Background

This is a re-advertisement and those who applied in the earlier round need not apply again.

UNDP, as an integral part of its mission to fight poverty and improve the lives of people around the world, is committed to being open, transparent and accountable. As part of this commitment, UNDP will adopt International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) by January 2012.

UNDP is establishing a Global Shared Service Centre (GSSC) to provide IPSAS transactional recording (in the areas of revenue, expenses and fixed assets), advisory and support services to UNDP Offices worldwide, and to provide training to UNDP Offices where needed. The centre will be established near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Financial Accounts Analyst is responsible for day to day provision of accounting and related services to multiple offices internationally within the assigned regions. S/he will work in close collaboration with other Account Analysts and staff in his/her team. S/he will have matrix reporting responsibilities: to the Regional Service Manager on all matters related to the service provision to client offices; and to the respective Regional Service Managers which have been assigned as Focal Points for Revenue Management, Asset Management and Expense Recognition. Daily performance management of the Financial Accounts Analyst will be the responsibility of Regional Service Manager, with inputs from the Focal Points.

Flexible working arrangements with regard to working hours will be applied to this function to achieve overall operational objectives and optimal performance. Interaction with the regions within their respective time zones will be required.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:
  • Accounting Service Provision
  • Support the implementation of accounting and financial policies
  • Knowledge Management and Learning
Effective service provision as part of the Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC) to offices on accounting services and in particular Revenue Management, Expense Recognition and Asset Management focusing on the achievement of the following results:
  • Proactively reaches out to client offices to be able to identify, plan and address support needs in a timely fashion, ensuring that the GSSC range of services and support capacities are known by clients (advocacy);
  • Provides first class customer service to clients by resolving incoming service requests immediately and in person wherever possible;
  • Manages day to day service provision to clients, effectively managing incoming service requests, service performance and follow up in a timely manner;
  • Provides direct service support and interaction with global clients in multiple languages;
  • Supports the team in effective service provision by managing team internal workload for request resolutions.
Revenue Management:
The Accounts Analyst is responsible for the Revenue Management functions of the GSSC as outlined in the Service Level Agreements between the GSSC and the UNDP Offices:
  • Analyses Donor Agreements and other revenue generating contracts signed by UNDP Country Offices in terms of IPSAS clauses (e.g. payment and billing schedules, reporting, etc);
  • Ensures IPSAS compliant entries of all contract details into the Atlas (ERP) Contracts Module;
  • Ensures that the all entries in the Contracts Module are current and updated at all times and proactively detects data issues;
  • Supports client offices in signing IPSAS and UNDP Rules and Regulations compliant contracts and follows up with offices if the submitted agreements are non-compliant;
  • Alerts the Regional Service Manager to non-standard or compliant contribution agreements.
Asset Management:
  • Detects, analyzes and reviews exceptions and books corrections;
  • The regular reconciliation of the asset register to general ledger balances;
  • Support the twice yearly management verification of asset for existence, continuing use, remaining life, impairment and obsolescence;
  • Implementation of regular reviews of useful lives;
  • Analyze, formulate and process accounting transactions for leases, leasehold improvements, additions, disposals, impairments and intangibles.
Expense Management:
  • Perform the monthly, quarterly and year-end closing process for expenses, in close consultation with the client offices;
  • Review client office procurement transactions for usage of the correct application of International Commercial terms (incoterms) in receipting and accrual adjustments for period closing;
  • Review of commitments and closure of purchase orders;
  • Ensure the proper revaluation and closure of receipts.
These services should be provided whilst ensuring full compliance of financial processes and financial records with UNDP Financial regulations and rules, the internal control framework, and other policies and strategies.

