPs). Monitor workflows to ensure process efficiency and alignment.

  • Advise the Head of Support Services (HoSS) on the effective and compliant use of financial and administrative resources.

  • Continuously analyze the financial situation, deliver accurate forecasts, and recommend strategic actions to meet the evolving needs of programmes, projects, and office operations.

  • Implement and regularly optimize the financial database and management information systems to support robust budgeting, planning, and partner reporting requirements.

  • Review and strengthen financial monitoring mechanisms to enhance control and oversight for client and administrative projects.

  • Provide authoritative guidance on transaction processing in accordance with UNOPS financial and administrative policies and rules. Approve expense adjustments as per delegated authority.

  • Ensure appropriate monitoring of the management and accounting of contributions to ensure that funds due to UNOPS are correctly identified, classified in a consistent and uniform manner, recorded in a timely manner, and received with sufficient supporting documentation.

  • Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual interim financial reports (IFRs) for management and partners in prescribed formats.

  • Monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities and transactions. Initiate appropriate investigations and corrective actions. 

  • Ensure sound financial planning, expenditure monitoring, and resource control for the office’s operations.

  • Approve/sign interim reports according to the delegated authority.


Budgeting and Cost Control

  • Manage financial resources through planning, guidance, and control of resources in accordance with UNOPS’ rules and regulations.

  • Prepare and monitor the MCO budget.

  • Process revisions to the MCO budget with management approval.

  • Develop appropriate mechanisms to eliminate deficiencies in budget management.

  • Prepare reports on budget variances.

  • Ensures the implementation of the budget within the approved budget categories between personnel and non-personnel budgets, and specifically for personnel budget, ensures that the approved budgetary post count is not exceeded.

  • Develop and execute cost-saving and cost-reduction strategies.


Internal Controls, Compliance and Risk Management

  • Develop and implement a robust internal control framework to ensure timely and accurate processing, matching, and completion of requests for payments (RFPs); correct recording and accounting of financial transactions in the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system; proper processing of travel reimbursements and other entitlements; and timely receipting of goods and services within the ERP system.

  • Ensure the timely recording and reconciliation of all financial transactions.

  • Safeguard the security of cash, assets, and other valuables.

  • Proactively address and resolve unaccounted payment requests, including those with budget or fund control issues, reconciliation discrepancies, or pending approvals.

  • Coordinate with HQ to ensure timely resolution of financial queries and requests.

  • Identify, assess, and manage financial risks through effective controls and mitigation strategies. 

  • Ensure establishment and implementation of due oversight and controls at the respective/relevant country offices that support completeness and accuracy of financial transactions, and due mitigation measures for key financial and compliance risks are in place at local country offices. 


Treasury and Cash Management

  • Conduct a timely review of monthly and quarterly cash requirements for the MCO to ensure that sufficient funds are available for disbursement. Identify and record receipts on time for the revenue application.

  • Review cash balances in the ERP and coordinate with FG Treasury to ensure that sufficient liquidity is available to meet payment and commitment requirements of the MCO,  projects, and /programmes. Serve as the primary contact with the bank for routine operational matters.

  • Partner with the Bangkok Shared Services Centre (BSSC) bank reconciliation team to ensure discrepancies are explained timely manner and exceptions are documented.

  • Ensure requests for payments are approved with no delay for FG Treasury to fund local bank accounts in a timely manner.

  • Prepare monthly cash flow forecasts on time for use by UNOPS Treasury to fund local bank accounts.

  • Verify that the project's cash management process and designated approval workflows comply with UNOPS’ policy, and ensure any exceptions are documented and approved by the policy owner prior to implementation.

  • Liaise with project teams and FG treasury to manage and mitigate inherent FX risks in project operations under the MCO.


Administration

  • Ensure effective and efficient management of acquisitions, including the maintenance, inventory, registration, verification, and safeguarding of project and MCO facilities and assets.

  • Oversee facilities management, including lease negotiations and renewals in coordination with building owners in consultation with regional and MCO management teams.

  • Promote and implement environmentally sustainable practices, including energy-saving measures and the application of green office policies.

  • Ensure execution of the greenhouse gas reduction action plan in alignment with organizational sustainability goals.

  • Regularly evaluate and monitor the performance, timeliness, and quality of administrative support services such as cleaning, security, and maintenance. 

  • Coordinate and support Business Operations Strategy (BOS) initiatives across United Nations entities operating in countries under the MCO coverage.

  • Oversee regular updating and implementation of Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) and MCO security protocols to ensure operational resilience. 


People Management

  • Establish the annual work plan for the finance and administration teams. Set objectives, performance measurements, standards, and results expected.

  • Monitor implementation of the team’s annual work plan, oversee progress, and ensure delivery of results as planned and according to expectations.

  • Promote teamwork and collaboration by providing the team with clear direction, objectives, and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively, and efficiently.

  • Develop a flexible workforce with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance

  • Foster a positive work environment, respectful of all, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

Knowledge Management and Innovation

  • Contribute to the development and introduction of innovation to ensure UNOPS is continually incorporating best practice approaches

  • Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate, regional, and national development planning and knowledge building

  • Plan, implement, and organize strategic capacity building of personnel, partners, and stakeholders.


Skills

Administration, Cash Management, Compliance Management, Finance, Financial Planning, Financial Reporting, Project Finance, Finance Accounting
Strategic Perspective
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.
Respect
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.
Collaboration
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.
Partnerships
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).
Excellence
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.
Adaptability
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.
Decision-making
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.
Communication
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

  • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or other disciplines with 9 years of relevant experience.

  • Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above disciplines with 7 years of relevant experience.


Desired

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

Experience Requirements

Required

  • Relevant experience is work in accounting, finance, and budgeting or related areas

  • At least three (3) years of progressive leadership experience, including supervising teams.

  • Experience with financial systems or ERP software.

  • Experience of working in multicultural environments.


Desired.

  • Experience working in UN system organizations in a developing country.

  • Experience in development or humanitarian contexts.

  • Knowledge of UNOPS financial rules and regulations and their application.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirement
EnglishIntermediateRequired
FrenchFluentRequired

Additional Information

  • Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
  • Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
  • Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
  • Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
  • UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
  • Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. 
  • We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
 
Terms and Conditions
 
  • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
  • For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
  • For more details about the contract types, please click here.
  • All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
  • It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.