Tiered Approach
In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
- Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
- Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
- Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
- Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to tackle the injustices of poverty, inequality, and climate change on a global scale. Working with our broad network of experts, host governments and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law.
Following the power shift in August 2021, the situation for the country remains largely uncertain and fragile, with approximately seventy percent of the population facing multifaceted vulnerabilities affecting their well-being, human security and long-term development while nearly a third of the population are estimated to be acutely food insecure. Over the recent years, international assistance has played a vital role in averting a socioeconomic collapse by providing lifesaving, resilience-building and livelihoods-sustaining assistance to millions of people, hundreds of critical healthcare and educational centres, and tens of thousands of small and medium enterprises, often owned and managed by women. Nevertheless, the humanitarian challenge in Afghanistan is one of the biggest in the world, and basic human needs and priorities remain extremely high. In 2024, 95 percent of households experienced at least one shock of an economic or natural disaster nature such as floods, droughts and others.
To help tackle the pressing challenges for enduring livelihoods and climate resilience, UNDP is designing fit-for-purpose portfolios of programs to create new livelihoods, income opportunities, basic services and to build resilience against climate-induced natural calamities that continue to haunt millions of households in the country.
Afghanistan remains one of the most gender-unequal countries in the world, with women facing systemic challenges hindering their access to education and employment opportunities in the public sector and restricting their participation in public life. UNDP remains committed to women's empowerment through capacity-building initiatives, livelihoods and self-employment/employment support, enhancing gender-responsive decision-making at community level, and supporting local communities to include women, in line with UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace, and Security).
Programme implementation is overseen by the Deputy Resident Representative for Programme with support from the Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU) which serves as the independent internal quality assurance mechanism separate from project design and implementation. The main priorities of this unit are to ensure quality programme design, effective Results Based Management, Programme coherence, appropriate application of social and environment safeguards, compliance with corporate policies and procedures throughout the programme cycle, and proper programme financial management. PMSU works in close collaboration with the country office Operations on efficiency and compliance related to delivery, finance and audits.
The Head of PMSU oversees a Programme Finance Team that is responsible for overall management of the programme-related financial resources, qualitative and quantitative performance analysis and monitoring, and fund management activities. It is the CO’s focal point for the implementation and compliance to Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT) framework and financial risk management. The Programme Finance Team contribute toward overall efficiency and effectiveness of UNDP Afghanistan through implementation of UNDP Financial Regulations and Rules, provision of quality and timely services to all projects and the Transitional Country Programme Strategy (TCPS), technical and financial advice to programme and operation teams, and staff capacity development. The Programme Finance Team comprises the Programme Finance Analyst and the Budget Analyst. The post of the Programme Finance Analyst falls under the Programme Management Support Unit.
This post will also support the REVIVE Project structure, under the overall guidance and supervision of the Head of PMSU and with matrix reporting to the REVIVE Project Management Specialist, the Programme Finance Analyst has overall responsibility for reviewing the status of implementation of programmes/projects, financial resources received, disbursed, and expected or already available. S/he also monitors projects to ensure the implementation of HACT in close collaboration with the programme/portfolio/project focal point on HACT. In addition, s/he monitors that projects have appropriate adequate budget for implementation of the projects, including the necessary cost recovery, in collaboration with the programme team, and provides the analysis of the CO-wide pipeline, programme delivery, cost-recovery any other data necessary to inform strategies with regards to the programme/portfolio and overall financial sustainability of the CO to maximize the CO performances in resources management. The Programme Finance Analyst promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
The Programme Finance Analyst works in close collaboration with the operations and programme/portfolio/project section of the CO as required for optimal project implementation. S/he will also support the country office in specific Quantum trainings for existing and new staff, either in projects, portfolio or at programme level.
Position Purpose
The Programme Finance Analyst directly underpins the CO high performance extending the reach and rigor of quality, ethical and client facing programme finance management practices to programme and operations support activities, including continuous team learning, and models an approach to support services characterized by technical excellence, pride in accountability and high regard by users and clients. S/he will work with the Budget Analyst entrusted with the budget management, and donor reporting, and contributions. The incumbent will approach work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude and display a strong client orientation. As such s/he will display flexibility in performing other emerging tasks and additional duties as required.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities
1.) Resource and Budget Management for effective project implementation in support of high priority projects
- Monitor overall delivery and implementation status of development projects through regular review of financial resources received, disbursed, and expected or already available.
- Prepare and review resources availability and budget management through timely budget revisions and proper planning of financial resources.
- Continuously analyze and monitor financial situation of the CO, present forecasts, and other analytical reports as required by the senior management.
- Implement the control mechanism for development projects through monitoring budgets preparation and modifications, budgetary status versus availability funds (ASL and/or cash); follow up with the respective programme team on the status of outstanding contributions.
- Preparation and modification of budget for UNDPs development projects, follow up with HQs on authorized spending limit (ASL) for development projects.
