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.
Background and Organizational Context
Programme Finance Assistant provides cost effective and timely partnering services to the UNDP Country Office (CO) to maintain the sound financial management of and responsible resource allocation for its development programme and projects. Programme Finance provides support to development project teams to ensure appropriate and adequate budgeting for projects, monitoring of budgets to identify gaps against allocations, and financial reporting to CO management to promote transparency and informed decision making.
Position Purpose
Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Operations Manager or other direct supervisor, the Programme Finance Assistant provides financial services to ensure high quality, accuracy, and consistency of work. The Programme Finance Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
The Programme Finance Assistant works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations, and project teams in the Country Office (CO) and staff in UNDP HQ, Regional Hub and GSSC to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.
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.
Key Duties and Accountabilities
1.) Provide support for the administration and implementation of programme, finance, and operations strategies.
- Ensure full compliance with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) on financial recording and reporting system.
- Compile data for internal and external audits, and follow-up on audit recommendations.
- Provide input for preparation of cost sharing, trust fund and other agreements; and follow up on contributions within the CO resource mobilization efforts. Track and prepare spreadsheets on mobilized resources.
2.) Provide effective support to administration of budgets and functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system
- Provide information for formulation of work plans, budgets, and proposals on implementation arrangements and execution modalities.
- Support implementation of effective internal controls, and proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system.
- Research and retrieve/extract statistical data from internal and external sources; prepare statistical charts and tables; assist in preparing or provide input to financial reports including donor reports.
- Follow up on deadlines, commitments made, and actions taken; and coordinate collection and submission of the reports to head of unit.
- Process cost-recovery bills in ERP for the services provided; support elaboration and implementation of the revenue tracking system; and follow up on cost recovery.
- Follows up on POs receipt accruals
- Support in the HACT Audits for NIM projects, and spot checks findings
3.) Provide accounting and administrative support to the Programme Finance Unit
- Assist in preparation and ensure proper control of supporting documents for payments. Process PO and non-PO invoices for development projects.
- Take timely corrective actions on erroneous data in ERP.
- Maintain the filing system.
4.) Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO
- Participate in the organization of training for the office staff on programme, finance and operations related issues.
- Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in programme finance.
- 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
Requirements:
Education:
- Secondary education with specialized certification in accounting and/or finance. A university degree in Finance or Accounting is desirable. Part-qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
- Candidates with accountancy certification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage. Candidates without certification but relevant experience must complete the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited.
Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:
- 5 years (with high school diploma) or 2 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.
- Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS is desired.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in the UN language of the duty station is required
- Fluency in the national language of the duty station is required for local staff
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 |
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
| Thematic Area | Name | Definition |
| 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.
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| Business Development | Knowledge Generation | - Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
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| 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
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| Administration & Operations | Documents and Records Management | - Overall document (hard or electronic) management; registry and retention policy including storing and archiving.
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| Finance | Accounting (General) | - Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, regulations, policies and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.
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| 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.
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| Finance | Audit | - Ability to examine and verify accounts and records.
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Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
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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