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Finance Associate - Yemen Emergency Crisis Response Project (YECRP)

Sanaa

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Sanaa
  • Grade: Consultancy - SB-3 (SC6/SC7), Service Contract, Local Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Administrative support
    • Banking and Finance
    • Medical Practitioners
    • Poverty Reduction
    • Humanitarian Aid and Coordination
    • Conflict prevention
    • Disaster Management (Preparedness, Resilience, Response and Recovery)
    • Emergency Aid and Response
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

The ongoing conflict in Yemen has resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian emergency with an increasing toll of civilian deaths and casualties across the country. Over 80 percent of Yemen’s population is estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance and more than 2.5 million Yemenis have become IDPs.
 
The ongoing conflict has destroyed much of the institutional ability of key ministries, governorates and local authorities to deliver essential social services to citizens. Public service restoration is essential for a smooth transition to recovery, as a political agreement is being negotiated. Combining communities’ own efforts with whatever limited state institutional capacity remains are needed to both curtail further humanitarian deterioration and the political ramifications of total state collapse.
 
In this context, UNDP, in partnership with the European Union (EU), developed a project to step up current efforts of the international community to deliver critically needed livelihood support and service delivery to a population hard hit by the conflict. The Yemen Emergency Crisis Response Project (YECRP) contributes to improving the resilience of participating households and communities and helps host communities of IDPs to cope with the economic and social pressures on the already scarce resources. It contributes to local area economies by supporting local communities, private sector contractors, community healthcare and psycho-social support, and improving the purchasing power of benefitting communities.
 
The YECRP (Social Protection component) is a three-year project funded by the EU and implemented by an experienced national agency: the Social Fund for Development (SFD). It has identified  four key result areas to deliver:
  1. Vulnerable Yemeni households are able to enhance their income and livelihoods through participation in cash-for-work and asset upgrade/replacement.
  2. Basic healthcare facilities are functional through community-based projects and provision of equipment for alternative and renewable energy source (i.e. solar), improved water and medical waste management
  3. Scaled-up psycho-social assistance is provided linked to health care, skills development and income generation
  4. Local authorities can effectively plan, coordinate and monitor implementation of priority projects for enhanced basic services delivery including health care
In delivering these outputs, UNDP will be able to ensure that Yemeni households and communities are able to effectively cope with the impact of the crisis and to enhance resilience-building and early recovery efforts.
 
As such, the project contributes towards Outcome 6 of the UNDP Corporate Strategic Plan: Early recovery and rapid return to sustainable development pathways are achieved in post-conflict situations.
 
UNDP Yemen now seeks to hire a Finance Associate (Social Protection) based in the UNDP Country Office in Sana’a to support the Project’s financial operations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Finance Associate will be responsible for providing timely and effective project financial management support.
 
Summary of Key Functions:
 
Financial management, monitoring and reporting:
  • Analyze potential problems concerning administrative-financial issues and take respective measures to ensure adequate project resources in time for implementation of project activities;
  • Define and recommend to the Project Manager cost-effective measures for optimal use of Project resources;
  • Prepare all financial and administrative documents related to the implementation of the project in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures, and maintain project’s expenditure and commitments shadow budget;
  • Develop quarterly and annual budget plans for recruitment of personnel; and maintain financial records and monitoring systems to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, payments and other data for day-to-day transaction and reports;
  • Prepare detailed cost estimates and participate in budget analysis and projections as required to handle all financial operations of the project, make cash payments, and reconcile all accounts in required time frame;
  • Prepare vouchers and process payments for all Project financial transactions, and process payment under Direct Payment Request to UNDP for hard currency payments;
  • Perform cash custodian duties being primarily responsible for project cash disbursements and maintain the project petty cash book and payrolls related to the office;
  • Prepare periodic Financial Reports and other Quarterly Reports;
  • Continually advise and guide project staff on DEX financial and administrative and reporting procedure, and assist Project staff, experts and consultants in matters relating to allowances, salary advances, travel claims and other financial and administrative matters, and calculate and process payment due for claims and services;
  • Assist and facilitate project audit as well as internal audit conducted by UNDP;
  • Ensure full compliance of administrative and financial processes and financial records within UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies.
  • As required, provide capacity development support to responsible parties and wider Social Protection project partners on financial reporting
  • Take follow up measures on audit findings;
Provides effective support to Project Management, administration of budgets and functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results::
  • Collect and review financial reports and any supporting documents submitted by responsible parties of the Social Protection component.
  • Compile, copy and file all project financial reports
  • Perform other duties related to financial issues of the project as required.
  • Presentation of information for formulation of project work plan, budget, proposal on implementation arrangements and execution modalities. Entry of data of new grants into Atlas in the form of Annual Work Plans (AWPs), monitoring of their status.
  • Accuracy verification of Combined Delivery Reports.
  • Provision of information for the audit of project, implementation of audit recommendations.
  • Implementation of the control mechanism for development projects through monitoring of budgets preparation and modifications
  • Tracking and reporting on mobilized resources.
  • Preparation of reports.
  • Assists in the preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the services provided by, elaboration and implementation of the income tracking system and follow up on cost recovery.
Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing within the project and CO, focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Systematic gaining and sharing of knowledge and experience related to project management.
  • Organization of training for the staff on financial related issues.
  • Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in project finance.
  • Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Provides accounting and administrative support to the project, focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas.
  • Timely corrective actions on erroneous data in Atlas.  Preparation of financial reports as required.
  • Maintenance of the Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects and follow-up with partners on contributions, deposits creation in Atlas and their application to AR pending items.
Ensures administration and implementation of the Project’s financial management strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Full compliance with UN/UNDP rules and regulations and other relevant policies on financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations; implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system.
  • Provision of inputs for implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies in consultation with the office management.
  • Preparation of cost sharing, and trust fund agreements, follow up on contributions within the Project and CO resource mobilization efforts.

Competencies

Core competencies:
Integrity:

  • Demonstrates the values of the United Nations in daily activities and behaviours;
  • Acts without consideration of personal gain;
  • Resists undue political pressure in decision-making;
  • Does not abuse power or authority;
  • Stands by decisions that are in the Organization’s interest, even if they are unpopular;
  • Takes prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour.

Professionalism

  • Shows pride in work and in achievements;
  • Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
  • Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
  • Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
  • Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
  • Remains calm in stressful situations.

Team Work

  • Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;
  • Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others;
  • Places team agenda before personal agenda;
  • Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position;
  • Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning and organizing

  • Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
  • Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required;
  • Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;
  • Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
  • Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;
  • Uses time efficiently.

Accountability

  • Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments;
  • Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards;
  • Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;
  • Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments;
  • Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Client orientation

  • Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view;
  • Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect;
  • Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions;
  • Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems;
  • Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects;
  • Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

  • A Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, Finance, Accountancy, Auditing or relevant field.

Experience: 

  • At least 5 years of experience in relevant field (including project management, project administration etc.)
  • Ability to use information and communication technology (ICT) as a tool and resource, experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel), and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages; experience in handling web-based management systems
  • Prior experience working on financial management of International Assistance projects is a significant asset.
  • Proven knowledge, record and experience in using the ATLAS system (finance) is an absolute must  
  • Working experience in the United Nations system, particularly UNDP, is an asset .

Language Requirements: 

  • Fluency in English and Arabic, both written and oral

Disclaimer

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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This vacancy is now closed.
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