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

More than half of all livelihoods in India is primarily dependent on agriculture. A massive 54.6% of the total workforce is engaged in agricultural and allied sector activities, and 57% of the rural households are directly dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods. However, the agricultural sector is facing various challenges like small landholding, declining productivity, rising input costs, declining farm income, the adverse impact of climate change, and decline in the percentage share of workers engaged in the agriculture sector. Agricultural production shocks have huge social and financial repercussions, impacting rural income levels, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and poverty rates.

The Government of India’s flagship schemes Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and KCC/MISS have become important tools to strengthen the resilience of Indian farmers. The schemes ensure maximum benefits for the farmers by providing financial risk protection against natural calamities and catastrophic events including pests, climate uncertainties, and environmental shocks. Apart from providing comprehensive risk coverage for the entire crop cycle, PMFBY also enables direct claim transfer into farmers’ accounts through e- remittance. Additionally, to address agrarian distress, Kisan Credit Card/ Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) was introduced by the Government of India to provide cheap and hassle-free credit for millions of farmers and to ensure continued investment into agriculture to bring in mechanisation, modernise agriculture practices and eventually enhance productivity.

UNDP’s Country Programme Document (2023-2027) intended outcome 2 states that “By 2027, people will benefit from and contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth through higher productivity, competitiveness and diversification in economic activities that create decent work, livelihoods, and income particularly for youth and women”. UNDP leverages its expertise in systems strengthening to support the Ministry of Agriculture through setting up of Central Program Management Unit (CPMU) for the implementation of PMFBY and KCC, to improve institutional and programme responsiveness, increase coverage and better access among marginalised and excluded farm households, offering innovative measures and support mechanisms for Agri- value chain financing, risk management and reduced crop loss for the rural population in India. The PMU will also focus on providing Capacity Building and Training support to participating state-level government departments involved in PMFBY and KCC and advancing the scheme among new states for improved uptake.

The Finance Analyst - Technical Support Unit will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the National Programme Coordinator. S/He will ensure engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DoA&FW), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare (MoA&FW) when needed.

Reporting To: Project Accounting & Financial Management Officer.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Financial Reporting Support

• Assist the Senior Finance Officer in preparing and submitting financial reports to the Government of India, UNDP, and other relevant agencies.
• Ensure accuracy, completeness, and timely submission of all financial documentation as per prescribed guidelines.

Annual Work Plan Preparation

• Support in the preparation of the annual work plan for the Project management Unit (PMU).
• Regularly update the work plan based on project priorities, progress, and guidance from senior management.

Audit Report Collection and Compilation

• Collect, verify, and compile annual audit reports from States and implementing agencies.
• Submit the consolidated reports to the Financial Management Specialist for review, analysis, and further processing.

Coordination with Crop Insurance and Database Teams

• Work closely with the Crop Insurance Portfolio team and the database management team.
• Assist in maintaining and updating the premium subsidy database to ensure accuracy and alignment with project requirements.

Support in Capacity Building and Training

• Assist in planning, coordinating, and organizing capacity-building initiatives and training programmes.
• Facilitate logistical arrangements and provide necessary financial or administrative support.

Project Accounts Management

• Support the Senior Finance Officer in maintaining and managing project accounts throughout the project implementation cycle.
• Ensure adherence to financial rules, guidelines, and reporting standards.

Preparation of Financial Statements

• Assist in the preparation and finalization of the programme’s financial statements.
• Help ensure compliance with UNDP and Government financial reporting requirements.
• Coordination with Government and Partners
• Liaise with relevant government departments, State counterparts, and project partners to ensure smooth coordination of project activities and financial inputs.

Coordination with UNDP Country Office

• Work closely with the UNDP Country Office Finance Unit to ensure timely processing of project-related payments.
• Follow up on financial transactions and maintain proper documentation.

Technical Support for Training Inputs

• Provide technical inputs and backstopping support for training materials and capacity-building activities conducted under the project.

Support in Progress Reporting

• Provide timely financial inputs and updates required for progress reports submitted to UNDP and the Ministry of Agriculture.
• Ensure alignment of financial progress with technical and operational updates.

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 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and
• support their learning
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion:  LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

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   
• Finance business partnering - Able to support business units and add value by innovating and providing solutions to financial issues/queries, including through FAQs, financial tools, advisory, etc. Influences and appropriately challenges non-finance colleagues for whom the service is being provided. Understands the operations, opportunities and challenges of the organization. Holds a commercial outlook, demonstrating accountability towards organizational goals.         
• Financial reporting and analysis - Understands changes in regulatory, legal and ethical frameworks and standards for financial reporting in the public sector. Ability to extract, evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful and coherent manner to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring. Understands the benefits of integrated reporting, including non-financial resources such as human, social and intellectual capital, and environmental and governance performance         
• Financial risk management - Ensures financial resilience through proactive assessment of risk, implementation of controls and taking mitigating action. Understands risk and reward in relation to collaborative and commercial projects. Ensures a culture of positive risk management"    

Business management          

• Partnerships Management - Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies     
• 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.   
• Project Management - Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.       

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• A professional accounting qualification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy, and/or Advanced (Master´s) University Degree in Finance and/or Accounting is required. 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 master's 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 Advance knowledge of Accountancy and finance.

Desired skills 

• Experience in accounting and financial management, with the ability to perform assigned tasks under guidance and supervision;
• Experience in the legal and regulatory environment in the insurance sector;
• Experience coordinating and interacting with a range of stakeholders, including insurance agencies, regulators, and state- level agencies, under supervision.

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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