Finance Associate

The Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) of UNDP reports to the UNDP Executive Board, which is the custodian of the UNDP Evaluation Policy (DP/2016/23). IEO conducts independent evaluations and other activities according to its programme of work approved by the Executive Board.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Chief of Section, Operation the Programme Finance Associate lead the financial support of the evaluation programme execution, ensuring effective and transparent utilization of financial resources and integrity of related services. The Programme Finance Associate promotes a client-oriented approach in total compliance with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Programme Associate technically leads the support staff of the substantive sections. The Programme Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the rest of Operations team of the (IEO) to resolve complex programme, financial management related issues and information delivery.
 

Summary of Key functions

• Administration and implementation of operational and financial management strategies,
• Support to IEO programme management, administration of budgets and effective cost recovery
• Support to resource mobilization strategy
• Facilitation of knowledge building and sharing, guidance to all stakeholders on financial matters
• Provide operational support to evaluations by backing up recruitment, travel, country office/consultant liaison, project dashboard and other services required.

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

• Full compliance with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, 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.
• IEO Finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard
• Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with office management.
• Implementation of cost sharing and trust fund agreements
• Elaboration of conditions of contributions within the IEO resource mobilization efforts.

Provides support to IEO programme management and ensures the optimal cost recovery focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Development and follow up on Programme Portfolio Pipeline and Project Tree in Atlas. Entry of data of new grants into Atlas in the form of Annual Work Plans (AWPs), monitoring of AWPs status.
• Sending project budget to KK (if authorized and on the basis of signed project documents and project budgets)

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

• Drafting of cost sharing and trust fund agreements and obtaining of clearances from other units/agencies if necessary.
• Monitoring of cost sharing contributions, preparation of AR pending items, application of deposits against prepared pending items.
• Track and reporting on mobilized resources by performing the following tasks if assigned to the S/M.
• Review signed cost sharing contribution agreements and trust fund agreements.
• Enter Agreement information into Contracts Module.
• Attach copy of the signed agreement in Atlas
• Create Billing Plan in Contracts Module.
• Create Revenue Plan and establish Milestones in Contracts Module.
• Bill a donor through Contracts Module.
• Maintain contributions/receivables documentation
• Apply cash receipt to the proper revenue source / fund or project
• Advice to Programme and Project Staff on different donor reporting requirements; 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 the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects, tracking use of financial resources.
• Advice to IEO staff on UNDP administrative reporting, in particular, on budgetary issues.
• Organization of training for the operations/programme/projects staff on financial management and RBM.
• Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in programme and project finance.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Core Competencies

Innovation

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work.
• Adapts deliverables to meet client needs.

Leadership

• Ability to persuade others to follow.
• Proactively identifies new opportunities and challenges.

People Management

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.
• Takes ownership of responsibilities.

Communication

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.
• Understands, explains and shares information on assigned tasks with accuracy and clarity.

Delivery

• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.
• Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services.

Technical/Functional Competencies

Financial Planning and Budgeting

• Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals.
• Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise.

Financial Reporting and Analysis

• Ability to evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful manner.
• Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise.

Audit

• Ability to examine and verify accounts and records.
• Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise.

Accounting

• Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, regulations, and policies and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.
• Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise.

Problem Solving

• Accurately accumulating information and its analysis; forecasting potential problems and planning; allowing for alternative, creative solutions and identifying most reasonable solutions.
• Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise.

Knowledge Management

• Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.
• Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work.

IT and BI tools knowledge

• Firm understanding of business intelligence tools, and the architecture and design of advanced integrated management systems, preferably including PeopleSoft.
• Leads integral work of teams utilizing expertise, vision, problem-solving capability, and collaborative energy in professional area of expertise.

Project Management

• Ability to efficiently execute a project, securing timely goals achievement.
• Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work.

Education

• Secondary Education is required.
• Specialized certification in Accounting and Finance is advantageous.
• University Degree in Finance, Business or Public Administration desirable.
• Part-qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.

Experience

• 7 years of progressively responsible financial management or accounting experience is required, with 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, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required.
• Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS required.

Language

• Proficiency in English
• Working knowledge of Spanish and/or French, desirable.

Important applicant information

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

Externally advertised GS fixed-term appointment and temporary appointment (TA) positions located in New York/Washington D.C. are open to candidates who are either US Permanent Residents, US Citizens or holders of a valid G4 visa at the time of their application and whose G4 visa has been acquired on account of their employment in the UN Systems based in New York or Washington, DC.

Selected candidates who meet the above mentioned eligibility criteria are responsible for their own travel and/or relocation costs.

Selection to GS fixed-term appointment positions at Headquarters requires passing a UN administered clerical test (ASAT). External applicants to General Service (GS) positions in New York who already possess a Bachelor’s degree or an accredited certification in a technical field (e.g. IT, Finance, or Procurement) will not need to obtain/pass the UN Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT). However, passing specialized tests (e.g. Finance and Accounting technical assessments) may still be required for some General Service (GS) positions, as specified in the vacancy announcement.

Applicants under serious consideration for short-listing of posts requiring accountancy and finance skills, must take the UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (UNDP AFT) prior to short-listing.

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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