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
With the extensive network of Country Offices, expertise in key development areas such as Poverty Eradication and Inclusive Growth, Good Governance, Environment and Climate Change, Crisis Prevention and Recovery, and Gender, as well as the integrator role for UN development assistance, UNDP has been partnering with Japan to support and enhance the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), initiated in 1993, as one of the key forums for the advancement of dialogue and collaboration on African development. UNDP, as one of the co- organizers of TICAD along with Japan, UN-Office of Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA), the World Bank and African Union Commission (AUC), has hosted a Special Unit for TICAD, which has been progressively integrated into the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA) with a view to enhancing integrated UNDP support for the TICAD process.
Since the first TICAD welcomed 1,000 participants in Tokyo in 1993, TICAD has steadily grown into a major global platform for African development. Most recently, TICAD 9 was held from 20 to 22 August 2025 in Yokohama, Japan. It welcomed 49 African countries to Japan, including 33 heads of state and government, as well as co-organizers, international organizations, the private sector and civil society. The forum resulted in the successful adoption of the TICAD 9 Yokohama Declaration 2025. The TICAD Unit within the Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA) is tasked with the follow-up of TICAD 9 commitments along with the TICAD co-organizers. Building upon priority areas for African development identified at TICAD 9, the TICAD Unit aims to intensify stakeholder outreach and engagement to advocate for fostering public-private partnerships and mobilizing resources for Africa to accelerate sustainable growth. In this regard, the incumbent will play a role in supporting the finance and administrative functions for the TICAD Unit in close collaboration with the Management Support Team and COST at the Regional Bureau for Africa.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the RBA TICAD Programme Advisor and under the direct supervision of the TICAD Programme Specialist, the TICAD Finance and Admin Associate will be responsible for operational support for TICAD unit through the following tasks:
a) Monitor and assist the efficient and timely management of financial resources, delivery and reporting requirements of Japan funded projects in Sub-Saharan Africa:
• Review and advise Japan-funded project formulation in Sub-Saharan Africa to ensure compliance with UNDP and Government of Japan (GoJ) requirements;
• Facilitate and monitor fund transfer and effective and efficient project delivery;
• Monitor and provide timely guidance on project revisions and no cost extensions where necessary. Provide technical guidance to ensure timely project operational/financial closure;
• Review and update regularly the report submission status of narrative and financial reports of UNDP’s Japan-funded projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, and alert stakeholders proactively to ensure full compliance;
• Monitor and analyze the financial status of Japan Funded UNDP projects in Sub-Saharan Africa and report to RBA stakeholders.
b) Contribute to the efficient and effective delivery and management of the TICAD Process Promotion Support Fund (TPPSF):
• Contribute to the timely preparation of TPPSF Annual Financial Report;
• Provide quality inputs to support preparation of budget in line with the annual work plan;
• Facilitate efficient delivery of TPPSF resources as per the annual work plan;
• Undertake speedy and accurate financial transactions, including budget revision, requisitions, vouchers, PO etc.;
• Constant monitoring of TPPSF financial resources to ensure its integrity.
c) Ensure efficient administrative support including travel arrangements:
• Coordination of travel arrangements, performing a Travel arranger and processor role in Quantum for preparation of POs for travel and other administrative expenses;
• Organization of workshops, conferences, retreats;
• Support with protocol matters, registration of staff, coordination of space and other administrative matters.
d) Provide support to procurement, supply, and assets management:
• Coordination of assets management in the Unit, timely preparation, and submission of periodic inventory reports;
• Coordination of the provision of reliable and quality office supplies;
• Provision of efficient general reception and information services.
e) Contribute to effective knowledge management:
• Together with the TICAD Programme Specialist, plan and organize capacity-building sessions of Japan funded project and operational staff on the effective management and delivery of Japan funded projects in Sub-Saharan Africa;
• Consolidate lessons learned and best practices in Japan-funded project management in RBA and disseminate to key stakeholders;
• Collaborate with the RBA and BERA communication teams and contribute to the planning and the execution of the communication plan to highlight key achievements of Japan-funded UNDP projects in Africa;
• 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 Organisation.
Institutional Arrangement
The TICAD Finance and Admin Associate will report to the TICAD Programme Specialist under the overall guidance of the RBA TICAD Programme Advisor. The incumbent will be given access to relevant information necessary for the execution of the tasks under this assignment.
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 a 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 the 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 — Operations Management: Ability to effectively plan, organise and oversee different parts of corporate operations, simultaneously and in an integrated way, in order to convert the organisation’s assets into the best results in the most efficient way. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.
Business management — Resource Management: Allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with business needs and priorities and principles of accountability and integrity.
Administration & Operations — ERP travel and expense module: Knowledge of the ERP Travel and Expense Module; ability to provide help desk support to UNDP and other UN agencies
Procurement — Procurement management: The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source
Finance — Budget management: Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets
Finance — 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, analysing and reporting
Finance — Financial reporting and analysis:
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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.
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Understands the benefits of integrated reporting, including non-financial resources such as human, social and intellectual capital, and environmental and governance performance.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Accounting and/or Finance is required, OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
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 the area of communications, public relations, advocacy, or a related area is required.
Desirable Criteria:
• Experience in providing financial management and oversight assistance
• Proven experience in effectively managing projects
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages
• Experience in handling web-based management systems and ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft
• Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS
• Experience in managing strategic partnerships with development partners
• Working experience with the UN
• Part-qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy.
Languages:
• Fluency in English is required;
• Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.
Professional Certificates:
• 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, UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) is not 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.
Use of AI by candidates
Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection
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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