Senior Expert on Public Financial Management

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

ECR operates global portfolios from offices in Geneva, Brussels and New York, and country-specific programmes from its operations and project centres located in Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries.

UNOPS Office in Ukraine is operational since 1 April 2017 following the signature of the Host Country Agreement in November 2016. The strategy of Ukraine office is to strengthen UNOPS role in operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on human and economic development, recovery, rule of law, environment, disaster risk reduction, health and social impact investment. Office in Ukraine is to ensure the strengthened means of implementation programmes of development and humanitarian assistance nature with revitalized partnerships in Infrastructure, Procurement, Project Management, Financial Management and advisory services.
UNOPS is currently in discussion with the EU Delegation in Ukraine for implementation of the selected components of EU funded programme aimed at improving Public Finance Management in Ukraine.  The objectives of this programme are:

• Support relevant national institutions in the improvement of budget preparation, implementation and control.
• Contribute to the better management of public expenditures in the areas of public investments, fiscal risks and payroll management
• Support the further development of a modern, efficient and fair revenue collection system.
• Support relevant PFM institutions in the enhancement of their organizational capacities   

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

 The Senior Expert on Public Finance Management is responsible for development of a project document (Description of Action), Log Frame, Budget and Communication Plan as per EU/UNOPS requirements for PAGODA 2 agreement and in close coordination and consultations with the various implementing agencies and national counterparts. The Expert should have a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders to ensure the deliverables are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and the EU. Success of the Project(s) and hence the Senior Expert will be based on the Success Criteria of development of UNOPS engagements which are linked to the below responsibilities. 

 Stakeholder Management:

• Establish solid working relationship with the key stakeholders including but not limited to EU Delegation in Ukraine, other implementers involved in the programme, national counterparts, etc.
• Manage communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of progress in development of documents necessary for the engagement
• Advise the client on issues that may impact the achievement of the outcomes
• Closely coordinate the activities with all stakeholders

Delivery and Performance:

• Develop action plan for the assignment with key milestones, deliverables and completion deadlines in coordination with EU Delegation in Ukraine
• Produce the following deliverables: Description of Action, Log Frame, Indicative Budget and Communication Pan as per the requirements of EU Delegation for PAGODA 2 agreement modality.
• Clearly define the role of UNOPS in coordinating the activities of other implementing partners and methodologies and approaches for efficiency and effectiveness including but not limited to communications, implementation arrangements, reporting, logistics, etc. 
• These deliverables (as minimum) should take into account and further expand and break down the below activities initially assigned by EU Delegation for implementation by UNOPS:

-          Expert advice, training, exchanges and advocacy in legal, methodological and governance questions linked to the development and implementation of modern HRM policies.

 -          Expert advice, training, exchanges and advocacy in legal, methodological and governance questions linked to, inter alia, establishment of initial and continuous training system (including online training portal).

 -          Expert advice, training, exchanges and advocacy in legal, methodological and governance questions linked to, inter alia, design and implement integrity and anti-corruption policies across the PFM system institutions including full and independent vetting and re-appointment of staff.

 -          Expert advice, training, exchanges and advocacy in legal, methodological and governance questions linked to, inter alia, business process reviews and adaptation, change management in all relevant PFM agencies and development of strategic planning functions.

 -          Expert advice, training, exchanges and advocacy in legal, methodological and governance questions and procurement of IT equipment and IT solutions to support, inter alia, improved IOT interoperability and information exchange between the Ministry of Finance, the State Fiscal Service, and the State Treasury Service.

 -          Expert advice, training, exchanges and advocacy in legal, methodological and governance questions and procurement of IT equipment and IT solutions to support, inter alia, the automation of functions in PFM in line with the priorities specified of the government IT systems development plan for PFM as regards budget process, accounting, treasury and expenditure controls, revenue mobilisation and trade facilitation, financial and economic crime investigation, public procurement, internal control and external audit, and IT security.

 -          Expert advice, training, exchanges and advocacy in legal, methodological and governance questions and procurement of IT equipment and IT solutions to support, inter alia, automation of budgeting and accounting IT platform, online auditor management and training platform for internal audit and control, support IT development in core functions of tax administration reviewed during Business Process Review or in-depth review of selected functions such as audit, refunds, filing and payment, debt collection and further tax and customs functions.

 -          Expert advice, training, exchanges and advocacy in legal, methodological and governance questions and procurement of IT equipment and IT solutions to support urgent additional PFM reform priorities. This should also include reflection of horizontal capacity building linked to organisational development, training systems, Human Resource Management and other related areas.

 -          Expert advice, training, exchanges and advocacy in legal, methodological and governance questions to support the overall planning, coordinating and monitoring of PFM reforms.

 -          Expert advice, training, exchanges and advocacy in legal, methodological and governance questions to support effective policy dialogue on PFM issues involving different stakeholders, including from Civil Society.

 -          Develop the DOA (and other deliverables) that also covers UNOPS role as overall coordination of the programme including implementation of activities by other implementing partners and provision of procurement and administrative services

• Re-scoping of the above activities, if required, and based on discussions with the national counterparts and other implementing partners in consultation with EU Delegation and other stakeholders, if necessary.
• Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to client and stakeholders is achieved
• Manage and review product quality and ensure products are accepted

Perform other related duties as instructed.

At least 10 years of progressive experience in project development and management, with focus on Public Finance Management in either public or private sector organizations in complex international settings preferably in the countries of Eastern Europe and CIS and especially with EU funded projects in Public Finance Management. Experience in projects on institutional capacity building, Human Resource Management and training systems is required. 

Full working knowledge of English is essential.

Working knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian is a strong asset

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.