Payroll Associate - [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]

Better Than Cash
Better Than Cash

Accounting & Finance

Copenhagen, Denmark

Posted on Aug 1, 2026
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Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

UNDP, as an integral part of its mission to fight poverty and improve the lives of people around the world, is committed to being open, transparent, and accountable. As part of this commitment, UNDP adopted International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and established a Global Shared Service Center (GSSC) to provide IPSAS transactional recording (in the areas of revenue, expenses and fixed assets), advisory and support services to UNDP Offices worldwide, and to provide training to UNDP Offices where needed. Human Resources services within the GSSC was set up earlier in 2003 in Copenhagen and it provides customized service packages to more than 40,000 UN personnel from agencies, funds and programmes across the UN System. GSSC/HR in Copenhagen has established a legacy as a major Human Resources administration center within the United Nations and is recognized as a center of excellence. The Global Shared Service Center (GSSC) is part of the Bureau for Management Services (BMS).

In the area of Human Resources, the GSSC supports both staff, personnel and management in UNDP offices and units, with the full cycle of HR services ranging from recruitment, talent management, learning and development, HR policy and advisory services, benefits and entitlements management, payroll and banking transactions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSABILITIES

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Payroll Analyst, the Payroll Associate provides payroll services for the Global Payroll Services team ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. The Payroll Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Payroll Associate (PA) works in close collaboration with the , with the Payroll Finance Unit and International Professional Management Units within GSSC , as well as with the Human Resources (HR) Administrators within Local BES and PSA Administration teams and the Global Payroll Administrators with the Local Payroll team in GSSC and the Local Focal Points and Finance Focal points in the country offices, HR Administrators and Global Payroll Administrators from the HQ offices to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.

The Payroll Associate provides payroll services contributing to the overall efficiency in UNDP HR management and success in implementation of operational strategies.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Perform and certify second-level validation and sign- off of payroll transactions across all clustered payrolls to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely processing.

  • Validate and sign off payroll transactions in the capacity of Disbursement Officer.
  • Advise internal and external clients on Benefits and Entitlements, Staff Regulations and Rules and HR guidelines, especially on the PSA policies.
  • Liaise with the payroll focal points and the GSSC HR focal points on any issues related to the entitlements calculated in the payroll results.
  • Liaise with OHR policy unit for any policy related clarifications of entitlements and the implementation of the same within Payroll.
  • Act as a focal point for all the queries and clarifications as a payroll disbursement officer from all the Regional Payroll Associate(s) (RPAs) and Local Payroll Team (LPT) colleagues.
  • Ensure timely administration of payroll, banking and disbursement services to personnel whose payroll is administered in Quantum.
  • Provide oversight support on payroll transactions and compensation components such as one-time or recurring earnings and deductions, manual entry of allowances and benefits where necessary.
  • Respond to queries and assist in solving issues related to Global Payroll and HR data from HR, Global Payroll administrators within GSSC and in the HQ.
  • Provide oversight support and assistance on payroll payments to employees.
  • Provide necessary support to the newly onboarded clients

Ensure verification and data integrity of the accuracy of the financial transactions posted to the General Ledger

  • General Ledger reconciliation.
  • Provide advice on bank-to-book issues pertaining to source bank setup.

Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing:

  • Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

N/A

COMPETENCIES

  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL & TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Business Development

  • Knowledge generation: Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions andnew approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations

Business Management

  • Working with Evidence and Data : Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making
  • Change Management: Initiate, design and ensure successful implementation of organizational change; prepare and support individuals and teams in implementing change
  • Digital Awareness and Literacy: Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends
  • Customer Satisfaction/Client Management: Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

HR-Compensation/remuneration

  • Payroll management: Knowledge of and ability to apply mechanisms and tools to collect payroll data, process payroll, and manage payroll reports.
  • Managing compensation and benefits: Ability to design compensation plans which are aligned to current and future organization needs and market conditions; knowledge of and ability to apply the ICSC compensation methodologies and principles. Knowledge of and ability to design benefits-related processes, programmes, and tools, including benefit enrolment and amendments.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

  • Secondary Education is required.
  • A university degree (bachelor´s degree) in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, or an equivalent field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
  • Specialized certification in Human Resources or Finance Resources Management is an asset.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

  • Minimum of 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible HR/finance experience at the national or international level is required.
  • Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems such as ERP is required.
  • Experience using Oracle Cloud/Quantum Payroll is desired.
  • Demonstrated experience using Quantum HCM modules is desired.
  • Experience with UN/UNDP human resources policies and rules and regulations is desired.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in English is required
  • Working knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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