Background
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the global development network of the United Nations system that is on the ground in over 140 countries, with its Headquarters in New York, USA. The Bureau for Management Services (BMS) is a central Bureau tasked with the development of corporate strategies, policies, tools and systems in key cross-cutting management areas. Drawing on sound analytics and a risk-management approach, BMS supports the achievement of development results through management advice, innovative business solutions, and other corporate services in line with international best practices and evolving needs and expectations of development partners. BMS also ensures policy adherence in operations management within UN Rules & Regulations, safeguarding UNDP’s accountability vis-à-vis Member States and other stakeholders. The Office of Financial Management (OFM) performs a pivotal role within BMS and within UNDP’s global finance function, partnering with Bureaux and Country Offices (COs). The primary role of OFM is to maintain the financial integrity of UNDP through providing financial leadership, supporting the efficient and effective management of its financial resources, promoting financial sustainability and responsible resource allocation in the context of a fluctuating funding environment. This is accomplished by the development and implementation of sound financial policies and practices, oversight of corporate financial management performance, and flexible scalable support to resource allocation. OFM is a key source of information for the Executive Board, General Assembly, to Partners and wider civil society. It supports transparency through the provision of on time and quality statutory and other financial reports that comply with international standards and regulatory guidelines. The Finance Business Partnering/Business Advisors team (FBP/BA) is the point of contact for client facing offices in providing advice, guidance, and related services on complex financial issues, those relating to the financial aspects of project and programme management. The services provided include policy advice, financial management training, internal controls, financial planning support, report and query management, and programme resources management. The FBP/BA unit also plays a role in monitoring the financial performance of the Bureaux and offices in support of OFM's responsibilities for corporate oversight. In so doing, develops constructive relationships with clients to understand the reasons for strong/weak performance and develops strategies, in close consultation with the regional bureaux to help them improve. Reporting to the head of FBP/BA, the services of Business Partnering consultant being sought to undertake specific functional and technical work on financial management related activities through the achievement of the deliverables specified under ‘Expected Output and Deliverables’ section. These deliverables span across the work of the FBP/BA unit and cover, amongst others, key corporate initiatives such as the implementation of Quantum, UNDP’s the NextGen ERP system (Oracle Cloud). The transition to Quantum will take place during Q1 & Q2 of 2022 with the full cut over to Quantum from the current PeopleSoft (Atlas) system taking place in July 2022.
The Office of Financial Management (OFM), Bureau of Management, supports the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the promotion of its sustainable human development agenda. It achieves this by developing and making fully operational a dynamic and harmonized integrated resource management framework based on comprehensive analysis that enhances UNDP’s financial and administrative performance, as well as facilitates UN reform and coherence. To these ends, the framework addresses strategically critical financial resource planning and management issues, including results based budgeting; the integration of the Programming Arrangements and the Institutional Budget within the context of the integrated budget; enhanced cost classification and cost recovery; capital budgeting; adherence to IPSAS; foreign exchange and investment activities; corporate reporting of organizational assets; performance management tools and initiatives; and support to UN harmonization.
Effective and efficient integrated resources management is enabled through a continuous and robust process comprising:
Formulation and implementation of corporate financial and administrative strategies, policies and procedures;
Formulation, alignment, documentation and implementation of UNDP’s funding frameworks, assuring their integrity, viability and alignment with the Strategic Plan;
Provision of policy guidance, advisory services and operational support to strengthen client capacities and help them achieve results, seeking to build consensus within UNDP and with key stakeholders on critical budgetary related matters requiring Executive Board legislation;
- Administration of the organization’s internal control framework, overseeing and monitoring financial management of all global UNDP offices, including through formulation/implementation of resource planning, management and oversight tools and reports;
Promoting clear accountability for financial transactions and producing financial statements, including financial reporting to donors and the UNDP Executive Board.
Providing corporate reporting guidance to ensure that fixed assets are adequately recorded in all locations.
OFM’s Finance Business Advisors promotes timely and accurate planning, allocation, monitoring and oversight of resources through providing advisory services to corporate clients which include promoting best practices and provision of financial analyses.
Reporting to the Financial Resources Manager, the Individual Contractor will support OFM Finance Business Advisors who are the first point of contacts for Regional Bureau, Central Bureaux, COs and HQ Units seeking advisory services and operational support as well as support OFM in monitoring resources and data quality.