In providing services to the regions the Accounts Associate will follow the following arrangements:
  • Client relationship management system: To ensure high levels of customer focus and satisfaction, the Accounts Associate will support and comply with the use of the CRM system;
  • Escalation of issues: Implements all GSSC protocols for service provision and escalation of cases/issues to the senior management when required;
  • Flexible working arrangements: to optimize client support, the Accounts Associate may be required to implement flexible working arrangements.
Proactively support the implementation of accounting and financial policies, focusing on the achievement of the following results. Regularly scans GSSC documentation and Atlas (ERP) to detect anomalies and errors. Follow up on these items as indicated below:
  • Follows up on outstanding items with offices in the area of Revenue Management and in particular with all items relevant for the proper data entry into the Atlas (ERP) Contracts Module such as contract details;
  • Follows up on outstanding items with offices in the area of Asset Management in particular on reports for asset certifications, impairments and mistakes;
  • Follows up on outstanding items with offices in the area of Revenue Management and in particular on errors in receipting data, book keeping errors (such as posting to the wrong expense accounts) and closing related items;
  • Continuous monitoring and analysis of the operating environment; quick readjustment of the operations; advice on legal considerations; and risk assessment;
  • Routinely reviewing financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions; and investigates anomalies or unusual transaction;
  • Contributes to the design and fine-tuning of service conditions (Service Level Agreements – SLA), ensures and monitors the implementation thereof;
  • Provides inputs for year-end submission to support IPSAS financial statement note disclosures, including but not limited to an assessment of revenue and expense contingent assets/liabilities;
  • Proactively follows up with GSSC team colleagues on the completion of tasks assigned to them as per their team function and as necessitated by external circumstances such as closing periods, crisis and other requests. Provides hands-on support to areas of focus during peak periods as needed. Supports other regions in the GSSC to balance overall GSSC workload, as may be required.
Facilitation of Knowledge Management and Learning:
  • Contributes to a cohesive, client-oriented and high performing team that is fully committed to its purpose, the achievement of the GSSC’s functions and corporate results;
  • Proactively transfers knowledge of UNDP/UN operations, regulations, rules and procedures to other team members;
  • Contributes to the improvement of staff capacities (both in client offices and the GSSC) and the overall performance of financial management in client offices, by providing sound inputs to the design, organization and implementation of training programmes in the implementation of UNDP’s financial and resource management guidelines, ensuring full compliance with IPSAS, corporate policies and prescriptive content;
  • Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices; Consolidates client feedback revenue, asset and expense management processes;
  • Supports OFA and Regional Bureaux oversight of the country offices and the regions as a whole as well as HQ offices by providing inputs for the preparation of country analysis reports using a wide range of financial and other relevant data, contributing to the assessment and rating of the performance of the country offices;
  • Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice, and shares institutional knowledge of these networks and practices to other team members.
  • Deputize on behalf of the Regional Service Manager as necessary.

    Impact of Results:

    The key results have an impact on UNDP’s ability to fully comply with IPSAS and on the overall economy, efficiency and effectiveness of GSSC’s operations in providing the full range of services and support provided to client offices.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Building Partnerships

Level 1.2: Maintaining a network of contacts
  • Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues.
  • Establishes and nurtures positive communication with partners
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing
Level 1.2: Basic research and analysis
  • Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things.
  • Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches.
  • Identifies and communicates opportunities to promote learning and knowledge sharing.
  • Develops awareness of the various internal/external learning and knowledge-sharing resources.
  • Share knowledge of UNDP finance, accounting and/or operations with team members.
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise
Level 1.2: Fundamental knowledge of own discipline
  • Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position.
  • Ability to formulate and manage budgets; manage contributions; manage transactions; and conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery.
  • Technical knowledge of ERP software, specifically the PeopleSoft Financials.
  • Possesses knowledge of organizational policies and procedures and applies them consistently in work tasks.
  • Identifies new and better approaches to work processes and incorporates the same in his/her work.
  • Analyzes the requirements and synthesizes proposals.
  • Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning.
  • Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.
  • Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.
Promoting Organizational Change and Development
Level 1.2: Basic research and analysis
  • Researches and documents ‘best practices’ in organizational change and development within and outside the UN system.
  • Demonstrates ability to diagnose problems and identifies and communicates processes to support change initiatives.
Design and Implementation of Management Systems
Level 1.2: Research and analysis and making recommendations on management systems
  • Make recommendations relative to work-processing approaches and procedures which would lead to more efficient systems design.
  • Client Orientation
Level 1.2: Establishing effective client relationships
  • Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion.
  • Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines.
  • Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients.
  • Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly.
  • Provides direct service support and interaction with global clients in multiple languages.
Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management
Level 1.2: Basic monitoring
  • Gathers, analyzes and disseminates information on best practice in accountability and results-based management systems.
Core Competencies:
  • Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
  • Self-development, initiative-taking
  • Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
  • Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
  • Creating synergies through self-control
Managing conflict:
  • Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others
  • Informed and transparent decision making

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Advanced (Masters) University Degree in Finance/Accounting, Business, or Public Administration, or a professional accounting qualification from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy.
  • Professionally qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
  • Long-listed candidates will be required to undergo the UNDP Advanced Accountancy & Finance Test.
Experience:
  • 2 years of relevant experience (post qualification) in providing financial management advisory services, managing staff and operational systems.
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems and ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft, and Client Relationship Management (CRM) applications.
  • Previous experience with UN/UNDP in a finance function required and good knowledge of UNDP rules and procedures is desirable.
  • Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS required.
Language:
  • Fluency in English and French or Spanish required.
Application Instructions:
  • Click on the "Apply now" button.
  • Input your information in the appropriate Sections : personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. You can type in, or paste your Resume into the last box.
  • Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. On the next page, you will be asked to upload your Resume. Instead of uploading your Resume, please submit a fully completed and signed UNDP Personal History Form (P-11) which can be downloaded at English version. When completing the Form and, even though not currently requested, please include email addresses for your Supervisors. Without the completed and signed P11, your application will not be considered. http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_history_form.doc
  • Only short-listed candidates will be contacted and please ensure that copies of your educational qualifications are readily available when contacted.