Under the overall guidance of the Operations Specialist and direct supervision of the Finance and Budget Analyst, the Finance Associate provides support in the effective execution of finance services in the CO. The Finance Associate promotes a client-oriented and results-focused approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
The Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the Programme and HR departments to resolve complex programme financial management related issues, budgets, financial reporting requirements, and other corporate standards.
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 Responsibilities
Assist with the administration and implementation of operational and financial strategies, processes, and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:
Assist with the monitoring and promotion of full compliance with the CO and projects of financial processes and financial records with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies
Implementation of effective internal control framework, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system, and reports and audit follow up.
Input to the CO finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with direct supervisor and office management.
Provide support and communicate with project, programme, and operations personnel in the area of financial resource management, and liaise with relevant HQ and GSSC unit counterparts
Assist in implementation of cost sharing and trust fund agreements, with focus on budget, reporting to relevant stakeholders.
Ensures financial records are in compliance with SOPs, IPSAS and other UNDP Financial Rules and Regulations.
Provide support to CO programme management via the administration of budgets and functioning, ensuring optimal cost recovery and focusing on achieving the following results:
Preparation and modifications on Programme Portfolio Pipeline and Project Tree in Quantum/ERP systems as appropriate. Data entry of new grants into Quantum in the form of Annual Work Plans (AWPs), monitoring and reporting of AWPs.
Assist in the implementation of the control mechanism for development/management projects through monitoring budgets preparation and modifications.
Ensure timely recovery of costs for services provided to the UN Agencies
Regular monitoring of dashboards, identification of the remedial actions in coordination with the Finance Associate, contribute to reporting to the CO delivery.
Assist in development of information/reports, identification of operational and financial problems, proposal of solutions.
Provide accounting and finance support to the implementation of the CO’s resources mobilization strategy.
Assist with maintenance of the Accounts Receivables for UNDP CO and projects and follow up with partners on cost-sharing contributions, preparation of annual reporting, application of deposits, monitoring against approved budgets
Proper control and maintenance of supporting documents for payments and financial reports for projects and UN agencies;
Provide inputs in the development of project concept notes.
Maintenance of the proper filing system for finance records and documents on mobilized resources
Drafting of financial reports to be submitted to donors.
Contribute to drafting of cost sharing and fund agreements, obtaining clearances from HQ as necessary.
Act as back-stopping for the Finance Associate
Facilitate knowledge building and sharing, with guidance to all stakeholders.
Participation in the trainings for the operations/ projects staff on Finance.
Support the organization of training for the operations/programme/finance staff on financial management
Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in programme and project finance.
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
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 progressively responsible Finance and operations experience is required at the national or international level.
Experience and knowledge of programme and project finance management desirable.
Experience with ERP financial and/or cloud-based systems is desirable.
Experience in the usage of digital finance solutions and software packages, and advanced knowledge of data management and systems is required.
Prior experience and knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS required.
Experience with UNDP and/or international organizations/UN agencies an asset.
