Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges to help empower lives and build resilient nations.
UNDP Pakistan Country Office is implementing its Country Programme covering the period 2023-2027, striving to deliver programme portfolio that is responsive to the multiple and complex development challenges that Pakistan faces. UNDP works in 4 main programme areas, namely Governance, Community Recovery & Rehabilitation, Resilience, Environment & Climate Change, and Development Policy & SDGs.
The Financial Resources Management Unit (FRMU) supports the Country Office (CO) in the promotion of its sustainable development agenda by continuously enhancing CO financial performance, delivering sound management of financial resources, and ensuring strong accountability through informed decision making, effective financial management processes, and transparent financial reporting that complies with international standards and UNDP corporate guidelines.
Position Purpose:
Under the guidance and supervision of the Chief- Financial Resources Management Unit and direct supervisor, the Finance Associate ensures effective execution of financial services and processes in the Country Office and transparent utilization of financial resources. The Finance Associate promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
The Finance Associate may supervise clerical and support staff of the Finance Unit. The Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme, and projects’ staff in the CO and GSSC staff to exchange information and resolve finance-related issues.
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.
Duties and Responsibilities
Support administration and implementation of operational strategies and adapt processes and procedures:
- Ensure CO financial processes, financial records and reports, and audit follow-up comply with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP). Implement effective internal control framework.
- Support office management in preparing and reviewing CO finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal standard operating procedures in finance in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management.
- Provide input for implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies in consultation with the office management.
- Maintain financing and trust fund agreements, follow up on contributions with the respective project teams (the project team should be contacting the donor) within the CO resource mobilization efforts.
- Routinely monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities and/or transactions; and investigate anomalies or unusual transactions. Inform senior CO management and other UNDP staff at Headquarters of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.
Support administration of budgets of CO management projects, clearance of budgets for development projects, and functioning of an optimal cost-recovery system:
Ensure proper CO cash and Treasury management functioning:
- Act as alternate to Finance Associate (GS-7) for timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds for disbursements and maintain liquidity level approved by Treasury. Identify and record receipts and create deposits for revenue application on a timely basis.
- Identify and record contributions.
- Prepare timely and accurate bank reconciliations and provide documentation to GSSC according to service level agreement. Initiate bank transfers and deals in ERP.
- Act as alternate to Finance Associate (ICS-7) for timely preparation of monthly cashflow forecast to ensure sufficient cash balance in local bank account. Liaise with participating UN Agencies to obtain disbursement estimate of their cash requirement.
Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO:
- Assist in organizing training for the operations/ projects staff on finance, audit and compliance matters, and implementation of Internal Control Framework (ICF).
- Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in financial management.
- Provide 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: None
Competencies
Core:
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
Cross-Functional & Technical:
Business Management – 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. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns
Business Development – Knowledge Generation:
- Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need
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
Finance – Accounting (General):
- Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, regulations, policies and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.
Finance – Budget Management:
- Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets
Finance – Financial Reporting and Analysis:
- Ability to extract, evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful and coherent manner to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring.
Finance – Audit:
- Ability to examine and verify accounts and records
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Secondary Education with specialized certification in accounting and/or Finance is required.
- University degree in Finance or Accounting will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.(The degree must state that the major is in accounting or finance. Degrees in Business Administration or Public Administration are not considered equivalent)
- Part-qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
- 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) 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.
- Candidates 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 high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience at the national or international level is required.
- Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheets and web-based management systems such as ERP financials and database packages is required.
- Experience with Oracle Cloud ERP will be an added advantage.
- Experience and knowledge in quality financial reviews of Payments, Accounting documents, internal/external auditing is required.
- Experience and Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required.
- Experience in preparing financial reports, analytical reports and financial forecasting/projections will be an added advantage.
Language:
- Fluency in the English and Urdu is required.
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Disclaimer
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: 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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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