UNDP Jobs - 54403- Finance Analyst

Finance Analyst

Location :

Dakar, SENEGAL

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-May-2015

Application Deadline :

17-Mar-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

English French

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

UNDP Senegal Country Office has recently received a request from the Government for UNDP to implement under Direct Execution Modality, an Emergency Community Development Programme (PUDC) which will cover most of the regions in the country. In its new Plan Senegal Emergent (PSE), the Government of Senegal has spelled out its strategy for an accelerated economic growth by 2035 and this project fits into this strategy.
The overall objective of the project is to transform the living conditions of the people and fight against social inequalities. The project has four key components:

Improve access of the population to basic socio-economic infrastructure and production equipment. This covers the rehabilitation and the construction of feeder roads; the provision of village/rural water supply (drilling of boreholes, overhead water tanks etc.); rural electrification and the provision of agricultural production equipment;
Enhance the productivity of the rural communities through improved agricultural production and processing system and access to credit;
Strengthen the capacity of professional groups and local actors in rural entrepreneurship, leadership and project management;
Put in place a GIS system for monitoring to strengthen the national system of monitoring and evaluation development programmes and projects.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Procurement Specialist (Team Leader) the Finance Analyst is responsible for effective delivery of financial services, transparent utilization of financial resources and management of the project Finance Unit. He/she analyzes and interprets the financial rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues. The Finance Analyst promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations

The Finance Analyst supervises and leads the staff of the Finance Unit.

The Finance Analyst works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and project teams in the CO and with UNDP HQs staff and Government officials ensuring successful CO performance in Finance.

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of Key Functions:

Implementation of operational and financial management strategies;
Projects’ budget management and organization of the cost-recovery system;
Control of PUDC accounts;
Control of PUDC cash management;

Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.Ensures implementation of operational and financial management strategies, and adapts processes and procedures, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Full compliance of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and audit follow up with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies; implementation of the effective internal control, proper design and functioning of the financial resources management system;
PUDC Finance business processes mapping and elaboration/establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance, control of the workflows in the Finance Unit;
Continuous analysis and monitoring of the financial situation, presentation of forecasts for the development project;
Elaboration and implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies;
Routinely monitors financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigates anomalies or unusual transactions. Informs supervisors and other UNDP staff at Headquarters of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.

Manages the project budgets and organizes an optimal cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results:

Financial resources management through planning, guiding, controlling of the resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
Preparation and monitoring of budgets of management projects;
Establishment of the development projects’ budgets preparation/modification monitoring system, control of budgetary status versus authorized spending limits (ASL) and budgets delivery levels;
Sending project budget to KK if authorized by the Senior Management (can be done only on the basis of signed prodocs and project budgets);
Elaboration of proper mechanisms to eliminate deficiencies in budget management;
Preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the services provided by UNDP.

Ensures proper control of PUDC accounts focusing on achievement of the following results:

Elaboration 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; MPOs, travel claims and other entitlements are duly processed, receipting of goods and services and establishment of accruals are properly done in compliance with IPSAS and UNDP policies and procedures.. ;
Manager level 1 in Atlas;
Control of accounts closure;
Approval of vendors in Atlas;
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;
Control of the Accounts Receivables for the PUDC project and maintenance of the General Ledger.

. Ensures proper PUDC cash management focusing on achievement of the following results:

Timely review of cash position of the project to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements. Timely identification and recording of receipts for income application;
In close collaboration with CO finance unit, monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions and investigation of anomalies or unusual transactions. Provision of information to supervisors and other UNDP staff at HQ on the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained..;
Performing Paycycle manager role in Atlas;
Timely preparation of monthly cash flow forecast for the project’s use.. Liaison with CO to obtain estimate of their cash requirements;
Role as cashier for cash disbursements made on site.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO and guidance to all stakeholders on financial matters focusing on achievement of the following results:

Organization/conduct of training for the operations/programme/projects staff on financial management;
Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in Finance;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall CO efficiency in financial resources management and success in introduction and implementation of operational strategies. Accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial information, timely and appropriate delivery of services ensure client satisfaction and enhance UNDP credibility in use of financial resources.

Competencies

Competencies and Critical Success Factors

Functional Competencies

Building Partnerships

Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues;
Establishes and nurtures positive communication with partners.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
Documents and analyses 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/Technical Expertise

Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position;
Ability to formulate and manage budgets; manage contributions and investments; manage transactions; and conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery;
Possesses knowledge of organizational policies and procedures and applies them consistently in work tasks ;
Identifies new and better approaches to work processes and incorporates the same in his/her work;
Analyzes the requirements and synthesizes proposals;
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 tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Promoting Organizational Change and Development

Researches and documents ‘best practices’ in organizational change and development within and outside the UN system;
Demonstrates ability to diagnose problems and identifies and communicates processes to support change initiatives.

Design and Implementation of Management Systems

Make recommendations relative to work-processing approaches and procedures which would lead to more efficient systems design.

Client Orientation

Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct 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;
Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly.

Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management

Gathers, analyzes and disseminates information on best practice in accountability and results-based management systems.

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:

Masters Degree in Accounting/Finance, Business or Public Administration or a professional accounting qualification from an internationally recognised institute of accountancy. Professionally qualified accountants from an internationally recognised institute of accountancy will have an advantage;
UNDP Advanced Accountancy & Finance Test required.

Experience:

5 years of relevant experience in providing financial management and accounting advisory services, managing staff and operational systems;
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 and ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft;
Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required for external candidates.

Language Requirements:

Perfect fluency in French (written and spoken); and
A good knowledge of English.