UNDP Jobs - 63358- ZRBF Finance Assistant - (Open to Nationals of Zim

ZRBF Finance Assistant - (Open to Nationals of Zimbabwe)

Location :

Harare, ZIMBABWE

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Mar-2016

Application Deadline :

11-Feb-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

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

As a key partner in the Resilience debate in Zimbabwe, UNDP has in partnership with a number of donors taken the lead in designing the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund (ZRBF). The overall objective of the fund will be to contribute to increased capacities of communities to protect development gains and achieve improved well-being outcomes in the face of shocks and stresses enabling them to contribute to economic growth of Zimbabwe. This will be achieved through a combination of 3 sets of results which will focus on a) creating a body of evidence for increased application of evidence in policy making and application for resilience; b) setting up a multi donor trust for Resilience Building in Zimbabwe to allow for partners to come together around the Resilience Framework and principles to improve the absorptive, adaptive and transformative capacities of at-risk communities; and c) setting up a risk financing mechanism which will provide appropriate, predictable, coordinated and timely response to risk and shocks from a resilience perspective.

Operating on the principles of joint programming the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund will aim to provide flexible, coordinated and predictable funding of approximately 50 million USD to support the achievement of increased national resilience to shocks – aligning to nationally owned and determined priorities. By improving coordination among all stakeholders, the Fund can also provide a forum for policy dialogue, and programmatic coordination and harmonization as well as building up a body of evidence for improved joint targeting and programme design.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Finance Specialist, the Finance Assistant provides financial services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. The Finance Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Finance Assistant works in close collaboration with the ZRBF programme staff as well as with the operations, programme and projects’ staff in the Country Office (CO) and with UNDP HQs staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensures implementation of operational strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

Full compliance of financial processes and financial records with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies;
Input to the CO business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management.

Ensures functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results:

Provision of inputs for preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the services provided by UNDP, follow up on cost recovery;
Support development and tracking of VfM indicators.

Provides accounting and administrative support to ZRBF focusing on achievement of the following results:

Proper control of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports;
Proper receipting of goods and services and establishment of accruals;
Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas; travel claims, MPOs and other entitlements are duly processed;
Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers;
Presentation of information on the status of financial resources as required;
Maintenance of the Accounts Receivables for ZRBF projects and recording of deposits in Atlas;
Management of cash receipts and petty cash;
Maintenance of the proper filing system for finance records and documents.

Supports UNDP Finance and Procurement departments in ensuring smooth processes related to procurement and financial administration for ZRBF functioning focusing on achievement of the following results:

Support timely review of procurement requests and secure all document live up to Zimbabwe Co standard and that all SOPs are followed;
Support oversight op CoA and assure effective planning with Finance Department for adequate liquidity for timely payment of ZRBF contracts;
Advice to project staff on UNDP administrative and budgetary reporting issues;
Support the Capacity building Specialist in conducting capacity assessments and contribute to the development of capacity building plans for partners.

Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

Participation in the trainings for the operations/ projects staff on Finance;
Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
Organize/conduct training for ZRBF Staff on (ATLAS) Financial management;
Organize and conduct training on financial compliance and reporting to UNDP for Grant Recipients under the ZRBF;
Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in Program finance;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Building Partnerships

Tracks and reports on mobilized resources;
Maintaining information and databases.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

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 (financial resources management);
Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures related to the financial resources management and applies them consistently in work tasks;
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

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.

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;
Prepares timely inputs to reports.

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;
Part-qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.

Experience:

5 years of relevant finance experience at the national or international level is required;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems;
Experience with ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft, desirable;
Experience with capacity assessments and strengthening desirable;
Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS desirable.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in the UN and national language of the duty station.

N.B.

UNDP Zimbabwe reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP Zimbabwe at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and education requirements;
Applicants are requested to upload a copy of their latest updated P11 Form instead of a CV which can be downloaded from this website:http://www.sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc.
Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.