Job Description

Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:

Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)   

Tier 2: Staff holding UNDP temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts and Expert and Specialist UNVs with host entity UNDP

Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.
In Pakistan, UNDP is working with the Government of Pakistan, civil society, national partners, and the people of Pakistan to help find solutions to persistent development challenges. Its work derives from and contributes to four outcome areas of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023-2027) which include: governance; sustainable, inclusive and green economic transformation; climate change resilience and environment; and gender equality and women’s empowerment. Supported by enablers, UNDP uses a portfolio approach in Pakistan, triangulating structural transformation, leaving no one behind, and building resilience.UNDP's country programme document for Pakistan envisions that all Pakistani people are educated and healthy, their well-being promoted and protected through economic opportunities, jobs and a climate-resilient future in a country where women and girls are safe and able to exercise their rights and to put their trust in and benefit from improved governance.

The Merged Areas Governance Programme (MAGP), under the Democratic Governance Unit, is a comprehensive governance initiative that focuses on technical assistance and implementation support to the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (GoKP) in three main areas: (1) accelerated development with an emphasis on the delivery of basic services; (2) border governance and connectivity; and (3) support to local governance. The Programme's overall objective is to enhance the capacity of the GoKP to successfully integrate the Merged Areas and strengthen border governance and cross-border connectivity by extending laws, policies, and strategies; planning, designing, and delivering development initiatives; and implementing inclusive local government systems. An emphasis is placed on inclusive development to ensure that marginalised population groups benefit from development in the MAs, as well as on disaster-risk reduction and improved risk management to help prevent, mitigate and/or address the effects of climate change and other risks.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Admin and Finance Associate works under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and guidance from the Democratic Governance Unit UNDP. He/she will be based in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Financial Management, Planning, and Budgeting

  • Manage the overall financial and administrative management of the Project, ensuring compliance with UNDP policies, donor agreements, and national regulations.
  • Maintain a complete set of books of accounts according to international accounting principles, ensuring daily updates and accuracy of supporting documentation.
  • Provide financial analysis and advice to the Project Manager and senior management to support evidence-based decision-making.
  • Monitor and reconcile project accounts, advances, and expenditures; ensure timely liquidation of advances and recommend corrective actions where necessary.
  • Prepare and certify all financial transactions, including vouchers, payments, and payroll, ensuring accuracy and adherence to financial controls.
  • Provide support and input for the development of annual and quarterly work plans and budgets, aligning resources with project priorities.
  • Verify and certify the Combined Delivery Report (CDR) and provide financial clearance for project expenditures.
  • Take part in the preparation and facilitation of annual audit exercises, prepare audit responses and follow-up action plans, and ensure timely implementation of recommendations.
  • Develop and maintain monthly shadow budgets and expenditure forecasts to track project delivery and proactively flag risks or funding gaps.
  • Advise on financial risk management strategies, including cost-saving measures, and ensure value-for-money in all project expenditures.

Operations, Contract Management, and Audit

  • Coordinate operations, procurement, HR, and administrative functions, ensuring effective service delivery and compliance.
  • Develop, manage, and monitor contracts with implementing partners (governmental, non-governmental, and community-based organizations) and service providers, ensuring timely delivery of results.
  • Ensure compliance with corporate and donor guidelines on procurement, human resources, sub-contracts, and financial management.
  • Take part in annual procurement and human resources plans in coordination with the Project team and ensure effective implementation.
  • Oversee the specification, procurement, and contracting processes for goods and services, ensuring competitive, transparent, and compliant procedures.
  • Manage and oversee asset and inventory control systems; ensure proper utilization, maintenance, and timely disposal of project assets.
  • Ensure annual physical verification of equipment and timely submission of verification reports.
  • Provide operational assistance during audits, donor reviews, and external evaluations; ensure timely submission of required documentation.
  • Ensure high-quality reporting and documentation for project operations, including procurement and contract management reports.

Leadership, Compliance, and Advisory Support

  • Serve as the primary focal point for financial and operational matters with UNDP Country Office, donors, and government counterparts.
  • Ensure effective internal control systems are in place to safeguard resources and prevent fraud or mismanagement.
  • Monitor compliance with donor agreements, project cooperation agreements, and corporate policies, advising management on risks and mitigation strategies.
  • Provide policy and procedural advice to the Project Manager and team to ensure alignment with UNDP operational and financial guidelines.
  • Support the Project Manager in donor reporting, ensuring that financial data is consistent, accurate, and aligned with programmatic achievements.
  • Contribute to knowledge sharing by documenting lessons learned in project operations, finance, and administration, and disseminating best practices.
    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:

Finance

  • Management and cost accounting: Ability to produce periodic qualitative and quantitative performance reports to facilitate effective decision-making and performance monitoring. Ability to use a range of costing techniques and analyze cost-related data to provide quantitative information to the users of reports.
  • 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, analyzing, and reporting

Procurement

  • Contract management: Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles, and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
  • Financial analysis: Knowledge of evaluating businesses, projects, budgets, and other finance-related transactions to determine their performance and suitability
  • Sourcing: Ability to find, evaluate, and engage suppliers of goods and services

Business Management

  • Operations Management: Ability to efficiently plan, organize, and oversee the organization's business processes to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms
     

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.
  • CIPS level 3 is highly desirable for this position and candidates holding this level at the time of application will have a distinct advantage. If the desired certification is not available at the time of recruitment, it should be obtained within one year of recruitment. Candidates holding a CIPS certification at any level below at the time of application will have a proportionate advantage.
     

Experience:

  • Minimum of 7 years (with secondary education) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of demonstrated related experience in UN or in similar development projects or international organizations.

Required Skills:

  • Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

Desired Skills:

  • Experience in financial accounting, including auditing and reporting, as well as exposure to administration of projects.
  • Demonstrated experience in financial planning, budgeting, managing procurement contracts, and inventory.
  • Experience of working with UN System or international organizations.
  • Experience of working with donors/ international development
    partners and government operational processes and procedures.

Required Languages:

  • Fluency in Urdu and English 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.

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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