Project Finance Analyst- IPSA 8

UNDP's policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP's Strategic Plan. BPPS's staff provides technical advice to Country Offices, advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. In addition, BPPS works closely with UNDP's Crisis Bureau (CB) to support emergency and crisis response. While ensuring that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP's development programmes, BPPS also assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results-based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working.  Lastly, BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.

In order to streamline its financial and investment engagement, UNDP launched the Sustainable Finance Hub, a finance and innovation platform, that draws on a critical mass of UNDP expertise, initiatives, and partnerships to support the mobilization and leveraging of resources for the SDGs and lead the implementation of the new UNDP private sector strategy and other initiatives. The Hub is an integral part of both the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA), as well as part of the GPN. The Hub serves as a connector, broker and global coordinator among internal and external actors; curates and manages UNDP’s catalogue of service offers on SDG financing to governments, investors and companies, via the COs, to significantly enhance the scale and impact of UNDP’s work.

Being a part of the Sustainable Finance Hub Project Management Support Team, the Project Finance Analyst will be responsible for supporting sound financial resources and budget management and effective partnership development through delivery of quality and timely support to all SFH projects. 

The Project Finance Analyst will analyse and interpret financial rules and regulations to provide solution on a spectrum of complex financial management issues. (S)he will provide accurate and timely financial information to guide project management and resource allocation decisions. (S)he will promote a collaborative, client-oriented approach, consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Supporting sound management of the SFH project budgets and financial resources:

• Preparing /processing various payments / invoices in Quantum and ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the supporting documents.
• Supporting sound resource management through budget management, resource allocation planning and expenditure control, consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
• Monitoring application of revenue in coordination with relevant UNDP teams (e.g. Treasury Department and Resources and Operations Management) and ensuring programming of funds into relevant budgets.
• Ensuring accurate General Management Support (GMS) fee and 1 % UN Coordination Levy set-up and collection, consistent with UNDP cost-recovery rules and regulations and mechanisms.
• Reviewing and analyzing budget implementation on an ongoing basis; initiating, preparing and processing budget revisions, as necessary.
• Monitoring project financial performance and undertaking necessary actions to address inconsistencies and discrepancies.
• Supporting ongoing reviews of project accounts, ensuring accuracy of various financial transactions (e.g. payments, adjustments, payroll and common charges, etc.) and sufficient funds for disbursement.
• Ensuring timely settlement of outstanding project obligations, clean-up of negative balances and reconciliation of RP advances.
• Supporting proper planning and completion of HACT quality assurance exercises.
• Preparing and verifying financial authorizations to/from other Business Units and facilitating proper budget allocations and funds transfer.
• Performing other relevant duties as may be required.

2. Supporting effective partnership development within and outside UN/UNDP and facilitating resource mobilization:

• Supporting SFH resource mobilization and partnership efforts through guiding SFH staff on related policies and procedures and participation in donor / partner negotiations.
• Preparing and reviewing donor contributions agreements and liaising with donor counterparts and relevant UNDP teams (e.g. the Legal Support Office, GPN Joint Directorate, OFRM and BPPS Operations) to obtain necessary clearances and signatures.
• Preparing and reviewing other partnership agreements (MoUs, Development Services Agreements, Responsible Party Agreements, Low Value Grants, etc.) and liaising with counterparts and relevant UNDP teams (e.g. the Legal Support Office, GPN Joint Directorate, BERA, OFRM and BPPS Operations) to obtain necessary clearances and signatures.
• Supporting timely reporting to donors and collaborating with relevant project staff to prepare necessary reports.
• Facilitating timely extensions and modifications of donor and partnership agreements as may be needed.
• Supporting the preparation of financial reports to donors, consistent with specific agreement requirements.
• Compiling, analyzing and presenting data on SFH resource mobilization efforts and results.
• Performing other relevant duties as may be required.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Finance Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the Project Management Specialist, Sustainable Finance Hub, and in close collaboration with the other SFH and BPPS team members.