Financial Management Capacity Assessment (FMCA) Specialist , Multiple positions

UNOPS 

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

AUMCO WEC 

AUMCO WEC is also providing advisory services for Financial Management Capacity Assessments (FMCA) of grant recipients/implementing partners for several of its projects, including the UNOPS support to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the NDC Partnership, among others. UNOPS is responsible for undertaking the assessment of grant recipients/implementing partners in accordance with clearly identified fiduciary principles and standards. Findings and recommendations based on established assessment criteria are made available to partners and project managers. Successful candidates will  conduct the FMCA assessments, including the preliminary screening of key documents, of grant recipients/implementing partners and submit to xxx the recommendations  for final quality assurance prior to submission to the partners and project managers. In addition, they will lead on regular reviews of templates and processes to ensure fit for purpose, efficiency and due diligence.   

The FMCA Specialist will be responsible for the remote review of grant recipients/implementing partners through a detailed analysis of clearly defined documentation reflecting the organisational management capacity of the submitting grant recipient/implementing partner. The submitted documentation includes a Self-Assessment questionnaire as well as the review of defined  supporting institutional documents and may be amended as deemed necessary. The FMCA Specialistwill be responsible to coordinate with grant recipients/implementing partners concerning the completeness of the submitted documentation. He/She will review organizational Self-Assessments, and, based on the outcome develop a  comprehensive FMCA report per grant recipient/implementing partner.  The FMCA Specialist will be responsible to keep information about the status of individual reviews updated and available, ensure the timely submission of FMCA Draft Reports for Quality Assurance (QA) as well as conduct presentations of findings and responses to questions from partners and project managers, as may be required.

The position is a home based retainer position and requires the FMCA Specialist to undertake the required grant recipient/implementing partner reviews on an ad hoc basis, in line with the request for services by partners and project manager, and in line with the pre-approved work plan with the supervisor.

The FMCA Specialist is responsible to ensure the provision of high quality FMCA review and report services.  Specifically, the FMCA Specialist has the following key responsibilities: 

• Review for completeness of submitted self assessment questionnaire and supporting documentation;

• Provide guidance to grant recipients/implementing partners on required information;

• Recommend additional information to be provided by grant recipient/implementing partner as required;

• Review and analyse submitted documentation, relate findings to risk categorization indicators; 

• Identify gaps and/or risks in the grant recipients/implementing partners’ capacity, including submitted policy and procedural frameworks; 

• Draft FMCA Report for Quality Assurance by appropriate instances;

• Follow up with stakeholders re;ated to the FMCA, as necessary;

• Coordination timelines for assigned work;

• Participate in meetings and review groups, as required; 

• Lead on regular reviews of templates and processes and make concrete recommendations for improvements to ensure fit for purpose, efficiency and due diligence of the FMCA services 

Procedures

• Maintain a document shared drive in line with UNOPS policies and procedures

• Ensure adherence to UNOPS PM policies and procedures as apply to the FMCA component, including maintenance of risk and issue logs, ensure relevant lessons are recorded and shared, prepare reports and plans as needed, and other as required

• Adhere to UNOPS AUMCO Programme and Operational guidance, as per established SoPs, Instructions, and other

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Finance, Economics or related field.
• A Bachelor degree in the above-mentioned areas may be considered provided the candidate can justify two (2) additional years of experience.
• Professional certifications in project /grants management (such as Prince 2) are an asset.
• Financial Management, Certified Auditor, Certified Public Accounting (CPA) are an asset.

A minimum of five years of progressive experience working in a financial role. Within the 5 years, at least 2 cumulative years is required in one or more of the following domains:

• Grants Management, including planning of activities/deliverables 

• Drafting of agreements and other administrative documents 

• Financial Management and Reporting

• Use of Reporting and financial systems 

Desirable experience:

• Audit and/or Financial Management Assessments

• Capacity Assessment of organizations 

• Organisational Maturity and/or Financial Capacity Assessment 

• Budget Management

c. Languages
Fluency in English is required for this position. 

Proficiency in another UN language or language spoken in a country of implementation of the portfolio’s activities is an advantage.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.