UNDP Jobs - 55981- Finance Associate (Re-advertisement)

Finance Associate (Re-advertisement) - Istanbul Regional Hub

Location :

Istanbul, TURKEY

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

08-May-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

GS-6

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year with possibility of extension

Languages Required :

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’s Regional Hub for Europe and the CIS is UNDP`s advisory hub for the Europe and CIS region tasked with the responsibility to provide policy and programmatic support to UNDP´s development activities in the region. Throughout UNDP´s focus areas, it works towards increasing the impact of UNDP´s activities in the region by assisting Country Offices in development of country-level initiatives through advisory services and technical support and by implementing regional-level projects in partnership with a wide range of partners supported to a global network of expertise. Under the leadership of the Director, the RBEC Regional Hub employs a multi-disciplinary team of specialists and advisors, project managers, operations and programme support staff.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Operations Analyst, the Finance Associate ensures effective execution of financial services and processes in IRH and transparent utilization of financial resources. The Finance Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Finance Associate can supervise clerical and support staff of the Finance Unit. The Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and projects’ staff in the IRH, other COs and with UNDP HQs staff for resolving finance-related issues and information exchange.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Implementation of operational and financial management strategies;
Administration of budgets and cost-recovery system;
Accounting. Finance and administrative support;
Global payroll;
IRH cash management;
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

1. Ensures implementation of operational and financial management strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:

Full compliance with UN/UNDP rules and regulations of financial processes, financial records and reports and audit follow up; implementation of the effective internal control framework;
IRH finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with the direct supervisor;
Monitoring and overview of cost sharing and trust fund agreements, follow up on contributions within the IRH resource mobilization efforts;

2. Ensures administration of budgets and functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results:

Monitoring of budgets for UNDP management and development projects;
Presentation of researched information for planning and status of financial resources of the IRH;
Preparation of monitoring tables (project budgets, delivery, use of core and non-core resources, etc.);
Ensures and follow up proper cost recovery mechanism of the non-core funded projects;

3. Provides accounting and administrative support to the Finance Unit and performs Global payroll functions focusing on achievement of the following results:

Proper control of the supporting documents for payments and preparation of all types of vouchers;
Pay Cycle and payments execution;
Proper receipting of goods and services and establishment of accruals;
May be requested to approve vendors in Atlas;
Global payrolls processing in Atlas;
Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas; payrolls are duly prepared and processed; travel claims, MPOs and other entitlements are duly processed;
Timely accounts closure (monthly, quarterly and annual), cleaning of accounts, etc.;
Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers. Timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues;
Timely corrective actions on erroneous data in Atlas. Preparation of financial reports as required;
Maintenance of the Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects and follow-up with partners on contributions, deposits creation in Atlas and their application to AR pending items;
Timely VAT reimbursements;
Finance and IPSAS dashboards monitoring;

4. Ensures proper IRH cash management functioning focusing on achievement of the following results:

Timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements. Timely identification and recording of receipts for income application;
Regular review of zero-balance account bank statements in Atlas to monitor imprest level; identification and recording of contributions;
Preparation of monthly UN exchange rate report to Treasury;
Timely and accurate preparation of bank reconciliations;
Timely preparation of monthly cash flow forecast. Liaison with UN Agencies to obtain estimate of their cash requirement;
Initiation of bank transfers and deals in Atlas;

5. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the IRH focusing on achievement of the following results:

Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on finance;
Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in financial management;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Impact of Results:

The key results have an impact on the overall execution of the Regional Hub financial services and success in implementation of operational strategies. Accurate analysis and presentation of financial information ensures proper financial processes in the Regional Hub.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Building Partnerships

Tracks and reports on mobilized resources.

Promoting Organizational Learning And Knowledge Sharing

Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things;
Identifies and communicates opportunities to promote learning and knowledge sharing.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position;
Possesses knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks (specialized knowledge related to financial resources management, including formulating budgets, maintaining Accounts Receivables and Accounts Payables, reporting);
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.

Promoting Organizational Change and Development

Documents ‘best practices’ in organizational change and development within and outside the UN system;
Demonstrates ability to identify problems and proposes solutions.

Design and Implementation of Management Systems

Uses information/databases/other management systems;
Makes recommendations related to work procedures and implementation of management systems.

Client Orientation

Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion;
Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
Responds to client needs promptly.

Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management

Maintains databases.

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. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
Informed and transparent decision making.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary Education, with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance;
University Degree in Finance, Business or Public Administration desirable, but it is not a requirement;
Qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage;
UNDP Accountancy & Finance Test will be required.

Experience:

6 years of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience is required;
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;
Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS required.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Turkish;
Knowledge of Russian or other language spoken in Europe and the CIS region would be an asset.