UNDP Jobs - 58540- Individual Consultant - Accounts and Finance Speci

Individual Consultant - Accounts and Finance Specialist (For Indian Nationals Only)

Location :

Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, INDIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

10-Nov-2015

Application Deadline :

04-Oct-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year(with possibility of extension on availability of funds, extension of the project)

Languages Required :

English

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

The UNDP India Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) for the period 2013-17, signed with the Government of India enables UNDP to provide Development Support Services to the country. The aim of the Development Support Services is to help government improve the administrative efficiency and effectiveness of government programmes and schemes both at the national and state level. The signed CPAP, states that UNDP will provide demand-based development support services, including procurement support services, with requisite professional skills, personnel and technical resources with a view to supporting administrative efficiency and developing capacities of government agencies.

The Revenue Department (DM), State Government of Himachal Pradesh responsible to undertake various actions as per the legal-institutional framework of the National Disaster Management Act 2005, has formally requested UNDP support to strengthen SDMA (State Disaster Management Authority) and all 12 DDMAs (District Disaster Management Authorities) out of funds available with it under the 14th Finance Commission Grant by providing demand-based human resources at the state and district levels to facilitate implementation of training & capacity building activities in the State. In this context, UNDP is looking for individuals for the position of Accounts and Finance Specialist to provide support to the Government of HP.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Accounts and Finance Specialist will be based at HPSDMA/Revenue Department (DM), and under the overall supervision of the Special Secretary (DM), he/she would be responsible for carrying out the following tasks:

Prepare Annual Work Plan with budget out of 14th Finance Commission Grants;
Maintain book of accounts for Finance Commission Grants and other Centrally Sponsored /National Level Projects & Schemes;
Support in implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of DRR activities;
Develop RFP and procure services of agencies/institutions for the implementation of capacity building and related DRR activities;
Develop guidelines and support in the procurement of agencies as per state government procurement procedures for capacity building as well as other DRR related activities;
Monitor allocation of fund to and utilization by various Government and Non-government agencies;
Verify and prepare cash/cheque payment vouchers for the requests received or the expenditure incurred or receipts;
Dispatch funds to the districts/agencies for various approved activities;
Prepare proceedings of meetings/conferences of HPSDMA;
Maintain inventories;
Process reimbursements of expenses met for approved activities;
Assist in office administration and logistics;
Carry out any other work assigned by the Supervisors.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the State;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in the accounts and finance matters, project management, etc.;
Acquires and applies new skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to apply the Government Accounting Procedure, General Financial Rules, Treasury Rules, Codes etc.;
Strong IT skills for accounting and finance;
Ability to take initiatives for improvement of book keeping and accounting, budgeting, monitoring and reporting.

Corporate Competencies:

Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Essential - University Degree in Commerce, economics, finance, business management or any other relevant discipline;
Desirable - Good Computer knowledge related to book keeping and accounting such as Tally.

Experience:

Essential - Minimum of 15 years of experience in handling finance and accounts in Central or State Government or Public Sector Undertaking;
Candidates having served in State Accounts Service Cadre will be given preference.

Language:

Fluency of Hindi & English language is required.

Duration of the Work:

The contract will be awarded for one year initially. Working days will be as per the State Government policy.

Travel:

Travel to the districts in the state would be required

Schedule of Payments:

Consolidated Annual Consultancy Fee (Remuneration) of Rs 6,00,000/- payable in equal monthly instalments, upon submission of monthly progress report certified by the reporting officer.

Institutional Arrangement:

Contract will be administered by UNDP on behalf of the State Government of Himachal Pradesh;
All the logistic support related official travel will be borne by the Government of Himachal Pradesh as per their prevailing rules;
Consultant will be entitled for 2 days leave per month (non-encashable).

Documentation required:

Personal CV, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Shortlisting would be done based on the following criteria:

Educational Qualification 30% Marks;
Relevant Experience 50% Marks;
Suitability for the assignment 20% Marks.

Only shortlisted candidates shall be called for an interview. The interviews will be conducted either in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh or in New Delhi and will be based on the competencies (skills) required as per the ToR. The contract shall be awarded on a merit basis. If face-to-face interviews are conducted, travel costs will be borne by the shortlisted candidate.

For any clarifications, please write to ic.india@undp.org