UNDP Jobs - 15203- Finance Associate

Finance Associate

Location :

Abuja, NIGERIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

26-Apr-2010

Application Deadline :

19-Mar-10 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

4-5 years, with possibilty of yearly 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

Despite 10 years of uninterrupted civil rule and three successive general elections including a successful transfer of power from one civilian administration to another, Nigeria continues to face the challenge of conducting elections that meet both regional and international standards of free, fair and credible elections. Consequently, soon after his inauguration as President in May 2007, President Umaru Yar’adua made commitment to reform Nigeria’s electoral system and strengthen democratic governance. Electoral reform is currently under way, and hopefully will be concluded before the next general elections in 2011. UNDP and other donors – the EU, DFID and CIDA have initiated Democratic Governance for Development (DGD), in response to the request from the Nigerian government to assist in working towards achieving a more credible electoral process.

This initiative will enable the Nigerian Government to work closely with Civil Society Organizations and other political key players in a six distinct and inter-related programming components such as :

1. Strengthening of National Assembly
2. Strengthening of Political Parties
3. Improvement of the Electoral Process
4. Increased Capacity and Performance of Civil Society
5. Reinforcing the role of the Media
6. Empowerment of Women

DGD in Nigeria will focus on Electoral Cycle Support and Deepening Democracy within the framework of the Joint Donor basket Fund (JDBF) 2 that will support the electoral process and consolidation of democracy from 2009 -2014. The programme period will be covered for 5 years.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and supervision of the Operations Manager and direct supervisor, the Finance Associate ensures effective execution of financial services and processes in CO and transparent utilization of financial resources. The Finance Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Finance Associate can supervise clerical and support staff of the Finance Unit. The Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and projects’ staff in the CO and with UNDP HQs staff for resolving finance-related issues and information exchange.

III. Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of Key Functions:

Implementation of operational strategies
Administration of budgets and cost-recovery system
Accounting and administrative support
Global payroll
CO cash management
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

1. Ensures implementation of operational strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:

Full compliance with UN/UNDP rules and regulations of financial processes, financial records and reports and audit follow up; implementation of the effective internal control framework.
CO Finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management.
Preparation of cost sharing and trust fund agreements, follow up on contributions within the CO resource mobilization efforts.

2. Ensures administration of budgets and functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results:

Preparation and modifications of budgets for UNDP management projects, follow-up with HQs on ASL for management projects.
Presentation of researched information for planning and status of financial resources of the CO.
Sending project budget to KK if authorized by the Senior Management (can be done only on the basis of signed prodocs and project budgets).
Timely preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the services provided by UNDP, implementation of the income tracking system and follow up on cost recovery.

3. Provides accounting and administrative support to the Finance Unit and performs Global payroll functions focusing on achievement of the following results:

Proper control of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports for NEX projects; preparation of all types of vouchers; Pay Cycle and payments execution.
Approval of vendors in Atlas (if a senior member of the Finance team).
Global payrolls processing in Atlas.
Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas; payrolls are duly prepared and processed; travel claims, MPOs and other entitlements are duly processed
Timely accounts closure
Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers. Timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues.
Maintenance of the Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects and follow-up with partners on contributions, deposits creation in Atlas and their application to AR pending items.
Timely VAT reimbursements, payment of GLOC by the Government.

4. Ensures proper CO cash management functioning focusing on achievement of the following results:

Alternate to Finance Associate (ICS-7) for timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements. Timely identification and recording of receipts for income application. Alternate to Finance Associate (ICS-7) for daily review of zero-balance account bank statements in Atlas to monitor imprest level; identification and recording of contributions.
Transaction and stop payment initiation on internet banking systems.
Preparation of monthly UN exchange rate report to Treasury.
Timely and accurate preparation of bank reconciliations.
Alternate to Finance Associate (ICS-7) for timely preparation of monthly cashflow forecast for use by Operations Manager/ Finance Analyst. Liaison with UN Agencies to obtain estimate of their cash requirement.
Initiation of bank transfers and deals in Atlas.

5. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on Finance.
Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in Finance.
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

IV. Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall execution of the CO financial services and success in implementation of operational strategies. Accurate analysis and presentation of financial information ensures proper financial processes in the CO.

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

Knowledge Management and Learning

Shares knowledge and experience
Encourages office staff to share knowledge and contribute to UNDP Practice Areas
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to perform a variety of specialized activities related to financial resources management, including formulating budgets, maintaining Accounts Receivables and Accounts Payables, making transactions, reporting.
Sound knowledge of financial rules and regulations, accounting
Strong IT skills
Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system.

Leadership and Self-Management

Focuses on result for the client
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
Demonstrates openness to change
Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view

UNDP Accounting and Finance Training and certification

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary Education with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance. University Degree in Business or Public Administration would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

5 to 6 years of progressively responsible finance experience is required at the national or international level.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.
Fluency in written and spoken English is essential