Duties and Responsibilities
Expected outputs and deliverables:
Output description | Projected completion date | Projected no of working days | Review and approval | % of payment |
Output 1.1 Bi-monthly progress reports to COs and Management regarding the data preparedness status of COs in implementing the Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Data Conversion/Migration Plan; | 30-Apr-22 | 21 days | FBA Manager | 16% |
Output 1.2 Respond to CO queries regarding the solution(s) to data preparedness issues; | ||||
Output 1.3 System Integration testing and User Acceptance testing | ||||
Output 1.4 General Ledger clean-up as per Finance Data Plan | ||||
Output 2.1 Issuance of Quarterly Financial Management Reports to COs for Q1 2022 | 31-May-22 | 22 days | FBA Manager | 17% |
Output 2.2 System Integration testing and User Acceptance testing | ||||
Output 2.3 General Ledger clean-up as per Finance Data Plan | ||||
Output 3.1 Take corrective action for fund 11888 and associated accounts | 30-Jun-22 | 21 days | FBA Manager | 16% |
Output 3.2 Respond to CO queries regarding the solution(s) to data preparedness issues; | ||||
Output 3.3 System Integration testing and User Acceptance testing | ||||
Output 3.4 General Ledger clean-up as per Finance Data Plan | ||||
Output 4.1 General Ledger clean-up as per Finance Data Plan | 30-Jul-22 | 21 days | FBA Manager | 16% |
Output 4.2 Review and analyze accounts as assigned, e.g. account 16065 (prepayment) | ||||
Output 4.3 Provide financial analysis to regional Bureaus/COs/HQ units including account certifications and validation | ||||
Output 5.1 Respond to CO queries regarding the solution(s) to account 16005 | 31-Aug-22 | 23 days | FBA Manager | 17% |
Output 5.2 Validation and follow-up related to the new ERP data analysis | ||||
Output 5.3 Issuance of Quarterly Financial Management Reports to COs for Q2 2022 | ||||
Output 6.1 General Ledger clean-up as per Finance Data Plan | 30-Sep-22 | 22 days | FBA Manager | 17% |
Output 6.2 Validation and follow-up related to the new ERP data analysis | ||||
Output 6.3 Provide financial analysis to regional Bureaus/COs/HQ units including account certifications and validation | ||||
Total | 132 | 100% |
Competencies
Sensitivity to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age differences.
Demonstrated ability to provide guidance and oversight in financial and administrative management.
Proven skills and ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, draw conclusions, and recommend solutions.
Ability to assess risks and correctly analyze the likelihood of them occurring and prioritize any necessary action to the risks with the largest business impact.
Strong financial management skills.
Knowledge of the financial frameworks, programme policies & procedures of UNDP and/or UN entities.
Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate in an effective manner
Analytical capabilities combined with strong interpersonal and written communication skills
Required Skills and Experience
Academic qualifications:
Secondary Education with specialized certification in accounting and/or Finance. University Degree in Finance, Business or Public Administration desirable, but it is not a requirement.
Part-qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
Experience:
Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in finance/accounting.
Auditing and/or strong understanding of internal control as applied to financial activities;
Relevance of experience in large-scale ERP implementation projects including data conversion, experience with Oracle ERP, experience with Peoplesoft and/or Oracle Cloud ERP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.
Language:
Fluency in English. Excellent written, presentation and oral communication skills in English;
Working knowledge of another UN language would be an asset, particularly Spanish or French
Application Procedure
The application package containing the following (to be uploaded as one file):
A cover letter with a brief description of why the Offer considers her/himself the most suitable for the assignment.
Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects and specifying the relevant assignment period (from/to), as well as the email and telephone contacts of at least three (3) professional references.
Note: The above documents need to be scanned in one file and uploaded to the online application as one document.
Shortlisted candidates (ONLY) will be requested to submit a Financial Proposal.
- The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around the specific and measurable deliverables of the TOR. Payments are based upon output, i.e., upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR, and deliverables accepted and certified by the technical manager
The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around the specific and measurable deliverables of the TOR. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR, and deliverables accepted and certified by the technical manager.
- The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract, including: the daily professional fee; (excluding mission travel); living allowances at the duty station; communications, utilities and consumables; life, health and any other insurance; risks and inconveniences related to work under hardship and hazardous conditions (e.g., personal security needs, etc.), when applicable; and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract.
