National Finance Officer- HPC Project

UNDP supports stabilization, state building, rule of law, governance and development priorities in Afghanistan. The disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants has been central to the state building agenda in Afghanistan; thus, UNDP has provided assistance in DDR, area-based livelihoods and reconstruction programmes. Specifically, UNDP supported the government’s DDR programme (2003-2005), the Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups programme (DIAG) from 2005-2010, and the Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Programme (APRP) from 2010 – 2016. These programmes demobilized tens of thousands of armed men over the past 15 years.

Under the APRP, UNDP supported Government’s initiatives to promote peace, reconciliation and security in Afghan communities through outreach, reintegration, and community recovery initiatives. UNDP technically assisted the Government’s High Peace Council (HPC), its Secretariat, APRP Financial Oversight Committee Secretariat and APRP partner Line Ministries in the implementation of this Afghan-led programme. At the sub national level, UNDP supported the HPC’s peacebuilding and reintegration activities within the communities through 34 Provincial Joint Secretariat Teams and 33 Provincial Peace Committees.

UNDP, working in close collaboration with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Donors, and the HPC recently agreed to develop a Project Initiation Plan (PIP) for the duration September 2017 – March 2018. The PIP will provide resources to initiate and support the piloting of the implementation of the government’s new Peace and Reconciliation in Afghanistan (PRA) strategy. The PIP will also come up with a suggested long-term programme framework for the implementation of the PRA strategy. The PRA strategy adopts a ‘whole of government’ approach incorporating economic, social, and political spheres that focus on five strategic objectives to achieve long-term peace and security. Specifically, the new PRA strategic objectives  are:

1.Armed oppositions reconcile to a peaceful political and social life through inter-Afghan dialogue and negotiations;

2.National consensus and public mobilization to garner support for Afghan-led solutions;

3.Community security and stabilization enhanced through community based peace and stability initiatives;

4.Implement peace agreements with armed opposition groups after negotiated settlements; and,

5.Institutionalize and reinforce Afghan capacities for peace.

Based on an evaluation of the activities supported under the PIP, UNDP will provide a suggested programming framework to support the implementation of the Government’s PRA strategy. UNDP’s offer will be illustrated in the form of a project document to be finalized within the life-span of the PIP.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Governance Unit Head and relevant Programme Officer, the Financial Officer will be responsible for ensuring the highest efficiency in financial resources management and the provision of accurate and documented financial information, effective delivery of financial services, and transparent utilization of financial resources. He/she analyses and interprets the financial rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues.

The Financial Officer works in close collaboration with the implementing partners of the project, the Country Office (CO) Operations unit, and programme teams in the CO in ensuring successful implementation of the Project.

Summary of key functions:

• Effective and accurate financial resources management and oversight;
• Implementation of operational strategies and procedures;
• Programmes’ budgets management and proper control of accounts;
• Ensure close monitoring of the implementing partners;
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the project and with the implementing partner.

1. Ensure effective and accurate financial resources management and oversight, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Financial analysis and oversight for all resources managed by the Projects and provision of high-quality professional advice to the Programme management;
• Proper planning and expenditure tracking of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations and project grant agreement(s);
• Maintain internal controls over all financial processes;
• Ensure an efficient financial flow process;
• Put in place a reporting system for internal project needs;
• Facilitate annual audits of project financial statements as required by UNDP and ensure external auditors have all relevant information and follow-up on audit reports to ensure that gaps in audit reports are closed;
• Prepare cost estimates for different activities according to the needs of program management;Develop, track and report to management key financial performance indicators.

2. Ensure implementation of operational strategies and procedures, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Establish and/or improve financial procedures: e.g. receipts, payments, disbursements and bookkeeping, filing procedures for the projects counterparts;
• Continuous analysis and monitoring of the financial situation and presentation of forecasts for the projects;
• Ensure preparation of the Programmes’ Quarterly Report, monthly Cash Flow and annual Cash Flow Forecasts, statement of sources and uses of funds in compliance with the project requirements;

• Ensure preparation of other financial reports to be submitted to the project management and act as a Focal point for finance information for the project;
• Elaboration and implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies;
• Routinely monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigate anomalies or unusual transactions. Inform supervisors of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained;
• Timely preparation of monthly cash flow forecast for use by the project management.                                 

3. Ensure management of Programmes’ budgets and proper control of accounts focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Manage financial resources through planning, guiding, monitoring and controlling of the resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
• Prepare and monitor projects’ budgets in Atlas;
• Elaboration of proper mechanisms to eliminate deficiencies in budget management;

4. Ensure close monitoring of the implementing partners:

• Provide guidance and capacity building of implementing partners on issues of finance – from contracting and banking issues to budgeting, accounting and reporting;
• Monitor implementing partners for accuracy of financial information and safeguards to eliminate fraud;
• Ensure annual audits of implementing partners and follow up on action plans;

1-Promoting accountability and result-based management

Input to the development of standards and policies 

2-Client Orientation

Contributing to the positive outcomes of the client. 

3-Building Partnerships

Identifying and building partnerships

4-Promoting organizational learning and knowledge sharing

Developing tools of mechanism 

5-Promoting organizational change and development

Assisting the individuals to cope with the change

6-Design and implementation of management systems

Designing and implementing management system

Education:

• Bachelor Degree in Finance/Accounting, Business, or Public Administration, or a professional accounting qualification from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy is required;
• Master’s Degree in Finance/Accounting, Business, or Public Administration, or a professional accounting qualification from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy is desired.
• Professionally qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage;

Experience:

• 4 years of relevant experience with Bachelor degree required
• 2 years of relevant experience with Master Degree is desired;
• Knowledge and experience in working with UNDP and/or UN agencies is an advantage;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages is required. 

Language:

• Fluency in English spoken and written is required
• Fluency in Dari or Pashto is required. 

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.

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