Job Description

Background

With the successful implementation of the already concluded EU-funded Project PROACTIVE—a camp transformation programme implemented in the six previously acknowledged camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Camp (MILF)--the UNDP Peace and Stabilization Programme Team, in close collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the Joint Peace Mechanisms, has designed a successor programme that builds on the lessons learned, and partnerships that were built. The new initiative is dubbed as European Union Support to Normalisation (EU4Normalisation) and will be implemented by UNDP through the generous co-funding from the European Union. Project EU4Normalisation will continue to contribute to efforts in enhancing local capacities to facilitate transition and transformation of the six previously acknowledged MILF camps. The project objectives are as follows: (1) EMPOWER key stakeholders, such as the peace mechanisms and camp focals, to lead inclusive, gender-responsive and conflict-sensitive implementation of the normalisation process. (2) TRANSFORM and sustain camps transformation initiatives by ensuring equal access to basic services and facilities. Building on lessons from PROACTIVE Project, this component will implement at least 18 small-scale, quick-impact projects as tangible peace dividends for 12 priority barangays in the MILF core areas identified by the JTFCT. (3) ENHANCE local conditions through the provision of GEDSI social services and livelihood support for DCs and their communities. This component aims to diversify income sources for the DCs and their communities through livelihood support identified through a series of participatory consultations

In this connection, UNDP is seeking to hire a Project Finance Analyst who is qualified to support the Project Manager and the Peace and Stabilization Programme Team in implementing the project activities of the EU-funded Project EU4Normalisation.The Project Finance Analyst will support the entire project and will be tasked to manage all financial activities and transactions, while ensuring high quality, accuracy, and consistency of work. The Project Finance Analyst is

expected to report daily to the Project Manager. The position holder is also expected to demonstrate a client-oriented approach, tact, and ability to work with people of different backgrounds. Moreover, the Project Finance Analyst shall work in close collaboration with PMU, technical specialists, consultants, government agencies, civil society, and other stakeholders to successfully implement the activities.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Team Leader of the Peace and Stabilization Programme Team and under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Finance Analyst will work in close coordination with the UNDP CO Operations Team and Finance Team and also coordinate with the Peace and Stabilization Programme Team personnel.

Under the guidance of the Team Leader of the Peace and Stabilization Programme Team and the Head of the UNDP Cotabato Office and under the direct supervision of the Project Manager of EU4Normalisation, the Project Finance Analyst will be responsible for the following tasks:

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

  • Full compliance with UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies, financial recording/ reporting system and implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a customer-oriented financial resources management system;
  • Continuously review the financial situation and support the project in the preparation of forecasts and periodic disbursement requests to be submitted to the donor;
  • Supports the development of funding requests, grant negotiations and amendments to the grant confirmations
  • Review and approve the funding authorization and expenditure certificate (FACE) from partners as and when required;
  • Facilitate annual audits; and
  • Regularly monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities and transactions and review anomalies or unusual transactions and inform the supervisor of the results of the review and the corrective actions being proposed.
  • Ensure that all financial transactions, reports, and supporting documentation are compliant
    with the requirements of the EU Contribution Agreement and UNDP’s Policies and Procedures.
  • Conduct quality assurance checks prior to the submission of financial reports to the EU, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and adherence to the donor’s reporting formats and standards.
  • Lead the preparation, formatting, and consolidation of donor financial reports, ensuring that all financial data is properly organized, verified, and supported with compliant documentation prior to submission
  • Prepare payment requests and ensure the timely processing of disbursements in line with
    UNDP’s POPP and donor requirements.
  • Coordinate with relevant UNDP units, implementing partners, and project teams to gather financial data and inputs required for budget preparation, expenditure monitoring, and donor reporting.
  • Serve as a full-time (100%) dedicated financial resource to the Action, ensuring continuous financial support throughout project implementation.
  • Work in close collaboration with the UNDP Country Office Finance Analyst, ensuring operational-level financial implementation aligns with the Country Office’s strategic financial oversight and quality assurance functions.

Ensure the management of Project budgets of the optimal cost recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Finalization of the financial sections of the update of the progress report and the disbursement request and preparation of quarterly and biannual forecasts of cash flows and annual cash flows;
  • Timely review and finalization of the improved financial report and other ad hoc financial reports as required by the project;
  • Timely preparation of program budget reviews and provision of justifications for budget reallocation / reprogramming requests;
  • Preparation and monitoring of budgets; regular analysis and reporting on budget approvals and delivery status;
  • Monitor and ensure that donor contributions are properly transferred to UNDP in a timely manner;
  • Ensure that advance payments and direct payments are properly reviewed and made in a timely manner, and ensure that payment information is correctly recorded in the Quantum system in a timely manner;
  • Ensures proper management of cash receipts and petty cash; and
  • Maintenance of the proper filing system for finance records and documents.

Ensures proper control of project accounts focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Ensure analysis and development of proposals for the internal expenditure control system ensuring that the supporting documents processed are matched and completed, that the transactions are correctly recorded and displayed in Quantum;
  • Monthly payment orders (MPOs), claims for reimbursement of travel expenses and other entitlements are properly processed and receipt of goods and services and provisioning are properly carried out in accordance with IPSAS and UNDP policies and procedures;
  • Timely corrective actions on unrecorded vouchers, including vouchers with budget verification errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers;
  • Timely response to requests from headquarters to resolve financial data issues;
  • Support in the development and implementation of asset and inventory management for the programme.

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

  • Timely review of resource balance to ensure availability of sufficient funds for implementation and appropriate disbursements;
  • Timely identification and registration of receipts for the income request;
  • Timely preparation of monthly cash flow forecasts for use by supervisor; and

Ensures capacity building and knowledge sharing on financial matters focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Capacity building of implementing partners on overall financial management;
  • Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
  • Any other duty assigned by the Project Manager.
     

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 Management

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

Finance

  • Financial planning and budgeting: Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analysing and reporting
  • Financial communication and impact: Understands how to clearly communicate sometimes complex financial information to others using easy-to-understand media and language

Digital & Innovation

  • Digital & Innovation: Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making

Procurement

  • Contract management: Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Applicants with an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Finance,Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration are not required to have professional work experience. OR
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
  • Candidates with professional accounting qualifications from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
  • Candidates with no professional accountancy qualifications, but with degrees that major in accountancy and/or finance must complete the Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited.
  • Candidates satisfying the two above criteria are exempted from undertaking the UNDP Advanced Accountancy and Finance Test (AAFT).
  • Candidates with MBA or Masters in finance with no accountancy qualification but with relevant experience must successfully undertake the UNDP Advanced Accountancy and Finance Test (AAFT) to be eligible for shortlisting.

Experience:

  • Applicants with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
  • Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in project management and coordination, preferably in peacebuilding and conflict prevention.

Desired Skills: 

  • Experience in accounting concepts, principles, regulations, and policies and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
  • Two years of relevant experience in providing financial, administrative and operations management services.
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages
  • Previous experience in implementing UN or UNDP financial rules, policies and procedures, is an asset.
  • Previous working experience in UNDP and other UN entities is an advantage
  • Experience in handling of web-based management systems and ERP financials, preferably Oracle cloud software (Quantum)

Required Languages: 

  • Fluency in English and Filipino is required
  • Knowledge of dialects in Mindanao is an advantage

Professional Certificates:

  • Those with a professional accounting qualification certificate from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy will have a
    distinct advantage 

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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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