Background

As part of strengthening democratic governance in Afghanistan, UNDP is developing the capacity of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) to organize democratic elections in Afghanistan. UNDP is managing a multi-donor (22 donors) funded programme, (ELECT), which has most recently supported the voter registration process and organized Presidential and Provincial Council elections on 20 August 2009. The ELECT Project is expected to support the IEC in organizing the parliament election in 2010 and continue long-term assistance for capacity building of the IEC beyond 2010. UNDP support is in accordance with the Security Council Resolution 1806 (2008).  

The IEC took over the full mandate of all electoral activities in the country supported by the international community through an extended transition phase from November 2005 to 20 October, 2006. To support the IEC in carrying out the activities needed and to scale up its ability to fulfill its mandate in a sustainable manner the project "Enhancing Legal and Electoral Capacity for Tomorrow" (ELECT) was designed and launched on 14 November 2006.  

The August 20 Presidential and Provincial elections were always destined to be historic; because they would be the first ever elections in Afghanistan organized and executed by an Afghan Independent Electoral Commission.  

UNDP assistance through ELECT is closely coordinated with UNAMA, UN DPKO and UNDP Headquarters. The ELECT Project in its current version is up to 31st December 2010 and its mandate also includes supporting the IEC in conduct of 2010 parliamentary election and laying the foundation for long term support to electoral process in the country. The total budget of ELECT project is $224million for Presidential and Provincial Councils elections and will be increased for 2010 election.  

Note: 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 education requirements. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Chief of Operations - ELECT, and close guidance of the Project Manager – PMU - ELECT, the IEC Finance/Administration Specialist (IEC-ELECT) is responsible for duties including:  

·          Advises on the planning, coordination, and functioning of the Administration/Finance Department of the IEC; 

·          Advises on the planning and supervision of the development of systems and procedures for the efficient functioning of administration covering the areas of general administration, finance and accounts, personnel and procurement; 

·          In coordination with the Deputy CEO, head of the Admin/Finance Unit, and other IEC departments develops administration and finance policies and processes; 

·          Assists the Head of the Administration and Finance Department of the IEC to ensure that all IEC staff, HQ, regional and provincial offices are aware of and carry out their activities according to IEC administrative systems and procedures and in line with IEC and UNDP policy; 

·          Liaises and coordinates with UNDP ELECT and Country Office on IEC administration and finance policy and process compliancy; 

·          Manages a team of three international advisors and one national advisor; 

·          Develops systems and procedures which ensure timely and efficient communication between HQ, regional and provincial offices on administrative and financial matters; 

·          Assists in the development and management of the overall finances and accounts; 

·          Advises and monitors all activity within the budget/finance and audit sections of the IEC; 

·          Advises on the development of accounting and financial systems which will accurately and efficiently track and account for all income and expenditure of the IEC at HQ; 

·          Prepares, analyses, maintains and reviews various financial statements, reports and records; 

·          Oversees any organizations or individuals contracted by UNDP to support the IEC admin/finance unit; 

·          Carries out any other tasks at the request of the UNDP ELECT Chief of Operations. 

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:  

·          Demonstrates integrity by modeling the  UN’s values and ethical standards; 

·          Promotes the mission, vision and strategic goals of UNDP; 

·          Displays cultural , gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; 

·          Treats all people fairly without favoritism.  

Functional Competencies:  

Knowledge, Management and Learning  

·          Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example; 

·          Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.  

Development and Operational Effectiveness  

·          Ability to lead strategic planning , results-based management and reporting; 

·          Ability to formulate and manage budget, contributions  and investments, transactions, conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost – recovery; 

·          Good knowledge of accounting; 

·          Ability to successfully lead the IEC finance team; 

·          Excellent IT skills, knowledge of ATLAS; 

·          Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral /attitudinal change.  

Management Leadership  

·          Builds strong relationship with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedbacks; 

·          Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive constructive attitude; 

·          Demonstrates good oral and written communications skills; 

·          Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities; 

·          UNDP Accounting and Finance Training and certificate would be an advantage. 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:  

·          Master’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, Economics or related field.  

Experience:  

·          A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing financial management advisory services and or managing finance staff and operational systems; 

·          Proven track record of developing administration and financial policies and processes, and ensuring targets are met; 

·          Experience in management and supervision of subordinate staff – ideally in intra-divisional co-ordination or management; 

·          Experience of computers and office software packages ( MS Word, Excel, etc), knowledge  of spreadsheet and database packages, and experience of working with web-based management (ERP) system; 

·          Must be able to work effectively in a politically sensitive environment and to exercise discretion and neutrality; 

·          Experience and ability to work under pressure and within limited timeframes; 

·          Excellent negotiating and interpersonal skills; 

·          Experience of working in election administration an advantage.  

Language Requirements:  

·          Fluency in written and spoken English is essential; knowledge of Dari and/or Pashto is desirable.  

Interested and qualified International candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site at http://www.undp.org.af/Jobs/index.htm  

Please ensure that you upload your UN Personal History Form-P11 (available at http://www.undp.org.af/Jobs/index.htm) in the relevant field of the on-line applications.  

Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date (30 November 2009) will not be given consideration. Please note that only applications who are short-listed will be contacted.  

For more detailed information about UNDP Afghanistan please visit our website at www.undp.org.af    

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.