Background

UNDP supports stabilization, state building, governance and development priorities in Afghanistan. UNDP support, in partnership with the Government, the United Nations system, the donor community and other development stakeholders, has contributed to institutional development efforts leading to positive impact on the lives of Afghan citizens. Over the years UNDP support has spanned such milestone efforts as the adoption of the Constitution; Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council elections; institutional development through capacity-building to the legislative, the judicial and executive arms of the state, and key ministries, Government agencies and commissions at the national and subnational levels. UNDP has played a key role in the management of the Law and Order Trust Fund, which supports the Government in developing and maintaining the national police force and in efforts to stabilize the internal security environment. Major demobilization, disarmament and rehabilitation and area-based livelihoods and reconstruction programmes have taken place nationwide. UNDP Programmes in Afghanistan have benefited from the very active support of donors. UNDP Afghanistan is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and works in close coordination with the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan and the UN system as a whole to maximize the impact of its development efforts on the ground.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Financial Management and Oversight, the Finance Specialist Fund Management is responsible for ensuring the highest efficiency in financial resources planning, reporting and analysis. S/he is responsible for the provision of accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial information, effective delivery of financial services and transparent utilization of financial resources under LOTFA.

The Finance Specialist supervises and leads professional and support staff of the LOTFA Fund Financial Fiduciary Management Unit. The Finance Specialist works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations, and LOTFA project teams, UNDP HQ staff and project officials ensuring successful fund management as regards financial planning, analysis, control and reporting. He/she analyzes and interprets the financial rules and regulations of UNDP and the Government of Afghanistan and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues. The Finance Specialist promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Effective and accurate financial resources management and financial analysis and control;
• Implementation of operational and financial management strategies and procedures;
• Preparation of budgets, financial reporting and organization of an optimal cost-recovery system;
• Facilitation of knowledge building and sharing.

Ensures effective and accurate financial resources management and financial analysis and control for all resources under FFFMU including Law and Order Trust Fund (LOTFA), focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Comprehensive financial risk assessment, planning and analysis, oversight and control of resources managed under FFFMU.
• Provision of high-quality professional advice on financial planning and analysis, oversight and control to UNDP and Government
• Optimal planning, monitoring of execution, reporting and expenditure control of the financial resources under the FFFMU in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
• Optimal accounts analysis and data quality, including timely provision of accurate data for financial reporting to donors;
• Effective financial risk analysis, control and oversight and timely and accurate reconciliation of expenditures;
• Efficient planning and management of the work of the Unit; control of the workflows in the Unit and across the Projects under LOTFA in the areas of responsibility;
• Full compliance with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies.

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

• Identifies risks and impacts of the financial flows (advances and reporting), proposes and implements improvements;
• Establishes, implements and adjusts, as needed, the internal controls for the Fund. Ensures adequate design and functioning of the financial management systems for fund management;
• Continuously analyses and monitors the financial situation of the Fund, monitors and tracks income in collaboration with Contributions Management and Reporting Team of the OFMO;
• Develops operational procedures for fund management. Designs and establishes systems, tools and mechanisms to improve fund management;
• Carries out business processes mapping and elaborates and establishes internal standard operating procedures for funds management;
• Identifies need for system and tool development and oversees implementation;
• Routinely monitors financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigates anomalies or unusual transactions. Informs supervisors and other UNDP staff at Headquarters of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.

Ensures prompt and accurate planning and implementation of financial planning and analysis, financial controls and oversight as well as accounts analysis and data quality management activities in FFFM, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Oversees and manages all activities related to financial risk management, financial planning and analysis, financial control and oversight and accounts analysis and data quality management in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
• Plans and implements financial risk analysis and designs/updates the financial risk management strategy for the Fund;
• Prepares financial forecasts for funds advances;
• Plans, in close collaboration with the Ministries of Interior Affairs and Ministry of Finance, financial advances based on expenditure analysis and forecasting;
• Closely coordinates funds release with UNDP Treasury;
• Together with the Government, plans and oversees implementation of an effective state-of-the art oversight mechanism for the fund;
• Ensures that fund oversight and expenditure control mechanism and activities are implemented adequately and in accordance with the plan;
• Oversees a timely fund reconciliation process;
• Ensures timely and accurate analysis and categorization of expenditures and data clean up;
• Ensures excellent data quality for reporting and monitoring purposes;
• Regularly monitors and assesses data quality of the fund;
• Provides high-quality expenditure data for project/fund/CO planning processes such as AWPs and other UNDP planning processes;
• Analyses and compiles financial information and prepares reports and narratives on all aspects related to fund management.

Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and sharing, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Builds capacity and creates understanding and capacities around fund management in the UNDP and the Government;
• Identifies and synthetizes lessons learnt and best practices in the area of work;
• Actively promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture within the CO;
• Systematically builds capacities of national staff and trains project and CO staff in all areas of responsibility;
• Assists the Government partners in developing capacities in the area of work.

Impact of result

The key results have a profound impact on efficiency and transparency of financial resources management in UNDP Afghanistan. Accurate and timely planning, oversight and reporting of the financial resources under the Fund profoundly impact UNDP´s credibility as a development partner to the Government and the International community and its success in resources mobilization and have a long-term effect on the sustainability of UNDP´s programme in the country.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Promotes ethics and integrity and creates organisational precedents;
• Builds support and political acumen;
• Builds staff competence and creates an environment of creativity and innovation;
• Builds and promotes effective teams;
• Creates and promotes environment for open communications;
• Leverages conflict in the interest of UNDP and sets standards;
• Shares knowledge across the organisation and builds a culture of knowledge sharing and learning.

Functional Competencies:

Developing tools and mechanisms:

• Makes case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
• Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms;
• Develops and/or participates in the development of tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organisational learning and knowledge sharing and informal mechanisms.

In-depth knowledge of the subject matter:

• Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines;
• Serves as internal consultant in the area of expertise and shares knowledge with staff;
• Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit;
• Keeps abreast of the new developments in the area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to development him/herself professionally;
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it;
• Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Developing innovative and creative approaches:

• Leverages different experiences and expertise of team members to achieve better and more innovative outcomes;
• Leverages multi-disciplinary, institutional knowledge and experience of other countries and regions to promote UNDP´s agenda;
• Develops innovative and creative approaches to meet programme and capacity development objectives;
• Participates in the dialogue about conceptual innovation at the country and regional levels.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced (Masters) University Degree in Finance/Accounting or Business, Administration.
• Professionally qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
• UNDP Advanced Accountancy & Finance Test required.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in fund financial management covering financial risk analysis and planning, oversight and control, data quality management and reporting in public or private sector organisations;
• Experience in management of large funds;
• Experience in management of finance teams;
• Experience at the country level in developing countries, preferably in a post-conflict environment;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages;
• Proficiency with web-based information management systems, ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft;
• Experience with ATLAS is a distinct asset.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Interested and qualified International candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site at http://www.af.undp.org/content/afghanistan/en/home/operations/jobs/  and please ensure that to fill up and upload Personal History Form-P.11 which is available at http://www.af.undp.org/content/afghanistan/en/home/operations/jobs/     in the relevant field of the on-line application

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

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

Successful candidates must be prepared to start work within 6 weeks of the offer of appointment.

Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.