Finance Officer

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System. It 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 continuous spectrum of in-depth 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.

The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UN Guiding Principles) is widely recognized as the most authoritative, normative framework guiding efforts to reduce or eliminate the adverse impact of business operations on human rights. Experts have described it as the single most important innovation in promoting sustainable business practices in the last 25 years – a role that is reinforced by its inclusion as one of the Means of Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda).

The Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) program in Ethiopia was initiated as a pivotal step towards implementing the peace agreement signed between the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) on November 2, 2022, in South Africa. This agreement marked the end of a long-standing conflict that resulted in widespread violence and displacement. The primary objective of the DDR program is to facilitate the disarmament of former combatants from Tigray, Amhara, Oromia, and Afar, followed by their demobilization and eventual reintegration into civilian life. The program aims to restore peace, promote reconciliation, and create a conducive environment for sustainable development across Ethiopia.

The Government of Ethiopia has established the National Rehabilitation Commission (NRC), which is responsible for designing, planning, implementing, and monitoring the DDR program nationwide. The program targets 371,971 beneficiaries, with Phase 1 focusing on demobilizing 75,000 combatants. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is supporting the NRC in close coordination with national and international partners, including the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders. This collaborative effort aims to provide opportunities for combatants in North Ethiopia to engage in peaceful and productive activities, contributing to regional stability and development.

The DDR program has close linkages with the National Dialogue, Transitional Justice, and Peace Support programme. The DDR programme is anchored in the Governance Unit. The aim is to build trust, foster reconciliation, and ensure sustainable peace in Ethiopia. The successful implementation of the DDR program is expected to promote peace and stability by disarming and reintegrating former combatants, foster economic development by engaging ex-combatants in productive activities, and enhance social cohesion by supporting reconciliation efforts and improving social connection among communities affected by the conflict.

Under the direct supervision of the Director -DDR Unit, the Finance Officer will expect to ensure the provision of high-quality support for the overall financial management activities.

Specific Roles and Responsibilities

I. Ensure Effective Project Planning & Budgeting
• Prepare and maintain the project budget in collaboration with the project team and partners
• Monitor and track project expenditures against the approved budget.
• Provide forecast cash flow needs to Director DDR and manage project funds accordingly.
• Advise the Director DDR in identifying and addressing any financial deficiency and issues, if any.
• Produce a monthly summary report on the budget against the AWP for review by the Director DDR
• Guide Implementing Partners in preparing budgets that are compliant with UNDP’s financial rules and regulations.
• Ensure proper documentation and filing of Implementing Partner documents (forms, signed contracts, work plans, budgets, grants assessment reports, M&E frameworks,
correspondences, etc.);
• Provide financial information on Implementing Partners for audit purposes.

II. Provide Financial Management Services
• Prepare accurate and timely financial reports based on compliance with donor requirements and UNDP organizational standards.
• Analyze financial data to identify trends, areas of improvement, and potential challenges.
• Provide the project team with regular financial updates and insights to inform decision-making.
• Perform regular monitoring of the project budget/delivery and review for correctness and alert Finance for any deficiency, wrong entry, insufficient funds, etc., before
quarterly financial closures by UNDP HQ;
• Regularly monitor and track disbursements/advances to Implementing Partner every month;
• Review NEX advance requests/Direct Payment/Reimbursements sent from the RP for compliance with the standard template, accuracy of amounts/exchange rates, etc.
in collaboration with the M&E Officer and the Project Manager and provide technical advice to the IP.
• Jointly with the PDRM Unit, undertake regular spot checks as per HACT guidelines to ensure that all expenditures/payments by Implementing Partners are adequately
documented and adhere to established guidelines;
• Generate Quarterly and Annual financial reports for the UNDP CO review and assist in their analysis;
• In liaison with the Director DDR, UNDP Operations Managers, and PDRM Unit, assist in coordinating the provision of information and documents for the project’s audits/
verifications as and when appropriate;
• Provide regular budget/resource/Delivery updates to the Unit when requested
• Ensure adequate supporting documents for all payments as per the POPPs and maintain an organized, well-documented, and sequential filing system for finance
records and documents.
• Produce a monthly summary spreadsheet per Implementing Partner on the financial status of the project for review by the CO;
• Ensure that LOA for Support to NEX is prepared/Updated and sent to Min. of Finance and uploaded in the HACT share drive.

III. Provide General Administrative Services

• Handle and follow-up procurement of services and goods in consultation with the project team, procurement and operations team, and the Director DDR. Critically
follow up on the proper Transfer of Title, inventory, and Registration of Capital Assets procured for the IP using the UNDP’s POPPs guidelines. Ensure that the
Implementing Partner adheres to the UNDP’s standards of procurement when Support to NEX is preferred.
• Facilitate the Travel inland and outside of Ethiopia for the DDR Team and partners as deemed necessary
• Facilitate the logistics for workshops/meetings/Seminar etc. as and when required


IV. Ensure Integrated Programme Implementation & Capacity Building:

• Contributing to project work planning and reporting exercises, participating in the process to collect inputs from various teams (programme, operations, country offices)
and consolidate them into a holistic plan;
• Identifying synergies and collaborative areas of work between the programme and operations teams, to maximize the project’s overall impact by working together with
the Director DDR;
• Collects and provides necessary data, statistics, and information to support integrated work planning and reporting.
• Guide/share knowledge and information with Implementing Partners on acceptable accounting principles and procedures.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization