Project Finance Associate

Under The direct supervision of the Programme/Portfolio Team Leader, the Finance Associate provides the Programme with financial services ensuring effective and transparent utilization of Programme financial resources and integrity of financial services. The Finance Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations teams in the Country Office (CO) resolve complex programme financial Management-related issues and information delivery.

Ensures administration and implementation of programme financial management strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, and policies of programme financial activities, programme financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit;
• recommendations in respect of programme activities; implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented programme financial resources management system;
• Implementation of cost sharing and trust fund agreements, as applicable to the programme;
• Elaboration of conditions of contributions within the programme resource mobilization efforts.

Provides support to programme finance management and administration of relevant budget and expenditures focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Development and follow up on programme Pipeline and linkages to Project Tree in Atlas;
• Contribution to the planning of available financial resources through establishing and monitoring programme budgets and expenditures targets as well as pipeline buildup targets;
• Entry of data of new grants related to programme into Atlas in the form of Annual Work Plans (AWPs) including relevant GMS rates and its distribution, monitoring of AWPs status;
• Review and validate programme budget revision (AWPs) entered into ATLAS in line with available programme financial resources in the relevant projects and established expenditures targets;
• Revision of award and project status and follow up on financial closure of programme or related tasks, once operationally completed, including the Project Completion Check List;
• Implementation of effective internal controls for programme budget and expenses, proper functioning of a client-oriented programme financial resources management system, control mechanism through monitoring budget preparation and modifications, budgetary status versus ASL, follow up on ASL for programme;
• Proper control of the supporting documents for payments, review of financial reports for programme expenses;
• Contribution to the provision of the information/reports on the financial situation of programme;
• identification of programme financial problems, proposal of solutions;
• Accuracy verification of Combined Delivery Reports including F&A (GMS) amounts;
• collected and follow-up on their signature by relevant parties;
• Contribution to the regular monitoring of programme delivery;
• Contribution to the preparation of programme financial reports including donor reports;
• Verification and reconciliation of various expenditures reports from the CO, HQ and Responsible Party;
• Provision of researched information for the DIM audits related to programme, implementation of audit recommendations.

Provides support to implementation of the programme resources mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Draft cost sharing and trust fund agreements related to programme;
• Communicate information on contributions agreements related to programme to the GSSC including upload of the signed agreements into DMS, monitor cost-sharing contributions, and update information regarding outstanding milestones;
• Advice on different donor reporting requirements related to programme; monitoring of financial reports to be submitted to donors.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, guidance to all stakeholders on financial matters focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Guidance to responsible parties on routine implementation of activities, tracking use of financial resources;
• Advice on DIM reporting, in particular on budgetary issues;
• Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in programme and project finance;
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Impact of Results:

The key results have an impact on the overall CO efficiency in programme, smooth running of Finances and success in implementation of programme strategies and smooth running. Accurate analysis and presentation of information enhances UNDP’s position as a strong development Partner. The information provided facilitates decision making of the management.

Functional Competencies:

  Building Partnerships:

• Maintaining information and databases;
• Analyzes general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives;
• Tracks and reports on mobilized resources.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

• Basic research and analysis;
• Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things.
• Identifies and communicates opportunities to promote learning and knowledge sharing.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:

• Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures;
• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position;
• Possesses knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position;
• Applies them consistently in work tasks (broad range of specialized knowledge related to financial resources management, including formulating budgets, maintaining Accounts Receivables and Accounts Payables, reporting);
• Identifies new and better approaches to work processes and incorporates same in own work;
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work Assignments.

Promoting Organizational Change and Development:

• Presentation of information on best practices in organizational change;
• Documents ‘best practices’ in organizational change and development within and outside the UN system;
• Demonstrates ability to identify problems and proposes solutions.

Design and Implementation of Management Systems:

• Data gathering and implementation of management systems;
• Uses information/databases/other management systems;
• Makes recommendations related to work procedures and implementation of management systems.

Client Orientation:

• Maintains effective client relationships;
• Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients;
• Responds to client needs promptly.

Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management:

• Gathering and disseminating information;
• Gathers and disseminates information on best practice in accountability and results based management systems;
• Maintains databases.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Informed and transparent decision making.

Education:

University Degree in Finance, Business or Public Administration, or any other related field. Qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute will have an advantage.

Experience:

• 5 years of progressively responsible financial management accounting, or management experience is required at the national or international level;
• Knowledge of programme or project finance desirable;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages is a must;
• Experience in handling of web based management systems is desirable;
• Knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and/or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is desirable.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Arabic is a must.

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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