UNDP Jobs - 52071- Finance Specialist (Tier 1)

Finance Specialist (Tier 1)

Location :

Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

19-Dec-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

one year renewable

Languages Required :

English French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

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 adopted International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), and established the Global Shared Service Centre (GSSC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to provide IPSAS transactional recording, procurement, advisory and support services to UNDP Offices worldwide, and to provide training to UNDP Offices where needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall direction of the Deputy Chief of the GSSC, the Finance Specialist (Regional Services) will manage transactional services provided to multiple client offices internationally within two specific geographic regions, and monitor all services provided to the client offices within the specific geographic regions (both quick service - tier 1 - and specialized - tier 2); manage, analyze, review and approve quick service (tier 1) transactions on behalf of client offices within the specific geographic regions; and provide support, guidance and advice to these client offices in the IPSAS related functions covered by the GSSC. In addition, the incumbent is also expected to provide training to UNDP staff on procedures and processes that have direct implications for UNDP’s compliance with IPSAS and respective policies.

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

Summary of Key Functions:

Manage a Regional Service Team;
Accounting service provision (including relationship management with clients);
Knowledge management and learning.

The Finance Specialist (Regional Services) shall manage one Regional Service Team focusing on the following results:

Team development: Developing & leading a cohesive, client-oriented and highly-skilled Regional Service Team that understands & is fully committed to its purpose & the achievement of the GSSC’s functions, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) & Key Performance Indicators (KPIs);
Workplanning: Preparing team work plans, establishment of targets and monitoring achievement of results;
Performance monitoring and management: Help instil a performance management culture throughout the GSSC, including continuously evaluating services to clients with a view to improving delivery through innovation and deployment of best practices;
Business improvement: Support initiatives to take forward the development and improvement of the GSSC, including design and enforcement of workflows and Standard Operating Procedures for all areas of responsibility;
Transaction processing: managing the provision of transactional and advisory services for quick service - tier 1 – transactions and advisory services for the specified geographic regions. The specialized - tier 2 – transactions and advisory services will be provided by specialised service teams.
Workload management: Working with the specialised service teams, ensure that the GSSC runs as a business and responds to volumes and workload, including delegation and management of GSSC workload on a daily basis – and careful planning for peak workload periods. This also includes management of the flexible working arrangements, as required

The Finance Specialist (Regional Services) is responsible for the high quality provision of transactional, advisory and support services to client offices within specific geographic regions, coordinating the provision of all finance and procurement transactions and advisory services, including Revenue and Treasury Accounting, Procure to Pay, Record to Report, HR Finance, Analytics and other related business processes services.

These services should be provided whilst ensuring full compliance to 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 Finance Specialist (Regional Services) is responsible for:

Client relationship management: To ensure high levels of customer focus and satisfaction and manage the interface with key stakeholders. This includes overseeing the use and maintenance of the CRM system and other related tools, following up on escalated complaints or concerns from clients, and working with employees and providing guidance during tough situations to acquire appropriate resolutions for clients and the GSSC;
Advocacy of services: To seek and capitalise on opportunities to promote and advocate for the services of the GSSC;
Escalation of issues: Ensuring that employees follow all GSSC protocols while dealing with clients and escalation of cases to the senior management when required.

Facilitation of Knowledge Management and Learning focusing in the achievement of the following results:

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;
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;
Provide Focal Point leadership to GSSC staff for specific geographic regions, by developing a keen understanding of the region, its opportunities, challenges and service requirements;
Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices; Consolidates client feedback in the areas of all finance and procurement transactions and advisory services, including Revenue and Treasury Accounting, Procure to Pay, Record to Report, HR Finance, Analytics and other related business processes;
Supports OFRM, PSO 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.

Competencies

Core

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow.

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Delivery

Ability to get things done.

Technical/Functional

Primary
Accounting (General)

Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, regulations, and policies and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Audit

Ability to examine and verify accounts and records.

Financial Reporting and Analysis

Ability to evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful manner.

Secondary
Knowledge Management

Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced (Master’s) University Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a relevant discipline or a professional accounting qualification certificate from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy;
Those with professional accounting qualification certificate 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:

Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in accounting/finance; experience in providing financial management services and/or managing staff and operational systems;
Experience in the usage of computers and MS Office packages;
Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages;
Experience in handling of web-based management systems;
Hands-on experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), preferably with ATLAS (PeopleSoft) is desirable;
Experience in handling Client Relationship Management (CRM) applications.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and French is required;
Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.