UNDP Jobs - 58589- Finance Specialist

Finance Specialist

Location :

Harare, ZIMBABWE

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Oct-2015

Application Deadline :

11-Aug-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One 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 Project Manager, the Programme Finance Specialist is responsible for the delivery of programme finance services ensuring effective and transparent utilization of financial resources and integrity of financial services of the ZRBF. He/she analyzes and interprets the financial rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues. The Programme Finance Specialist promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Programme Finance Specialist provides advice and strategic support to programme finance staff and programme/project managers. The Programme Finance Specialist works in close collaboration with the Business Development and Oversight Unit, Programme and Operations teams in the CO and UNDP HQ for resolving complex programme and operations-related issues, ensuring successful CO performance in Finance.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure the strategic direction of Program Finance management focusing on achievement of the following results:

Compliance of operations with UNDP rules, regulations and policies, implementation of corporate operational strategies, and monitoring utilization of external resources;
Provision of advice on strategies, policies and plans affecting ZRBF program finance managements, delivery of practice advisory, knowledge and learning services;
CO business processes mapping and establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance for ZRBF;
Continuous analysis and monitoring of projects funded under the ZRBF.

Ensure effective and accurate financial resources management and oversight, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Financial analysis and oversight for all resources managed by the ZRBF and provision of high-quality professional advice to the Project Manager and Senior Management;
Review of projects financial reports to donors and ensure transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas;
Regularly monitor programme delivery through ATLAS, run relevant reports, and prepare financial spreadsheets, reports, statements and/or other supporting documentation;
Identify and report on budgetary shortfalls/surpluses as well as results based indicators to ensure effective and efficient control and delivery of the ZRBF.

Manage the budgets of the ZRBF focusing on achievement of the following results:

Supervise and guide project staff on the creation of Project budget in ATLAS as well as financial closure of projects contributing to ZRBF;
Regular analysis and reporting on the delivery status of project;
Elaboration of proper mechanisms to eliminate deficiencies in budget management internally as well as by grant recipients.

Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, guidance to programme staff on financial matters focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Advice to project staff on UNDP administrative and budgetary reporting issues;
Organize/conduct training for Project/Program Staff on (ATLAS) Financial management and RBM;
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 and Program finance;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
Perform any other duty as assigned by the Project Manager and the CD.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Building Partnerships:

Identifying and building partnerships

Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build alliances;
Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners;
Displays initiative, sets challenging outputs for him/herself and willingly accepts new work assignments.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

Developing tools and mechanisms

Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
Participates in the development of mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:
In-depth knowledge of own discipline

Understands advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines (financial resources management);
Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit;
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
Continually looking for ways to enhance financial performance in the office.

Promoting Organizational Change and Development:

Assisting the individuals to cope with change

Performs appropriate work analysis and assists in redesign to establish clear standards for implementation.

Design And Implementation of Management Systems:

Designing and implementing management system

Makes recommendations regarding operation of systems within organizational units;
Identifies and recommends remedial measures to address problems in systems design or implementation.

Client Orientation:

Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

Anticipates client needs;
Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective;
Solicits feedback on service provision and quality.

Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management:

Input to the development of standards and policies

Provides inputs to the development of organizational standards for accountability.

Core Competencies:

Leadership:

Ability to persuade others to follow.

Innovation:

Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

People management:

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Communication:

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Delivery:

Ability to get things done.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's University Degree in Finance/Accounting, Business, or Public Administration;
A professional accounting qualification from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy. (Otherwise, Candidates will be required to take the UNDP Advanced Accounting and Finance Test).

Experience:

At least 5 years of relevant experience in providing financial management advisory services;
Solid financial Management skills in ATLAS or similar ERP;
Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required;
Experience with Multi donor funding mechanisms required;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spread sheet and database packages.

Language:

Fluency in English with good verbal and written skills.