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Project Finance Analyst

Remote | Home Based - May require travel

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Remote | Home Based - May require travel
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Banking and Finance
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

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.
 

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UNDP's policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP's Strategic Plan. BPPS's staff provides technical advice to Country Offices, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. In addition, BPPS works closely with UNDP's Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response. While ensuring that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP's development programmes, BPPS also assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working.  Lastly, BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.

In order to streamline its financial and investment engagement, UNDP launched the Sustainable Finance Hub, a finance and innovation platform, that draws on a critical mass of UNDP expertise, initiatives, and partnerships to support the mobilization and leveraging of resources for the SDGs and lead the implementation of the new UNDP private sector strategy and other initiatives. The Hub is an integral part of both the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA), as well as part of the GPN. The Hub serves as a connector, broker and global coordinator among internal and external actors; curates and manages UNDP’s catalogue of service offers on SDG financing to governments, investors and companies, via the COs, to significantly enhance the scale and impact of UNDP’s work.

Being a part of the Sustainable Finance Hub Project Management Support Team, the Project Finance Analyst will be responsible for supporting sound project financial resources and budget management and effective partnership development through delivery of quality and timely support to all SFH projects. 

The Project Finance Analyst will analyse and interpret financial rules and regulations and advise  on financial issues. (S)he will provide accurate and timely financial information to guide project management and resource allocation decisions. (S)he will promote a collaborative, client-oriented approach, consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. 
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work 

The Project Finance Analyst will be responsible for the performance of the following duties and responsibilities: 

Ensure sound management of the SFH project budgets and financial resources:

  • Preparing /processing various payments / invoices in Quantum and ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the supporting documents. 
  • Ensuring sound resource management through budget management, resource allocation planning and expenditure control, consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
  • Monitoring application of revenue in coordination with relevant UNDP teams (e.g. Treasury Department and Resources and Operations Management) and ensuring programming of funds into relevant budgets.
  • Ensuring accurate General Management Support (GMS) fee and 1 % UN Coordination Levy set-up and collection, consistent with UNDP cost-recovery rules and regulations and mechanisms.
  • Reviewing and analyzing budget implementation on an ongoing basis; initiating, preparing and processing budget revisions, as necessary.
  • Monitoring project financial performance and undertaking necessary actions to address inconsistencies and discrepancies. 
  • Managing ongoing reviews of project accounts, ensuring accuracy of various financial transactions (e.g. payments, adjustments, payroll and common charges, etc.) and sufficient funds for disbursement.
  • Ensuring timely settlement of outstanding project obligations, clean-up of negative balances and reconciliation of RP advances.
  • Contributing to  proper planning and completion of HACT quality assurance exercises.
  • Preparing and verifying financial authorizations to/from other Business Units and facilitating proper budget allocations and funds transfer.
  • Performing other relevant duties as may be required.

Facilitate effective partnership development within and outside UN/UNDP and facilitating resource mobilization:

  • Facilitating SFH resource mobilization and partnership efforts through guiding SFH staff on related policies and procedures and participation in donor / partner negotiations.
  • Preparing and reviewing donor contributions agreements and liaising with donor counterparts and relevant UNDP teams (e.g. the Legal Support Office, GPN Joint Directorate, OFRM and BPPS Operations) to obtain necessary clearances and signatures.
  • Preparing and reviewing other partnership agreements (MoUs, Development Services Agreements, Responsible Party Agreements, Low Value Grants, etc.) and liaising with counterparts and relevant UNDP teams (e.g. the Legal Support Office, GPN Joint Directorate, BERA, OFRM and BPPS Operations) to obtain necessary clearances and signatures.
  • Ensuring timely reporting to donors and collaborating with relevant project staff to prepare necessary reports.
  • Facilitating timely extensions and modifications of donor and partnership agreements as may be needed.
  • Preparaing financial reports to donors, consistent with specific agreement requirements.
  • Compiling, analyzing and presenting data on SFH resource mobilization efforts and results.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, guidance to all stakeholders on financial matters focusing on the achievement of the following results:

  • Regular exchange of information/experience, cross-learning and sharing results and good practices.
  • Participation in regular internal meetings, support the organisation of training events, communities of practice, codifying and sharing knowledge.
  • Facilitation and organisation of training for project staff to enable them to perform at the equired level.   

The incumbent may also perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Finance Analyst will work under the direct supervisin of the Project Management Specialist, Sustainable Finance Hub, and in close collaboration with the other SFH and BPPS team members. 
 

Competencies

Core 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 Competences

  • Business Direction and Strategy - Systems Thinking: 
    • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system 
  • Business Management - Project Management: 
    • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
  • Finance - Management and cost accounting: 
    • Ability to produce periodic qualitative and quantitative performance reports to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring. Ability to use a range of costing techniques and analyse cost related data to provide quantitative information to the users of reports. 
  • Finance - Budget Management: 
    • Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets
  • Business Management - 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. 
  • Business Development - Knowledge Generation: 
    • Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need
Required Skills and Experience
 
Education:
  • Advanced university degree (Master degree or equivalent)  in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Management, or other closely related area is required. Or
  • A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above areas, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
Experience:
  • Up to 2 years (with Master's degree) or minimum 2 years (with Bachelor's degree) of progressively responsible UNDP experience in finance, accounting, project management, programme management support or other closely related area is required.

Language:

  • Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.  

Required  skills 

  • Demonstrated experience in budgeting and financial analysis is a must.
  • Strong familiarity with UN/UNDP corporate policies, processes and procedures related to project and portfolio financial management is required.  
  • Proficiency in IT software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling web-based management systems  is required.

Desirable skills

  • Additional certification in accounting/finance/project management from a recognized international institution is a an advantage.   
  • Familiarity and hands-on experience in budget set-ups and payment processing in Quantum is a strong asset. 
  • Demonstrated experience in developing and supporting the implementation of various donor contribution and partnership agreements, preferably EC, is highly desirable.
  • Experience in advising project personnel on various UNDP budget and finance matters is an advantage. 
  • Experience with the implementation of UNDP HACT framework and supporting project audit exercises is highly desirable.
  • Demonstarted ability to work independently and prioritize to meet multiple competing deadlines is an asset.
  • Demonstarted ability of result-orientation and ability to work in a stressful environment

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

  • Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
  • A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
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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This vacancy is now closed.
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