Finance Associate

The Development for Renewable Energy Applications Mainstreaming and Market Sustainability (DREAMS) Project is a nationally implemented project by the Department of Energy. The Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB) is the implementing unit of the DOE. A Project Management Unit (PMU) is based at the DOE Office. The Office is located at PNOC Building 5, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila.

 The DREAMS project seeks to reduce Green House gas (Ghg) emissions from the power industry by helping reduce the barriers in the development and installation of renewable energy projects. There are components of the projects that are being implemented in selected provinces.

 Currently, the field project sites are in Palawan and Iloilo. The project is however conducting consultations, workshops, meetings in other parts of the country aside from the provinces mentioned. The total project budget from 2016-2021 is US$ 5.2 million only. The DREAMS project is financially supported by the UNDP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Counterpart contributions, in cash and kind, is also being provided by local partners like provincial and municipal government institutions.

 The DREAMS project is in search of a Finance Associate (FA) that will be responsible for effective and transparent utilization of financial resources and integrity of financial services of the DREAMS Project.The Finance Associate works in collaboration with the Divisions at the REMB and, as the need for coordination arises, with the Finance and Management Services of DOE. Specifically, he/she will be the financial focal point for the DREAMS project.

 The FA analyzes and interprets the financial rules and regulations both at UNDP and DOE and recommends solutions to a wide spectrum of financial issues or risks being faced by the Project. The Finance Associate promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations and applicable rules or procedures under the DOE financial process.

 The FA will be under the over-all guidance of the National Project Director. The work of the FA will be supervised on a day to day basis by the Project Manager of the DREAMS PMU.

 The Finance Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP and DOE rules and regulations.

• Supports to the implementation of UNDP and GEF operational financial strategies and processes
• Ensures administration of project budgets
• Provides accounting and administrative support
• Ensures proper cash management functioning
• Contributes to capacity building and knowledge sharing in the project.

1. Ensures implementation of UNDP operational strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance with UNDP and GEF rules and regulations of financial processes, financial records and reports and audit requirement
• Implementation of the effective project financial control system
• Compliance with DOE financial procedures, as may be applicable in the context of the Full Country Office Support System of the UNDP
• Compliance with financial reporting requirements of the DOE and other partner agencies e.g. National Economic and Development Authority, or others as may be approved by the DOE and UNDP

2.Ensures administration of project budgets focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Assist in the preparation and modifications of budgets for projects, follow-up with CO on financial
  guidelines and procedures.
• Presentation of researched information for planning and status of financial resources of the DREAMS Project
• Timely preparation and implementation of the fund utilization reports vis a vis approved Annual Work Plan and Project Document.

3. Provides accounting and related administrative support on achievement of the following results:

• ·Proper control of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports;
• ·preparation of all types of vouchers along with supporting documents for all project activities;
• ·Prepare and maintain advances and financial reports and settlements and keep a track of all funds released by the Project in line with the UNDP standard financial procedures
• ·Maintain an accessible filing system in the project relating to finance.
• ·Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas; travel claims, POs and other entitlements are duly processed.
• ·Timely corrective actions on un-posted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.
•       Compliance with DOE required documents as may be required in the conduct of project activities, e.g. travel reports, Approval of Activities

4.  Ensures proper cash management functioning focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Timely review of cash position for project accounts to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements.
• Timely identification and recording of receipts for income application.
• Timely preparation of monthly cash flow forecast to obtain estimate of requirement for use by
  project staff.
• Management of cash receipts.
• Follow up and maintenance of the Accounts Dues and Receivables, if any

5. Contributes to capacity building and knowledge sharing focusing on achievement of the following results:

•  Supports the organization of trainings for the PMU staff on finance.
• Supports the synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in finance.
• Provides sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Undertakes any other finance related tasks as assigned

Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly and without favoritism; and
• Shows strong corporate commitment

Innovation   Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 3: Adapts deliverables to meet client needs

Leadership   Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 3: Proactively seeks and recognizes contributions of others

People Management    Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 3: Appropriately involves team in different stages of work and decision-making

Communication   Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 3: Expresses information and views with adaptive reasoning and appreciation for complexity and variation

Delivery   Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 3: Takes responsibility for addressing critical situations and delivering core value

Project Management  Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Level 2: Execute & Learn: Execute & Learn: Perform defined tasks

Report Writing  Ability to prepare quality reports

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Accounting (General)  Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, regulations, and policies and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Budget Management  Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Internal Reporting and Accountability  Ability to create internal reporting and accountability processes and standards

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Quality Assurance  Ability to perform administrative and procedural activities to insure that quality requirements and goals are fulfilled

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Service Delivery Coordination   Ability to coordinate and deliver services in line with service level agreements and standards of excellence in UNDP

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Stakeholders Management  Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and balance often contradictory expectations, building and maintaining relationships

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Procurement  The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Logistics  Knowledge of logistics operations, principles and methods, and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration and/ or other related fields. certification in Accounting and Finance. University Degree in Accounting would be desirable.

Experience:

Experience in UN Agencies and UN processes is an advantage.  

Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.);

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English (spoken and written) and Filipino.

Others:

• Advanced knowledge with financial processing applications, e.g. excel, numbers
• Basic knowledge in word processing, e.g. word, power point
• Related experience working in a government institution, or an international organization or internationally funded project is an advantage

UNDP is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staffs and encourages. Further, UNDP is a United Nations organization whose staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity, and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. UNDP staff are expected to uphold these values at all times, both at work and outside.

UNDP has zero tolerance of harassment, discrimination, sexual abuse, abuse of authority and exploitation.

To start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.undp.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNDP Personal History Form. Please note that UNDP only accepts degrees from accredited educational institutions. Only applications received throughhttp://jobs.undp.org will be considered and applications received after closing date will not be considered. Due to the large number of applications received for UNDP Philippines vacancies, only applicants short-listed for written test and interview will be contacted.

General Information

UNDP is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staffs and encourages applications from qualified candidates and persons with disabilities.

UNDP is a United Nations organization whose staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity, and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. UNDP staff are expected to uphold these values at all times, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNDP jobs.

UNDP has zero tolerance of sexual abuse, abuse of authority and exploitation.

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Applicant information about UNDP rosters

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Workforce diversity

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