- In the case of unforeseeable travel requested by UNDP, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.
If the Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.
The Financial Proposal is to be emailed as per the instruction in the separate email that will be sent to shortlisted candidates.
Evaluation process
Applicants are reviewed based on Required Skills and Experience stated above and based on the technical evaluation criteria outlined below. Applicants will be evaluated based on cumulative scoring. When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
- Being responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
- Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation where technical criteria weigh 70% and Financial criteria/ Proposal weighs 30%.
Technical evaluation - Total 70% (70 points):
Criteria 1. 7 years of relevance and progressive professional experience in providing financial advisory services, business partnering, financial analysis and reporting (minimum 7 years); Maximum Points: 20
Criteria 2. 5 years of relevance of experience in large-scale ERP implementation projects including data conversion, experience with Oracle ERP, experience with Peoplesoft and/or Oracle Cloud ERP; Maximum Points: 20
Criteria 3. Relevant of experience with UN Finance, Maximum Points: 20.
Criteria 4. Demonstrated Analytical skill combined with strong written and communication skills. (Candidates need to demonstrate in their CV/P11 previous experience on the analytical skills such as financial issues and their resolution, bank reconciliations, or reporting issues, etc.). Maximum Points: 10.
Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (70 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.
Financial evaluation - Total 30% (30 points)
The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:
p = y (µ/z), where
p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated
y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal
µ = price of the lowest priced proposal
z = price of the proposal being evaluated
Contract Award
Candidate obtaining the highest combined scores in the combined score of Technical and Financial evaluation will be considered technically qualified and will be offered to enter into contract with UNDP.
Institutional arrangement
The consultant will work under the guidance and direct supervision of Amat O. Kebbeh and will be responsible for the fulfilment of the deliverables as specified above.
Payment modality
Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified above and deliverables accepted and upon certification of satisfactory completion by the manager.
Annexes (click on the hyperlink to access the documents):
Annex 1 - UNDP P-11 Form for ICs
Annex 2 - IC Contract Template
Annex 3 – IC General Terms and Conditions
Annex 4 – RLA Template
Any request for clarification must be sent by email to cpu.bids@undp.org
The UNDP Central Procurement Unit will respond by email and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all applicants.
The work week will be based on 35 hours, i.e. on a 7 hour working day, with core hours being between 9h00 and 18h00 daily.
Click here for important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders).Output description
Projected completion date
Projected no of working days
Review and approval
% of payment
Output 1.1 Bi-monthly progress reports to COs and Management regarding the data preparedness status of COs in implementing the Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Data Conversion/Migration Plan;
30-Apr-22
21 days
FBA Manager
16%
Output 1.2 Respond to CO queries regarding the solution(s) to data preparedness issues;
Output 1.3 System Integration testing and User Acceptance testing
Output 1.4 General Ledger clean-up as per Finance Data Plan
Output 2.1 Issuance of Quarterly Financial Management Reports to COs for Q1 2022
31-May-22
22 days
FBA Manager
17%
Output 2.2 System Integration testing and User Acceptance testing
Output 2.3 General Ledger clean-up as per Finance Data Plan
Output 3.1 Take corrective action for fund 11888 and associated accounts
30-Jun-22
21 days
FBA Manager
16%
Output 3.2 Respond to CO queries regarding the solution(s) to data preparedness issues;
Output 3.3 System Integration testing and User Acceptance testing
Output 3.4 General Ledger clean-up as per Finance Data Plan
Output 4.1 General Ledger clean-up as per Finance Data Plan
30-Jul-22
21 days
FBA Manager
16%
Output 4.2 Review and analyze accounts as assigned, e.g. account 16065 (prepayment)
Output 4.3 Provide financial analysis to regional Bureaus/COs/HQ units including account certifications and validation
Output 5.1 Respond to CO queries regarding the solution(s) to account 16005
31-Aug-22
23 days
FBA Manager
17%
Output 5.2 Validation and follow-up related to the new ERP data analysis
Output 5.3 Issuance of Quarterly Financial Management Reports to COs for Q2 2022
Output 6.1 General Ledger clean-up as per Finance Data Plan
30-Sep-22
22 days
FBA Manager
17%
Output 6.2 Validation and follow-up related to the new ERP data analysis
Output 6.3 Provide financial analysis to regional Bureaus/COs/HQ units including account certifications and validation
Total
132
100%