Admin and Finance Associate

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization, fighting to end the injustices of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.

The Agenda 2030, based on a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is underpinned by a strong commitment to leave no one behind and to reach the furthest behind first. It recognizes the multi-dimensional nature of poverty and inequality and provides a framework that comprehensively addresses all dimensions of well-being. Pakistan was one of the first countries in the world to endorse the SDGs at the Sustainable Development Summit held on 25 September 2015. In 2016, Pakistan Parliament unanimously approved the SDGs as the national development agenda. Since then, Pakistan has demonstrated an impressive policy, institutional, and financial commitment to achieving SDGs, embracing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and leaving no one behind by adopting the UNDP-supported Goals frameworks as part of its national development planning. Since adopting the SDGs as the National Development Agenda, the Sindh Government has taken the lead in establishing the SDGs Support Unit at the Planning & Development Board in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme.

As a second-generation intervention of the long-standing National Initiative for SDGs (2016-2023), the Sindh SDGs Plus Project, as a joint initiative of UNDP Pakistan and the Government of Sindh, is launched to strengthen a policy integration approach, evidence-based decision-making, resilient institutional capacities, diversified partnerships, mobilization of innovative financing, and integrating climate resilience, innovation, social protection, and inclusion. The project is anchored by an integrated framework comprising three key areas based on the provincial priorities, including:

• Objective 1: Internalizing SDGs: Improved governance for SDGs aligned equitable and inclusive development planning, budgeting, expenditure tracking, monitoring, and reporting, with a special focus on underdeveloped/marginalized districts to achieve regional equalization.
• Objective 2: Financing for Development and Climate Resilience: Public and private financing for development, identifying and channeling resources to reduce the development financing gap, focusing on SDG investments and climate financing.
• Objective 3: Inclusive Development, Social Protection, and Innovation: Gender equality, inclusion, innovation, and digital transformation mainstreamed in SDGs to achieve Leave No One Behind.

 Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Management, Planning, and Budgeting

• Support in the overall financial and administrative management of the Project.
• Maintain a complete set of books of account according to the accounting principle and update it daily. Ensure the accuracy of supporting documents.
• Follow up on the activities and monitor advance balances of resources disbursed, verify availability of funds for project activities, and recommend changes in budget line if needed.
• Prepare vouchers, and process payments for all financial transactions.
• Provide support to prepare annual and quarterly work plans and budgets in consultation with the Project Manager.
• Verify Combine Delivery Report (CDR) for Certification.
• Support in preparing for annual audit exercise, prepare audit follow-up action plans, and ensure that the action plan is implemented.
• Prepare monthly shadow budget for tracking the delivery of the Project.

Ensure High-Quality Support in Operations, Contract Management, and Audit

• Maintain the contracts with implementing partners, including governmental, non-governmental, and community-based organizations, as well as with service providers for the Project (individuals and companies).
• Ensure compliance of all provisions of guidelines regarding personnel management, procurement, sub-contract, and financial management.
• Prepare annual human resources and procurement plans and implement them.
• Draw up specifications for the equipment required for procurement in close work with the Project team as per guidelines; maintain and update an inventory and ensure proper operation, and maintenance.
• Keep records on non-expendable equipment, conduct physical verification at least once a year, and prepare annual physical verification reports.
• Carry out any other related responsibility assigned by the Project Manager and support other activities as required by the Project management.
• Supervise support staff of the project.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary Education with specialized certification in accounting and/or Finance. University degree in Finance or Accounting desirable. Part-qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage. (The degree must state that the major is in accounting or finance. Degrees in Business Administration or Public Administration are not considered equivalent.)”
• Fully Qualified Accountant, from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy or Full Completion of the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP). No UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) is required.
• Candidates with no professional accountancy qualifications, but with degrees that major in accountancy and/or finance must complete UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited. However, no UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) is required.
• Candidate with no professional accountancy qualifications but with relevant experience must successfully undertake UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) before shortlisting and must complete the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited.

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of demonstrated related experience in UN or similar development projects or international organizations.

Required Skills

• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

Desired Skills 

• Excellent financial accounting, including auditing and reporting skills, as well as exposure to administration of projects.
• Demonstrated experience in financial planning, budgeting, managing procurement contracts, and inventory.
• Experience of working with UN System or international organizations.  Organizational knowledge and experience including strategic planning, decision-making, self-management, emotional intelligence, conflict management, and negotiating skills are an asset.
• Experience of working with donors/ international development partners and government operational processes and procedures, is desirable

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/job/19659