Background
Applicants who previously applied need not re-apply.
The Office of Financial Resources Management (OFRM), Bureau of Management, supports the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the promotion of its sustainable human development agenda. It achieves this by developing and making fully operational a dynamic and harmonized integrated resource management framework based on comprehensive analysis that enhances UNDP’s financial and administrative performance, as well as facilitates UN reform and coherence. To these ends, the framework addresses strategically critical financial and administrative resource planning and management issues, including results based budgeting; the integration of the Programming Arrangements and the Institutional Budget within the context of the integrated budget from 2014 onwards; enhanced cost classification and cost recovery; capital budgeting; adherence to IPSAS; foreign exchange and investment activities; facilities management; administration of office space, organizational assets and travel; Balanced Scorecard Management and other performance management initiatives; and support to UN harmonization.
The Office of Financial Resources Management (OFRM), Bureau of Management, supports the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the promotion of its sustainable human development agenda. It achieves this by developing and making fully operational a dynamic and harmonized integrated resource management framework based on comprehensive analysis that enhances UNDP’s financial and administrative performance, as well as facilitates UN reform and coherence. To these ends, the framework addresses strategically critical financial and administrative resource planning and management issues, including results based budgeting; the integration of the Programming Arrangements and the Institutional Budget within the context of the integrated budget from 2014 onwards; enhanced cost classification and cost recovery; capital budgeting; adherence to IPSAS; foreign exchange and investment activities; facilities management; administration of office space, organizational assets and travel; Balanced Scorecard Management and other performance management initiatives; and support to UN harmonization.
Effective and efficient integrated resources management is enabled through a continuous and robust process comprising:
- Formulation and implementation of corporate financial and administrative strategies, policies and procedures;
- Formulation, alignment, documentation and implementation of UNDP’s funding frameworks, assuring their integrity, viability and alignment with the Strategic Plan;
- Provision of policy guidance, advisory services and operational support to strengthen client capacities and help them achieve results, seeking to build consensus within UNDP and with key stakeholders on critical budgetary related matters requiring Executive Board legislation;
- Administration of the organization’s internal control framework, overseeing and monitoring financial management of all global UNDP offices, including through formulation/implementation of resource planning, management and oversight tools and reports;
- Promoting clear accountability for financial transactions and producing financial statements, including financial reporting to donors and the UNDP Executive Board;
- Providing capacity building support and guidance to ensure that travel, facilities, insurance and fixed asset management is adequately addressed in all locations.
The Corporate Financial Reporting and Agency Services (CFRA) is responsible, inter alia, for the control and integrity of financial data and the processing of that data in UNDP. This post is part of OFRM's Accounts/Corporate Financial Reporting and Agency Services and performs the critical functions described below.
Responsibility will include the control over the data held in the financial systems and the functional operation, for UNDP, in respect of all sub-modules to the General Ledger and within sub-modules. In addition, the CFRM will be responsible for data external to the Office of Financial Resources Management (OFRM) interfaced to the financial systems.
The Specialist reports to the Manager, CFRM, and is responsible for maintaining control of ATLAS (world-wide), with particular emphasis over the data and the attendant quality. The Specialist will be expected to have a sound working knowledge of all modules, and will be expected to be able to respond to queries in any of the following areas if the need arises:
- Accounts Payable;
- Accounts Receivable;
- Project Accounting;
- Cost Recovery;
- Direct Execution (DEX) programming control, and
- Other Atlas sub-modules.
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of Key Functions
Integrity of financial data
Accurate data interface
Control of UNDP Accounting systems
Reconciliation of data
System Improvements
Supports other Finance/Accounting functions as necessary
Maintain the integrity of the financial data and the processing of that data throughout UNDP (HQ, out posted offices and UNDP country offices):
- Ensure improved data integrity and confidence in UNDP;
- Ensure reliability of financial information for reporting purposes;
- Investigate failures and sign off on reconciliations;
- Leads investigation and respond to all queries concerning issues, problems and quality of financial data.
