UNCDF Jobs - 60682- Re-advertisement - Local Government Finance Office

Re-advertisement - Local Government Finance Officer, UNCDF - (Open to Somali Nationals Only)

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

Hargeisa, SOMALIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

SC-8

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year (with possibility of renewal)

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 UN/WB Joint Needs Assessment for Somalia (2006) identified support to local governance in Somalia as key to ensure the building of trust in public governance systems and improve service delivery at local level. Within this context, five UN partners (UNDP, UN Habitat, ILO, UNICEF and UNCDF) joined efforts to develop a UN Joint Programme on local governance and decentralized service delivery and integrate their current local governance projects into the joint programme. The overall objective of the programme is that local governments contribute to peace and equitable priority service delivery in selected locations. The specific objectives of the programme are that communities have access to basic services and that districts councils are accountable and transparent. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Interior under the Government of Somaliland Republic through the technical support of the United Nations Joint Programme for Local Governance and Service Delivery (JPLG) for Somalia /Somaliland established a Local Development Fund (LDF) to provide a discretionary capital grant to districts to respond to their public services delivery tasks. The LDF is linked with the performance assessment of districts which is measured by indicators for Minimum Conditions (MCs) and Performance Measures (PMs).

As part of this programme, UNCDF wishes to strengthen its field presence in Hargeisa and UNCDF’s interventions as part of the joint programme focusing The Local Development Fund (LDF) which has three key short term objectives, 1) Develop the capacity of local governments to plan, budget and provide resources for local development and service delivery; (2) UNCDF a discretionary capital fiscal transfer system at the local level; and ( 3) Act as an incentive for decentralisation reforms as the lessons and experiences are documented and systematically feed into the reforms.

UNCDF interventions focusing the guidance and Management of a Local Development Fund, for the financing of public infrastructure and service delivery at local level, this work will be closely coordinated with the activities of UNCDF field Operation with the guidance of UNCDF Sr Programme Assistant and UNCDF-CTA and with Collaboration of UNDP Operation staff in Sub-Office Hargeisa, and with other activities of the joint programme partners, to ensure a coherent approach in support of the Public Expenditure Management at local level.

UNCDF is ensuring its country presence for expanding the presence of field staff through UN-JPLG programme for Somaliland. In this context, UNCDF, Somalia, seeks to recruit, a Project Officer based in Hargeisa, which will assist UNCDF Programme Specialist based in Hargeisa and UNCDF-CTA to assist UNCDF Operation activities under the guidance of UNCDF Sr Programme Assistant and close collaboration with UNDP Operation Hargeisa and incumbent will be responsible UNCDF Field Office Operation and UNCDF field office admin & finance activities and UNCDF Implementation process of the LDF under the guidance of UNCDF Programme Specialist and UNCDF-CTA for the UNCDF’s activities of local governance and fiscal decentralisation, with particular support to the management of the Local Development Fund and close collaboration with Government and UN joint programme partners in the field.

Under the supervision and guidance of UNCDF Programme Specialist, the incumbent will closely collaborate with other UN- JPLG staff, government Officials, and Consultants working with LDF and Fiscal Decentralisation, UNDP operation staff in in Hargeisa for the UNCDF Field Office Operation related activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Provide administrative support on Operations and Financial matters;
Provide support for fiscal policy design and implementation;
Facilitate training on finance processes, documentation, basic accounting, book keeping, budgeting, procurement and logistics to Somaliland LDF target Districts;
Provide support to the review and analysis of programme and project related documents and reports, maintain a reference system for these documents, and follow up on future programmes and actions;
Provide logistical support for UNCDF missions, workshops and meetings.

Provide administrative support on Operations and Financial matters focusing on the achievement of the following:

Set up a system for proper control of the supporting documents for the Districts Projects payments and other Direct Payments of UNCDF field Office and payments;
Ensure the maintenance of UNCDF Field Office expenditures control system to ensure that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted; travel claims and other entitlements are duly processed.

Provide support for fiscal policy design and implementation focusing on the achievement of the following:

In collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Interior, other government agencies and UN partners, provide support to the fiscal decentralization process;
Communicate regularly to relevant stakeholders on the implementation of the LDF Fund developments in the local government financing systems, and financial reporting;
In collaboration with other JPLG staff, manage the delivery of inputs and outputs in line with the project’s approved work plan.

Facilitate training on finance processes, documentation, basic accounting, book keeping, budgeting, procurement and logistics to Somaliland LDF target Districts focusing on the achievement of the following:

Undertake field visit to project sites when required to provide briefing and to resolve any financial, personnel or administrative issues;
Support the management & administrative training for the staff at Ministry of Interior, Finance, and the districts as required;
Manage the Flow of partner documents in terms of all finance and administrative elements for all relevant reporting.
track all financial disbursements and banking issues of the projects
Preparation of the cost estimates, payment processing in line with UNCDF Financial standards and Procedures.

Provide support to the review and analysis of programme and project related documents and reports, maintain a reference system for these documents, and follow up on future programmes and actions focusing on achievement of the following:

Prepare correspondence on financial, personnel and administrative matters for the supervisor’s signature to government officials.
Maintain and update all Finance and administrative project files and records; 5. Provide logistical support for UNCDF missions, workshops and meetings focusing on the achievement of the following;
Participate in partner meetings and prepare minutes of the meetings and seminars;
Coordinate all logistical needs for workshop participants;
maintenance of office records and asset Management
Prepare correspondence, special reports, notes, evaluations and justifications on general administration.
Arrange for the local procurement, maintenance and safekeeping of equipment, furniture, vehicles and supplies.
liaise with local banks, government agencies, UN agencies and other relevant stake holders on administrative matters

Impact of Results

The post has an impact on the implementation of the Local Development Fund, on the administration and financing and delivery of local development activities in Somaliland/Somalia

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNCDF;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge management and Learning

Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and UNCDF and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP and UNCDF.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Builds strong relationships with clients (primarily Government), focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Ability to manage complex problems proactively and effectively, including responses to field based emergencies;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills;
IT competencies in Word, Excel, Power Point and internet.

Management and Leadership

Demonstrates strong analytical and management skills;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced (Master’s) degree in Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Political Science, Economics, Business Administration, or related discipline;
A first University degree in relevant field may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree with additional 2 years of relevant experience.

Experience:

Minimum 2 years relevant work experience in the area of finance, administration and project/operations management in a governmental, multilateral or civil society organization in a multi-cultural setting;
Experience with local governance and/or public financial management is desirable;
Understanding of the current economic, social and political dynamics of Somalia is desirable;
Experience in usage of ATLAS is desirable;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

Language Requirements:

Strong written and spoken English skills;
Somali language is a requirement.

Terms of Service:

This is a non-staff contract under the Service Contract modality of hiring of the UNDP. Individuals engaged under a Service Contract serve in their individual capacity and not as representative of a government institutions, corporate body or other authority external to UNDP. The incumbent shall not be considered as staff of UNDP, the UN common system or the government and are therefore not entitled to any diplomatic privileges or any other special status or conditions.