Background

Poverty reduction and inclusive growth have been the priorities of the Royal Government of Cambodia as reflected in its various policy documents including National Strategic Development Plans (NSDPs) and Rectangular Strategies.

Cambodia is in transition to Lower Middle Income Country status and has entered into a demographic bonus period; an emerging priority is to invest in the people and systems for a long-term sustainable development and growth.

In alignment with the emerging needs of the country as spelled out in the NSDP 2014-2018 and the Rectangular Strategy Phase III and the UNDP strategic plan 2014-2017, UNDP in Cambodia is shifting towards a policy-oriented programme which focuses on inclusive and sustainable growth, governance, gender equality and building resilience against climate change. 

UNDP’s Linking Policy and Practice (LPP) for Accelerating Millennium Development Goal 1 (MDG1) project (2011 – 2015) has been established with the aim to provide evidence–based policy options for inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth, and support human capital development in Cambodia including institutional capacity development. An emerging role of UNDP is to systematically engage with government at the level of policy research, analysis, and dialogue, and policy evaluation, in response to increasing demand from various line ministries.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Policy and Research Coordinator of LPP, the Project and Finance Associate will perform Finance and Administrative services for the effective and efficient implementation of LPP activities as well as support the design, planning and monitoring of the project. 

The Project and Finance Associate will work in close collaboration with the government counterpart as well as the Programme and Operation team in the country Office to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

• Support to implementation of project/operations strategies;
• Support to project accounting and finance management in compliance with UNDP financial policies and procedures;
• Provide Administrative support  to the project;
• Support to the facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

1. Support to the implementation of project and operations strategies:

• Full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations and other relevant policies on financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations; implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system;
• Provision of inputs for preparation of cost sharing, core fund and other agreements; follow up on contributions within the Country Office (CO) resource mobilization efforts;
• Maintain the inventory of non-expendable equipment for the project and prepare inventory form;
• Support to project planning and monitoring of project implementation activities;
• Conduct field monitoring and coaching visits and provide appropriate interventions and feedbacks to improve performance and efficiency;
• Assist in preparation of quarterly and annual work plans, progress reports and budgets for all project activities / components;
• Compile and prepare briefing and presentation materials, speeches, background information and documentation for meetings and missions.

2. Support to project accounting and finance management in compliance with UNDP financial policies and procedures:

• Assist preparing and operating project accounting and finance such as preparing project annual and quarterly budget planning, produce annual and quarterly finance report; 
• Preparing of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports for project; processing of Purchase Order (PO) and non-PO vouchers for development projects and maintaining proper control of all supporting documents for payments;
• Ensure correctness and validity of payment in terms of compliance to relevant policies & procedures, proper authorization, sufficient supporting documents, e.g. receipts, invoices, signed agreements, and with proper account code;
• Prepare budget revision and establish it in the web-based management system, Atlas, and format required by Country Office;
• Assist in all financial matters of the project including expenditure monitoring against the approved annual work plans and proper utilization of funds;
• Contribute to budget reversion and keep record of all financial transactions; generate relevant reports from Atlas;
• Ensure that all expense records and documents are maintained under the guidance of the Policy & Research Coordinator and UNDP finance rules and regulation;
• Support the preparation of cash advance and clearance for project events (organization of workshops, study tour, and travels, etc.);
• Assist preparing other periodical financial report for the project as well as donor financial report;
• Coordinate audit exercise made by both internal/external auditor including compilation of data (if applicable);
• Maintain good filing system.

3. Provide administrative support to the project:

• Responsible for the logistic arrangement of the internal and external events such as internal meetings, workshops, seminar,  information sharing session, field mission, consultation session with government counterparts and other stakeholders;
• Prepare the events planning, follow the checklists and implement each steps in a timely manner to ensure the delivery of the plan;
• Facilitate to get inputs from the project team and work closely with the procurement unit to ensure the timely execution of the event arrangement plan, contact to the translator/interpreter, and other suppliers;
• Assist in preparation of international and national missions, and render logistic support.

4. Support to the facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing:

• Participation in the organization of training for the office staff on programme/operations related issues;
• Assist in providing guidance to the project staff on financial matters;
• Offer guidance on financial regulation including Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) calculation, preparation of petty cash and advance report;
• Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in project account and finance;
• Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice, especially within the CO and project partner regarding UNDP financial policies and procedures.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall project/CO efficiency in project financial management and success in implementation of project/programme/operations strategies. 

In addition, the key result of the post will strengthen UNDP/LPP project in compliance to the International accounting standard, accurate analysis and presentation of financial information enhances UNDP position as a strong development partner.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating / Safeguarding Ethics and Integrity
• 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
• Informed and transparent decision making

Functional Competencies:

Advocacy / Advancing Policy Oriented Agenda: Support the preparation of information for advocacy

• Identifies relevant information for advocacy for a variety of audiences
• Makes research of contacts in the media, government, private sector, donors, other agencies, civil society in other stakeholders for UNDP’s advocacy efforts
• Supports in identifying opportunities for advocating UNDP’s mandate

Results-based Programme Development and Management: Contributing to results through provision of information

• Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration
• Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation
• Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals
• Participates in the formulation of project proposals

Building Strategic Partnerships: Maintaining information and databases

• Analyzes general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives
• Maintains databases of donor information
• Tracks and reports on mobilized resources

Innovation and Marketing new Approaches: Implementing processes and uses products

• Documents and tracks innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches
• Tracks bottlenecks, problems and issues, and proposes solutions
• Responds positively to new approaches

Resource Mobilization: Providing information for resource mobilization strategies

• Maintains information/databases on potential and actual donors
• Maintains database of project files
• Provides data and information needed for preparation of project documents

Promoting Organizational learning and Knowledge Sharing: Basic research and analysis

• Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things
• Documents innovative strategies and new approaches
• Identifies and communicates opportunities to promote learning and knowledge sharing
• Develops awareness of the various internal/external learning and knowledge-sharing resources

Job Knowledge and Technical Expertise: Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures

• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
• Identifies new and better approaches to work processes and incorporates same in own work
• 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
• Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools, and utilizes these regularly in work assignments

Organizational Leadership and Direction

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals: Research and analysis

• Identifies relevant information for advocacy for UNDP’s goals for a variety of audiences
• Maintains a network of contacts in the media and civil society, for use in UNDP’s advocacy efforts
• Support the identification of opportunities for advocating for UNDP’s mandate

Client Orientation: Maintains effective client relationships

• Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients
• Responds to client needs promptly

Required Skills and Experience

• Secondary Education. University Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics, or related field would be desirable, but it is not a requirement;
• At least 7 years of relevant experience related to administrative, finance and/or programme/project operations including financial report;
• Experience in assisting project designing and implementation, reporting, and monitoring development projects;
• Experience of budget development, budget monitoring and financial management;
• Experience in event organisation, such as workshop, conference and consultation meeting;
• Previous experience in providing capacity development or providing support regarding rule or guidance to the project counterparts would be an asset;
• Proven   good   communication    experience   with    various stakeholders including governmental institutions, civil society organizations, donors, etc.;
• Familiarity with UN/UNDP financial and technical rules, regulations and procedures relevant to project implementation are preferable;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), experience in handling of web based management systems; 
• Fluency in Khmer and English (spoken and written).