Ensures data external to Office of Financial Resources Management (OFRM) is correctly interfaced in Atlas Finance (i.e. all sub modules to the General Ledger and within modules):
- Ensure increased accuracy in the allocation of financial data within the accounting structure;
- Maintain positive and strong relationships with Technical Teams in other Divisions in Bureau of Management (BoM) to resolve business and data quality related issues.
Support the data stewardship role of the Manager, CFRM and exercise control of the processing of data Accounting Systems that are closely related to the General Ledger (GL):
- Ensure proper functioning of the finance modules;
- Conduct test of the quality of the stored data and/or transfer to ensure conformity with UNDP data quality standards;
- Conduct periodic review of the data control processes and prescribe corrective action for any shortcomings or identified failures.
Leads the reconciliation of data transferred via the various corporate data interfaces ensuring complete and accurate reconciliations with signoff on a regular basis between the sub modules and the GL, and within sub modules:
- Ensure full agreement of data in the sub modules with GL Control Account e.g. Accounts Payable balances with the AP Control account in the GL;
- Documentation of reconciliations conducted illustrating differences identified (between sub modules and GL and within sub modules), followup and disposition of all differences and signoff after full reconciliation completed without differences remaining;
- Monitor the speed and accuracy of the Interface processes, design and/or develop proposals to enhance efficiency.
- Examine batch processing reports and take corrective action;
- Contribute to confidence in the reliability of Corporate Financial data.
Examine overall system performance and develop proposals for improvement:
- Draft Business Case to justify financial investment required for relevant System Improvements;
- Contribute (based on approved proposal) to the development of new business policies or the material revision of existing policy;
- Design operating and/or financial procedures as part of the implementation of the new proposals.
- Supports other Finance/Accounting functions as necessary
Impact of Results
Accuracy in the data Interfaces will ensure both reliability and confidence in the UNDP financial information and will contribute to the overall completeness of the financial database. Failure to do the aforementioned could result in distorted data being distributed and will affect the accuracy of reports that are derived from such data.
Improvements in the module interfaces will decrease the level of effort and attendant cost required to rework data in the OFRM. It will also enable speedier responses to queries and other requests for information and maintain the credibility of OFRM as the corporate custodian of financial records.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Functional Competencies:
Technical
- Knowledge of UNDP business processes;
- Good understanding of best practice in managing account reconciliations;
- Excellent knowledge of the entire UNDP’s ERP System (ATLAS), including Report Generation;
- Knowledge of UNDP Financial Regulations and Rules;
- Ability to Deliver under Close Deadlines.
Relationship Building:
- Able to develop and maintain good working relationships with UNDP finance staff;
- Ability to both lead and work in Teams.
People Skills:
- Able to work effectively as part of a team of highly skilled people within the framework of the UN personnel system and with sensitivity to equity principles and cultural diversity;
- Superior Client-orientation and problem-solving skills.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced (Masters) University Degree in Business, or Public Administration, Finance/Accounting or a relevant discipline or a professional accounting qualification certificate from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy;
- Professionally qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years of relevant work experience in the area of resource management preferably both at the country office and headquarters levels;
- Expertise in the design and interpretation of UN Financial Policies;
- Experience of working with ERP systems - ideally with Atlas;
- Familiarity with module interface issues and batch control;
- Experience in the development and implementation of improvements to financial policy and procedures;
- Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS required.
Language:
- Proficiency in English, fluency in at least one other UN language would be highly desirable.
Attention to all applicants:
Long-listed candidates will be required to undergo the UNDP Advanced Accountancy & Finance Test.
Long-listed candidates will be required to undergo the UNDP Advanced Accountancy & Finance Test.
As part of the application submission process, candidates must submit and upload the following documents in one file (scanned copy):
- An updated and signed UNDP P11 form (please click English version). When completing your P11, please include email addresses for your Supervisors;
- Copies of any educational qualifications as reflected in the signed P11.