Background

The UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji serves 10 countries (Federated States of Micronesia - FSM, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of Marshall Islands - RMI, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu). Focusing on implementing solutions to global and national development challenges under the leadership of the Resident Representative, the country office has three focus areas namely Effective Governance, Inclusive Growth and Resilience and Sustainable Development.

UNDP Joint Operations Centre provides daily operations support to all UNDP Programmes and Projects including the Resident Coordinators Office and other UN agencies. These supports include but are not limited to Administrative, Finance, Procurement and Human Resources. UNDP Pacific Office based in Suva regularly requires operations support to assist the office in operational and transactional tasks.

Therefore, UNDP is seeking qualified individuals to provide operational support to the UNDP Operations teams based in Suva. Under the overall guidance and supervision of the respective Finance Analyst, the Operations Finance Associate is expected to provide high-quality, accurate, and consistent operations support.

Duties and Responsibilities

a). Work with Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC) and process pay cycle for the office:-

• Compile EFT files after the pay-cycle is completed to be sent to Bank
• Print cheques and transfer to the bank for Telegraphic Transfer or disbursement to vendors.
• Correction of payment/EFTs if required to ensure correct transfer of funds.
• Liaison with Bank on any payment-related queries.
• Admin support including Bank run as required
• Work with Travel team to ensure DSAs are paid in time

b). Vendor Reconciliation and timely payment:

• Liaising with GSSU on any queries and ensuring that payments, APJVs, and GLJEs are made on time.
• Resolve any exceptions on the IFD relating to the finance area.
• Assis in clearing outstanding Local Purchase Orders

c). Continue on the operational team to:

• GLJEs, APJVs, and corrections
• Support to RCO and other non-Quantum agencies in payment processing
• Reconcile VAT open item account
• Assist in preparing/scanning finance files and documentation for audit 
• Work closely on the data cleaning 

d). VAT reconciliation:

• Compile monthly VAT returns 
• Follow up on queries (VAT) with FRCS and knowledge transfer

e). Reporting and Budgeting:

• Prepare financial analysis and reports as required
• Support with Budget revision in Quantum
• Assistance in Institutional Budgeting and reconciliation

f). Invoicing:

• Assist in preparing invoices for projects
• Assist in reconciliation of outstanding invoices

g.) Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO:

• Assist in organizing training for the operations/ projects staff on finance, audit and compliance matters, and implementation of Internal Control Framework (ICF). 
• Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in financial management. 
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

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 Direction & Strategy

• Effective Decision Making: Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.

Finance

• Audit risk management: Ability to address audit issues raised in the course of an audit and propose solutions in order to ensure a true and fair audit opinion is achieved
• Audit (General): Understands how regulations and professional standards in internal and external audit underpin audit work in the public services. Understands the key stages of audit work, including planning, documentation, testing and reporting. Ability to examine and verify accounts and records. Understands wider mechanisms for assurance and scrutiny. Understands the law and best practice relating to antibribery and corruption controls and the fraud risks faced by public bodies
• Accounting (General): Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks, standards, regulations, policies and trends, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
• Budget management: Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.

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 6 years (with secondary education) OR 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in finance and accounting experience is required.

Required Skills:

• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheets and web-based management systems such as ERP financials and database packages.
• Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS.

Desired Skills:

• Experience in working with and maintaining good relations with government counterparts and programme beneficiaries (e.g.Government, development partners, CSOs and private sector representatives).
• At least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in finance and accounting
•  Experience of working with UN or other regional/international organisations that involves donor funded setting.
• Prior experience in liaising with the banks including TT and EFT payments.
• Experience in budgeting, financial reporting, and analysis.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English and Itaukei or Fiji Hindi.

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.