Background

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships: 

The position is located in the Crisis Response Division (CRD), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions.

This temporary job opening is being advertised for the position of Associate Finance Officer and is located in Bogotá, Colombia. Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office, the incumbent reports to the Head of Humanitarian Financing Unit/Envelope Manager, OCHA Colombia.

The Humanitarian Fund Units in OCHA Regional and Country Offices manage multi-donor country-based pooled funds under the leadership of the Humanitarian Coordinator.

These funds receive unearmarked contributions from donors. The funds are allocated to humanitarian actors for ongoing humanitarian operations and to respond to new emergencies. 

Responsibilities: Within delegated authority, the Finance Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Ensures Implementation and contributes to development of financial and Project management strategies, and adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results: 

  • Develop and maintain country SOPs regarding administrative and financial workflows of HF in all countries covered by the Humanitarian Financing Unit (HFU). 

  • Ensure financial revision of project applications and project budgets for quality control and compliance to the HF guidelines (including budgetary procedures in line with HF budget review criteria). 

  • Provide guidance on Humanitarian Financing and administrative procedures and guidelines to partners on applications to clarify requirements for accessing grants. 

  • Conduct market cost survey for items commonly purchased under Humanitarian Financing projects. 

2. Ensures the Projects’ financial management of Projects focusing on achievement of the following result: 

  • Review project budgets to determine “normal costs and variations” in project expenditure areas to be determined. 

  • Review requests for project amendments and revisions of projects and provide recommendations to the Head of Humanitarian Financing Unit/Envelope Manager particular in budgetary aspects.

3. Ensures proper Control of accounts and Humanitarian Financing reports focusing on achievement of the following results: 

  • Track, collect and review final financial reports from relevant recipient organizations to ensure accuracy and compliance with Humanitarian Financing guidelines and provide feedback to partners. 

  • Liaise with auditors for project audits; review audit reports, communicate audit findings to partners, ensure that comments on the draft audit reports are satisfactorily addressed by implementing partners; finalize final disbursements or requests for refunds; and facilitate project close-out in close coordination with the Head of Humanitarian Financing Unit/Envelope Manager and the OCHA Administrative Services Branch at the HQ level. 

  • Develop, maintain, and update a database to support cost effectiveness analysis of Humanitarian Financing project proposals. 

  • Prepare and update numerical and narrative reports detailing Humanitarian Financing performance. 

  • Reconcile and coordinate HQ-level records and the Fund’s field records (on project performance and financial data/information) to produce reports and updates. 

4. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in Humanitarian Financing and support to all stakeholders on financial matters focusing on achievement of the following results: 

  • Support monitoring and evaluation visits to project sites 

  • Conduct Financial and administrative partner visits as per SOP and Humanitarian Financing Guidelines 

  • Maintain all related files updated and share information with colleagues. 

  • Perform other duties as required by the Head of Humanitarian Financing Unit/ Envelope Manager and the Head of Office.

Competencies:

  • PROFESSIONALISM:  Knowledge and understanding of humanitarian, emergency relief assistance and related humanitarian issues. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to develop sources for data collection.  Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases.  Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, work under pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g., civil strife, natural disasters, and human misery). Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
  • COMMUNICATION:  Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
  • TEAMWORK:  Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
  • PLANNING and ORGANIZING:  Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
  • CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
  • CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
  • COMMITMENT to CONTINUOUS LEARNING: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.
  • TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Qualifications:

Education:     

  • Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in project management, development studies, international relations, public administration, economics, accounting or a related field is required. A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: 

  • A minimum of 2 years (or 4 years if graduated with a first-level university degree) of experience in areas of grant and/or programme management, humanitarian affairs, humanitarian emergencies, donor relations, monitoring and evaluation, communication and reporting, budget management and/or administration-financing is required.
  • Experience in humanitarian financing, e.g., grant management, fundraising, and donor relations for humanitarian programmes is required.
  • Experience in handling of web-based management systems and ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft is desirable.
  • Experience in humanitarian assistance is desirable.
  • Experience with a UN agency and an international NGO is desirable.

Language:   

  • For the position advertised, fluency in Spanish and English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

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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