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Finance Associate

Kabul

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Kabul
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Administrative support
    • Banking and Finance
  • 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’s mission as part of the UN system is to achieve sustainable development and fight poverty wherever it is greatest. This requires the very best of us, world-class collaboration, innovative thinking, resilient-based strategies, and continuous learning. UNDP’s competitive advantage as a development partner of choice comes from having the trust of developing countries, owing to our impartial character, transparency, and longstanding presence and commitment to the poorest and most vulnerable. We offer opportunities to make a lasting difference to the more than 170 countries where we commit our support and expertise.

As a trusted, long-term partner of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund, GF), UNDP’s value proposition lies in providing an integrated package of development solutions to strengthen institutions to deliver health services. Through its contributions as interim Principal Recipient and provider of technical assistance in over 53 countries since 2003, UNDP’s provision of integrated policy, implementation and capacity development support to countries has yielded significant health and development results in challenging operating environments. In Afghanistan, UNDP is the interim Principal Recipient (PR) for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and health systems, with a budget of approximately $70 million.  For effective implementation of the Global Fund resources, UNDP Afghanistan has established a Program Management Unit (PMU), which is responsible for the day-to-day overall programme management, risk management, policy guidance, financial accountability, procurement of goods, including health products and services, strengthening of the national pharmaceutical and laboratory supply chain systems. 
 

Under direct supervision of the Finance Specialist, the Finance Associate will provide financial management, general administrative support, and capacity building. This will be done in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, the grant agreement, and corporate agreements with the GF, and working in partnership with national and provincial stakeholders, Sub-recipients (SRs) and close coordination with the GF (including Local Fund Agent), technical partners and UN entities, and the GF/HST. 

 
Duties and Responsibilities

1)  Ensures administration of the Global Fund Grant budget focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Full compliance with UNDP/GF rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations; and implementation ofeffective internal controls.
  • Preparation follow-up and modifications of consolidated grant and SR budgets.
  • Implementation of the control mechanism for Global Fund program budgets through monitoring budgets preparation and modifications, expenditures versus budgeted amounts and, maintenance of the General Ledger.
  • Sending project budget to KK if authorized by the Senior Management.
  • Timely preparation of cost-recovery bills in Quantum for the services provided to the SRs, elaboration and implementation of the income tracking system and follow up on cost recovery.

 

2) Provides accounting and administrative support to the PMU operations division focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Proper control of the supporting documents for payments, review of financial reports for the GF project.
  • Approval of vendors in Quantum.
  • Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Quantum;payrolls are duly prepared; travel claims and other entitlements are duly processed.
  • Coordination and review of accounts closure.
  • Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers. Timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues.
  • Maintenance of the Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects and follow up with partners on contributions.
  • Timely VAT reimbursements.
  • Proper receipting of goods and services and establishment of accruals.

 

3) Ensures proper project cash management functioning focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements. Timely identification and recording of receipts for income application.
  • Daily review of zero-balance account bank statements in Quantum to monitor interest level; identification and recording of contributions.
  • Alternate to Finance Analyst as primary contact with local bank management on routine operational matters including negotiation of exchange rate on replenishment. 
  • Timely and accurate preparation of bank reconciliations.
  • Selecting bank transfers and deals for approval and settlements.
  • Performing Pay cycle manager role in Quantum.
  • Timely preparation of monthly cash flow forecast for use by Finance Team.
  • Alternate as cashier for cash disbursements made on site.

 

4) Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the PMU focusing on the following results:

  • Organization of training for the operations/programme/projects staff on financial management.
  • Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in financial management.
  • Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

 

5) Institutional Arrangement

The Finance Associate will work under the overall guidance of the Finance Specialist to ensure the provision of effective and efficient financial management activities.  
 

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 competencies 

Thematic Area                      Name                                                                     Definition

Finance                                   Accounting (General)                                        Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks, standards, regulations, policies and trends, and                                                                                                                                    ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations in Sub receipts (SR) management.

Finance                                   Financial planning and budgeting                  Ability to support in creating and managing the processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial                                                                                                                                        goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analysing and reporting especial focus on the SR                                                                                                                                      planning and  budgeting. 

Finance                                   Financial reporting and analysis                     Ability to understand changes in regulatory, legal and ethical frameworks and standards for financial reporting                                                                                                                                in the public sector. 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 of the                                                                                                                                    SRs for the GF. 

Business management        Result Based Management                              Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.

Business management        Client Orientation                                              Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, assist in providing consistent solutions,                                                                                                                                    and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. 

Business management        Knowledge Facilitation                                     Ability for knowledge sharing to the project finance and programme colleagues including the subgrantees. 
 
 
Required Skills and Experience

 
Education:
  • 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.
  • 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:
  • 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.
  • Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required.
Required skills and competencies
 
  • Experience working in/with international donor-funded projects with finance duties. 
  • Solid experience in working with a multi-cultured group of people and systems in high-pressure environments. 
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of web-based management systems. 
Desired additional skills and competencies
 
  • Knowledge of Global Fund’s financial policies and procedures, is an asset.
  • Experience with ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft, is an asset.
  • Knowledge and experience working in the UN or UNDP rules, regulations, policies and procedures is an asset.
Required Language(s) (at working level)
  • Fluency in written and spoken English is required. 
  • Fluency in Dari and/or Pashtu is required.
 
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.