Background

KP Merged Districts span the region bordering Afghanistan and Pakistan provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan. They remain one of the most underdeveloped regions of Pakistan, enduring decades of marginalization, and economic deprivation. Livelihoods and employment remains a critical issue related to both social and economic development, and to issues of stability and governance. The effect of these multiple challenges can be clearly seen in UNDP’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MDPI), which shows that in 2016 73.7% population lived in multidimensional poverty, while the comparable figure for KP Province stood at 49%. The passage of the 25th Constitutional Amendment with political consensus and its subsequent presidential approval on 31st May 2018 signals a historic change and will fundamentally alter the lives of 5 million inhabitants of the area. The merger modifies the institutional political economy, including the role of the KP Assembly and bureaucracy.

Since 2010, the UN’s KP Merged Districts programme has been the largest portfolio, with approximately US$300 million invested annually predominantly through humanitarian funding. Until recently the humanitarian and development actors have, for the most part, operated within institutional silos without strong coordination mechanisms. The UN Resident Coordinator instituted a multi-partner Task Force to develop a Transition Framework anchored in the New Way of Working on humanitarian-development continuum in KP Merged Districts. Under the umbrella of the Transition Framework, a joint programme by FAO, UNDP, UNICEF and UNWOMEN and led by the UN Resident Coordinator has been developed which aims to ensure the sustainability of the returns process and strengthen the social contract between the state and the citizenry. The DFID-funded programme will achieve these overall aims by:

• strengthening resilience in return communities, especially by restoring livelihoods;
• supporting the improvement of, and access to, health and education services;
• supporting the local and provincial governments to become more effective, accountable and responsive; and d) supporting the improvement of the enabling environment for inclusive economic growth.

The UN Resident Coordinator’s Office has identified the need for Finance Officer to ensure effective financial monitoring, oversight and reporting of the programme. The incumbent will report directly to Programme Manager of the Programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Finance Officer will be responsible to Ensures effective and accurate financial resources management and oversight, ensures proper Project cash management and timely financial reporting, and also ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the area of financial management and oversight of the programme.

Ensures effective and accurate financial resources management and oversight, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Participate in the work planning and budgeting exercise of the Pillar Leads/Implementing UN Agencies;
• Work closely with the Project M&E Specialist and Implementing UN Agencies to prepare Joint Programme Annual Work Plan and Budget for both internal and external stakeholders;
• Effective management of financial resources through proper planning, guiding, monitoring and controlling of the resources in accordance with UN rules and regulations and donor agreement/s;
• Review payments/claims of staff and other service providers and ensure on time settlement of claims as per the UN rules and regulations;
• Review financial statements, expenditures as stated in the financial reports submitted by the Implementing UN Agencies;
• Provide oversight on expenditures to ensure expenditure is made in line with the approved budget and donor agreement;
• Conduct financial analysis and oversight of the joint Programme resources and provide professional advice to the Programme Manager, RCO and the Management Committee as needed;
• Liaise closely with the RBM Specialist during project monitoring visits and carry out spot checks and follow-up as necessary; and,
• Assist in project audits (internal/external).

Ensures proper Project cash management and timely financial reporting, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Track funds received from the donor/s as per the cost sharing agreement/s and ensure funds are transferred to the Implementing UN Agencies in a timely manner and as per the approved Work Plan and Budget;
• Track donor contributions and fund balance to ensure donor contributions are timely requested and received. Prepare fund balances/contribution reports;
• Timely review of cash position to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements;
• Liaise with the Implementing UN Agencies to obtain estimate of their cash requirements
• and prepare monthly cash flow forecast for use by the Operations Manager;
• Compile, review, analyze financial reports, identify potential issues, and recommend solutions;
• Prepare timely and quality financial reports for sharing with donor/s and other stakeholders as agreed;
• Track expenditure, maintain expenditure statement and apprise Programme Manager and Implementing UN Agencies periodically;
• Assist RCO to prepare financial documents of the Pakistan UNSDF Fund for distribution to partners including the Management Committee, FATA Steering Committee and donor/s;
• Support RCO in ensuring findings from DFID due diligence report is proactively followed up on and reported to DFID;
• Liaise with the Implementing UN Agencies and consolidate quarterly financial reports received from the Implementing UN Agencies for reporting to the Management Committee and donors/s; and,
• Prepare annual financial report after one year and final report at the end of the project.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the area of financial management and oversight, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Document bottlenecks, problems and issues, and propose effective solutions;
• Document and analyse innovative strategies and new approaches;
• Identify risks and issues to be integrated into subsequent Work Plan and Budget revision and financial monitoring and reporting;
• Maintain collaboration and coordination with the Implementing UN Agencies on financial management and reporting; and,
• Conduct periodic financial management and reporting training for Implementing UN Agencies and Project staff.

Competencies

Core

• Innovation: Ability to make new and useful ideas work Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully
• Leadership: Ability to persuade others to follow Level 4: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others
• People Management: Ability to improve performance and satisfaction Level 4: Models independent thinking and action
• Communication: Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis
• Delivery: Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement Level 4: Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services

Technical/Functional

• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
• Risk Assessment: Knowledge of risk assessment methodologies and ability to determine degree of risk and apply to strategic and/or practical situation Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
• Risk Management: Ability to identify and prioritize risks, and organize action around mitigating them Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
• Financial Planning and Budgeting: Ability to create and manage processes to achieve Project's long and short-term financial goals Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Master’s Degree or equivalent in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or Economics.

Experience:

• 1 year of relevant experience at the national or international level in project financial management and providing financial management advisory services.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.,) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines, problem solving skills and work under pressure.
• Providing project support and/or coordination of activities with UN agencies and/or other donor or international organizations;
• Relevant experience in the financial analysis and financial monitoring of programmes.
• Ability to work in a team and cross-cultural environment.

Language: Requirements:Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of Pashto will be an asset.

Source:https://jobs.partneragencies.net/erecruitjobs.html?JobOpeningId=24300&hrs_jo_pst_seq=1&hrs_site_id=2