UNDP Jobs - 8217- Finance Associate

Finance Associate

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

100 Series

Starting Date :

28-Feb-2009

Application Deadline :

19-Jan-09 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

G-7 (ICS-7)

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

English Spanish

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year

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

Under the guidance of the Financial Management Advisor in RBLAC, the Finance Associate provides leadership in execution of financial services and preparation of financial reports and comparative analyses for COs and senior management including information related to programme and project financial status, analysis of income, expenditure, delivery rates, etc., consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. Support programme and project budgeting and accounting. Support to UNDP and project staff on project budgeting/accounting rules and procedures and to improvement of financial management.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Financial Management Support, Analysis and Reporting
Financial planning, budgeting and forecasting
On-going Transaction Processing
Internal Control and Risk Management
Finance Management Systems and other functions;

1. Financial Management Support, Analysis and Reporting

Provide RBLAC cash position analyses and fiscal year expenditure information to Bureau and COs for all on-going projects;
Create financial reports for the Bureau and COs in formats that meet their requirements and coordinates with them to clarify any outstanding financial or administrative issues or reconciliations;
Prepare financial reports and comparative analyses for Programme Managers, COs, UNOPS and other agencies including information related to programme and project financial status, analysis of income, expenditure, delivery rates, etc.;
Assists Programme Managers in closing COs, regional and sub-regional projects that are operationally complete and sends them to archives.

2. Financial planning, budgeting and forecasting

Provide timely, analytical support to the Bureau and Country Offices (COs) regarding any budget queries
Provide advice and report on project delivery to both the Bureau and COs on a regularly basis and advises Programmes Associates on financial tools, preparation of budgets and use of ATLAS;
Prepare cost-sharing apportionment and facilitates budget approval process;
Provide budget support to the Deputy Director through the formulation, monitoring, and updating of the Regional Programme
Identify discrepancies in proposed budget and actual expenditure and liaises with Regional Clusters to addressing them;
Provide Senior Management, and the Deputy Regional Director, with updated reports on the regional project budget allotment
Support the year-end closure exercise to ensure timely financial reporting of current year’s outputs/activities and timely commencement of following year’s.

3. On-going Transaction Processing

Monitor all availability and allocation of funds for RBLAC administrative budgets and allotments (including RCF and subregional programmes) to ensure that obligations and disbursements are made within the approved allocation levels against the appropriate account codes;
Provide support and guidance to Regional Programme and COs on financial issues;
Oversee the reimbursement of the Bureau and CO support costs;
Update approved RBF figures for LAC, compiles delivery estimates and rephrases uncommitted funds.

4. Internal Control and Risk Management

Monitor that appropriate internal controls are followed in accordance with the UNDP rules and Regulations;
Draft guidelines/instructions/ procedures for undertaking all of the afore functions;
Ensure that all RBLAC Country, National, Sub-Regional and Regional executed projects comply with the appropriate audit requirements;
Monitor financial data quality dashboard indicators

5. Finance Management Systems and other functions

Review application, data, or technical infrastructure transitions or upgrades;
Work closely with the RBLAC ICT Analyst to automate various reporting system in ATLAS
Monitors changes in UNDP programme and project budgeting and accounting;
Provides support to the Bureau and project staff on project budgeting/accounting rules and procedures and on ways and means of improving of financial management reporting;
Backstopping in the absence of colleagues in the unit.

The results expected from this position will play a key role in determining the pace of service delivery in financial management to RBLAC Regional Programme and Country Offices Financial advice and reporting will be made in the Bureau on a day-to-day basis based on the information and analysis of the incumbent and he/she will have to ensure that enough thought and analysis go into his/her recommendations to the Bureau on financial management matters. The results expected from this position will permit the proper functioning of all units at HQ and COs .

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 and provides helpful advice to others in the office
Ability to develop systems for structuring, codifying and providing access to information and knowledge
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 broad range of specialized activities related to financial resources management, including formulating budgets, maintaining Accounts Receivables and Accounts Payables, 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
Excellent organizational and administrative skills
Excellent analytical and strong communication skills both written and spoken
Ability to work in a team environment

Leadership and Self-Management

Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexity

Selected candidate will be required to take UNDP’s mandatory training courses on Prevention of Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority in the Workplace; The Gender Journey: Thinking Outside the Box; as well as the online UN Staff Security Training course within 2 months of their assuming their functions in this position.

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 7 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.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in both written and spoken English and Spanish.
Knowledge of another UN Official Language an asset.

Successful completion of UN Accounting exam is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.