- Review and clear contribution agreements prior to signature; actively monitor that signed agreements are submitted to the Global Shared Service Centre (GSSC) upon signature.
- Monitor the receipt of contributions within the CO resource mobilization efforts; liaise with the GSSC Revenue Team as necessary.
2.) Ensure the accuracy, compliance, and effectiveness of all REVIVE project financial management, and operational support activities, while efficiently managing the project budget and organizing an optimal cost recovery system.
- Lead the full project lifecycle for the REVIVE project in Quantum, from development and implementation to successful execution, including diligent oversight and follow-up.
- Direct comprehensive project finances, including budgeting, resource planning, and control for both development and operational activities.
- Monitor financial performance and progress, preparing detailed reports to ensure transparency and accountability.
- Exercise proper control over all supporting documents for payments and financial reports, ensuring alignment with the approved Annual Work Plan (AWP).
- Prepare and process all types of vouchers and invoices in Quantum for the project, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Implement and maintain an effective internal expenditures control system to guarantee the validity, accuracy, and completeness of all transactions, including invoices, travel claims, and other entitlements.
- Monitor and implement timely corrective actions for financial data exceptions, such as unposted vouchers, budget check errors, and match exceptions in Quantum.
- Conduct continuous analysis and monitoring of the project's financial situation, preparing accurate forecasts and reports for the project.
3.) Oversight of cost sharing, trust fund agreements, and relevant financing agreements.
- Ensure that no project proposal is finalized without respective cost recovery (e.g., Delivery Enabling Services (DES)) budgeted for support services; guide and support the programme team in estimating the appropriate levels of cost recovery for development projects.
- Validate that the project budgets contain correct facilities and administrative (F&A) costs and DES prior finalization in the Quantum.
- Resolve issues related to budget exceptions and deficits, prepare periodic financial analysis reports.
- Oversee adherence to the budget override policy within the CO; responsible for clearing budget override requests for the senior management’s approval.
- Ensure systematic analysis of financial implementation of the projects.
- Ensure the integrity of financial and administrative operations as well as the consistent application of UNDP rules and procedures for programme and operations issues.
- Monitor and quality assure the Monthly Project Financial Period Review (project monthly reconciliation).
4.) Implementation and support to the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT)
- As the CO HACT Focal Point, play a key role in the roll out of HACT in consultation with senior management and relevant colleagues.
- Lead the coordination of HACT planning and preparation, monitor the implementation of the assurance plan, and recommend solutions to challenges in implementing HACT in close coordination with relevant units.
- Ensure compliance to corporate procedures during the partner selection and adhering to CO and corporate risk management policies, in close consultation with PMU, Integrated Risk Management unit, and senior management as appropriate.
- Ensure the timely implementation of HACT micro-assessments and assurance activities, with close monitoring of partner risk ratings and reassess the adjusted risk rating.
- Ensure fund disbursements to partners are conducted as per UNDP agreements and in compliance to HACT, through use of FACE form and ICE reporting.
- Support the preparation for the HACT audit in consultation with respective colleagues and follow up with projects on implementation of the HACT audit recommendations.
- Maintain and regularly update HACT compliance and completion status in corporate platforms, including Quantum+ and CARDS.
- Train programme/portfolio/project/operations staff as appropriate on HACT implementation.
- Organize and facilitate training for partners on the implementation of HACT and capacity development.
5.) Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO, focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Provides training for programme/portfolio/project personnel and counterparts on finance issues, including on Quantum/Quantum+, programme finance related SOPs.
- Prepare manuals, guidance, and tools to enhance programme finance assurance mechanisms.
- Advise programme/portfolio/project staff on programme finance matters.
- Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in programme/project finance.
- Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
- Contribute to the information channels for programme finance, including intranet sites, bulletins and other communication tools.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: None
Competencies
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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 & Customer Satisfaction/Client Management:
- Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs.
- Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns
Finance & 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
Finance & Accounting (General): Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, regulations, policies and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.
Finance & Budget Management: Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.
Finance & 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
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
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:
- Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience at the national and international level in providing financial management, accounting, operational systems and programme/project finance services is required.
- 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 (e.g. Quantum) and database packages is required.
- Advanced experience in handling of web-based management systems and ERP financials (Quantum), including the knowledge and experience of the application of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required.
- Experience of working with project staff and Responsible Parties offering financial advisory services including reporting and budgetary issues is desired.
- Experience of conducting capacity building to staff and Responsible Parties on Programme/Project Financial Management is desired.
- Experience in applying the UN Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) Framework is desired.
- Experience working in conflict or transition contexts is desired.
- Experience from previous UN/UNDP assignments and/or multilateral and bilateral aid organizations is desired.
- Experience working in a UNDP Direct Implementation Modality (DIM) context is desired.
- Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required.
Languagues:
- Fluency in English is required.
- Knowledge of another UN 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.
Use of AI by candidates
Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection
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