Job Description

Background

UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, we have worked towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all.

With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to supporting the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.

UNDP India’s new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on our prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic portfolios:

•    Strong, accountable and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs.
•    Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized.
•    Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems and resilient development for reduced vulnerability.

South-South cooperation, gender equality and social inclusion are promoted across the pillars. The programme is supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, strategic innovation and accelerator labs, and data and digital architecture.

You are invited to join a team of future-smart development professionals to support India in achieving the national and globally agreed goals. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with diverse stakeholders to find country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting To: Project Manager - Sustainable and Blended Finance (NPSA 10)

Reportees to this position (if applicable): NA

UNDP’s Strategic Plan is founded on six signature solutions: keeping people out of poverty, strengthening effective governance; enhancing national resilience; promoting nature-based solutions; closing the energy gap; and strengthening gender equality, where finance development is a critical enabler.

The challenge to finance the SDGs is not the lack of funds, the issue is systemic and much deeper than closing any financial gap. It demands the re-orientation of how government, businesses and investors interact with each other to create a system to achieve results in the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental. Whilst there is growing mainstreaming of SDG and climate-responsive budgeting and positive disruptions to the financial system with the increasing importance of innovative financing instruments underpinned by new inclusive and sustainable business models, the growing blending of public and private resources, crowdfunding, ESG investments, these are not yet at scale.

UNDP India country office is looking to strengthen this momentum through its offer of integrated support on SDG and sustainable financing to state governments and has developed a project Sustainable Finance Facility (SFF). The Facility will provide technical assistance to catalyze sustainable finance instruments that can enable direct capital towards the creation of an equal, inclusive, and resilient economy. The facility will also operationalize the recommendations by G20 Sustainable Finance Working Group, particularly focus areas pertaining to scale up social impact investment instruments and the mobilization of climate finance through blended finance and innovative instruments as well as cross-cutting focus of capacity building of stakeholders. The Sustainable Finance Facility platform aims to provide assistance around early-stage design support for the development of blended and innovative financing structures (largely sub-national) with a focus on catalysing investments for social, environmental and climate goals while mainstreaming gender considerations for such interventions.

Despite growing interest in innovative finance instruments, many investors have cited the challenge of having a limited pipeline of quality sustainable finance projects. At the ground level, there is a lack of bankable projects with limited scalability. Hence the need for a dedicated technical assistance window that supports the design of financing instruments is key. This includes technical assistance for feasibility and proof of concepts for instruments as well as targeted capacity building sessions and development of knowledge products to facilitate uptake of innovative financial instruments for government aligned climate objectives.

In addition, the overall portfolio of UNDP’s work with state governments also includes support for strengthening government’s institutional and administrative frameworks to be able to better deliver integrated programming, promote mainstreaming of climate risk and SDG alignment in public budgets and investments of the private sector, and account transparently for climate related services, while also strengthening parliament and civil society’s advocacy and accountability roles. There is an increasing urgency to ensure that policies, frameworks, and strategies are responsive to the needs, priorities, and interests of all people, including women, the poor, youth, and minorities and those most vulnerable and that they participate in the governance of a climate change response, i.e., in all stages of policy formulation, programme implementation and processes.

A.    Main Purpose:

The Project Associate - Finance and Admin will be responsible for supporting the overall financial and administrative functions of the project, ensuring alignment with the Project Document, approved work plans, and UNDP guidelines and procedures for DIM projects.

The role will be housed within the SDG Acceleration and Finance Unit at the UNDP India Country Office. The Project Associate- Finance and Admin will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager- Sustainable and Blended Finance, and under the overall supervision of the Chief Advisor – SDGs. The Associate will be expected to work closely with the Advisor, Sustainable Finance.

B.    Duties and Responsibilities:

1.    Provide support in the project Financial Management and Compliance

• Monitor project budgets and expenditures to ensure alignment with approved work plans, financial guidelines, and donor (EU/UNDP) regulations.
• Support the preparation of financial forecasts, maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records, and ensure timely reconciliation of project expenses.
• Ensure timely reporting of project expenses.
• Assist in preparing and submitting financial reports, audit documentation, and donor deliverables in compliance with UNDP and EU requirements.
• Ensure robust internal controls and proper functioning of resource and financial management systems.
• Coordinate with UNDP finance and procurement teams to ensure smooth processing of transactions and adherence to established procedures.
• Liaise with implementing partners and vendors to communicate and follow up on administrative and financial requirements.

2.    Administrative and Operational Support

• Track project progress against the logical framework, identify implementation bottlenecks, and contribute to developing timely corrective actions.
• Consolidate project results and achievements for periodic reports (semi-annual/annual), ensuring alignment with targets set in the Annual Work Plan.
• Provide administrative and logistical support for project activities, including organizing meetings, workshops, and field visits.
• Facilitate procurement processes in accordance with UNDP rules, including preparation of documentation, vendor coordination, and compliance monitoring.
• Maintain accurate records and inventory of project assets, ensuring proper tagging, use, and disposal per established procedures.
• Carry out any additional duties as assigned by the supervisor or project manager to ensure smooth project implementation.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: Level 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: Level 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
• Learn Continuously: Level 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: Level 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
• Act with Determination: Level 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: Level 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Level 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Development    

• Results-based Management: Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
• Monitoring & Evaluation: Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Business Management    

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

Data    

• Data analysis: Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making

2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness    

• Effectiveness: Programmatic Risk Management and Analysis

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary Education with specialized certification in accounting and/or Finance. University degree in Finance or Accounting desirable. Part- qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage. (The degree must state that the major is in accounting or finance. Degrees in Business Administration or Public Administration are not considered equivalent.)”
• Fully Qualified Accountant, from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy or Full Completion of the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP). No UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) is required.
• Candidates with no professional accountancy qualifications, but with degrees that major in accountancy and/or finance must complete UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited. However, no UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) is required.
• Candidate with no professional accountancy qualifications but with relevant experience must successfully undertake UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) before shortlisting and must complete the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years (with Secondary education) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in finance/accounts and administrative field.

Required skills:

• Proven experience in financial reporting, documentation, budget & multi-donor funding management, and compliance with international financial regulations.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS will be an added advantage.
• Experience in financial management, especially in managing project budgets and monitoring expenditures and reporting.
• Experience in supporting activities in project implementation including procurement, recruitment or operations logistics.
• Experience in working with International Development Organizations/ Development Partners/ Government
• Excellent skill in using computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages
• Experience with web-based management systems and ERP financials, preferably Quantum (UNDP ERP provided by Oracle).
• Proven familiarity with UNDP financial regulations and donor compliance frameworks.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English and Hindi is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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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