Background

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law. Under the broader framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in close coordination with other UN agencies, UNDP is supporting Afghan people’s aspiration for peace, prosperity, and sustainability. UNDP is currently implementing its flagship crisis response programme, ABADEI (Area Based Approach to Development Emergency Initiatives), as part of the ongoing UN-led response to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and the breakdown of Afghanistan’s economy following the August 2021 shift in power.

As a trusted, long-term partner of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund, GF), UNDP’s value proposition lies in providing an integrated package of development solutions to strengthen institutions to deliver health services. Through its contributions as interim Principal Recipient (PR) and provider of technical assistance in over 53 countries since 2003, UNDP’s provision of integrated policy, implementation and capacity development support to countries has yielded significant health and development results in challenging operating environments. Within the HIV, Health and Development Group, Bureau of Programme and Policy Support, Global Policy Network the Global Fund – Health Implementation Support Team (GF/HIST) is a dedicated team providing support to UNDP Country Offices implementing health and development programmes. 

In Afghanistan, UNDP is the interim Principal Recipient  for the three diseases, HIV, TB and malaria and health system strengthening (the Grant).  For effective implementation of the Global Fund resources, UNDP Afghanistan has established a Program Management Unit (PMU), which is responsible for the day-to-day overall programme management, risk management, policy guidance, financial accountability, procurement of goods, including health products and services, strengthening of the national pharmaceutical and laboratory.

The Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the Sub-recipients (SRs) of the Global Fund project, the Country Office operations unit, the program and operations teams in the PMU in ensuring successful implementation and oversight of GF programme resources and financial management. The Finance Associate reports to the Finance Analyst and Finance Specialist.

Duties and Responsibilities

ONLY CURRENT AFGHANISTAN NATIONALS AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND WILLING TO TRAVEL IN KABUL AND THROUGHOUT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN AFGHANISTAN, ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION. ALL OTHER APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

The incumbent will undertake the following:

  • Ensures the administratio of the Global Fund Grant Budget.
  • Provides accounting and administrative support to the PMU operations division
  • Ensures proper project cash management function
  • Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

1. Ensures administration of the Global Fund Grant budget focusing on achievement of the  following results:

  • Full compliance with UNDP/GF rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations; and implementation of effective internal controls.
  • Preparation follow-up and modifications of consolidated grant and SR budgets,
  • Implementation of the control mechanism for Global Fund program budgets through monitoring budgets preparation and modifications, expenditures versus budgeted amounts and, maintenance of the General Ledger.
  • Sending project budget to KK if authorized by the Senior Management
  • Timely preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the services provided to the SRs, elaboration and implementation of the income tracking system and follow up on cost recovery.

2. Provides accounting and administrative support to the PMU operations division focusing on  achievement of the following results:

  • Proper control of the supporting documents for payments, review of financial reports for the GF project.
  • Approval of vendors in Atlas (as a senior member of the Finance team).
  • 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; travel claims, MPOs and other entitlements are duly processed.
  • Coordination and review of 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.
  • Timely VAT reimbursements, payment of GLOC by the Government.
  • Proper receipting of goods and services and establishment of accruals.

3. Ensures proper project cash management functioning focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • 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.
  • Daily review of zero-balance account bank statements in Atlas to monitor interest level; identification and recording of contributions.
  • Alternate to Finance Analyst as primary contact with local bank management on routine operational matters including negotiation of exchange rate on replenishment. May serve as member of bank signatory panel upon decision of Resident Representative.
  • Timely and accurate preparation of bank reconciliations.
  • Selecting bank transfers and deals for approval and settlements.
  • Performing Pay cycle manager role in Atlas.
  • Timely preparation of monthly cash flow forecast for use by Finance Analyst.
  • Alternate as cashier for cash disbursements made on site.

 4. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the PMU focusing on the following results:

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

Perform other duties within your functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.

Competencies

Core Competency

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously

LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility

LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination

LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner

LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

People Management: UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Finance - Accounting (General)   

  • Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks, standards, regulations, policies and trends, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations in Sub receipts (SR) management.

Finance - Financial planning and budgeting            

  • Ability to support in creating and managing the processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analysing and reporting especial focus on the SR planning and  budgeting

Finance - Financial reporting and analysis

  • Ability to understand changes in regulatory, legal and ethical frameworks and standards for financial reporting in the public sector.
  • Ability to extract, evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful and coherent manner to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring of the SRs for the GF

Finance - Finance Business partnering

  • Able to support business units and add value by innovating and providing solutions to financial issues/queries, including through FAQs, financial tools, advisory with the special attention to the SR implementation and non-finance colleagues for whom the service is being provided.

Finance - Budget management  

  • Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets

Business management - Knowledge Facilitation

  • Ability for knowledge sharing to the project finance and programme colleagues including the subgrantees.

Business Management - Client Orientation

  • Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, assist in providing consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs

Required Skills and Experience

UNDP STRONGLY ENCOURAGES QUALIFIED WOMEN TO APPLY FOR AVAILABLE POSITIONS FOR WHICH THEY MEET THE STATED MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Application Requirement

  • All Applicants MUST complete and attach the UNDP Personal History-P-11 Form (found here) to their applications in the vacancy site.
  • Submission of personal resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) will not be acceptable and candidates who fail to attach the above required P-11 form will not be considered.

Min. Academic Education            

  • Secondary education.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance, Development and /or Business Administration or other related fields would be an  asset.

Min. years of relevant Work experience

  • With High School, six (6)  years of previous relevant experience working for national and/or international organizations in the area of finance administration.
  • Alternatively, if in possession of bachelor’s degree, three (3) years of relevant experience in finance administration would be required.

Required skills and competencies            

  • Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  • 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-controlManaging conflict.
  • Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others.
  • Informed and transparent decision making.

Desired additional skills and competencies        

  • Knowledge of Global Fund’s financial policies and procedures, is an asset.
  • Experience with ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft, is an asset.
  • Knowledge and experience working in the UN or UNDP rules, regulations, policies and procedures is an asset.

Required Language(s)

  • Fluency in English  with written and verbal communication, is required
  •  Fluency in Pashto and/or Dari is required

Professional Certificates              

  • Internationally recognized accounting certification is highly desirable

ONLY CURRENT AFGHANISTAN NATIONALS AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND WILLING TO TRAVEL IN KABUL AND THROUGHOUT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN AFGHANISTAN, ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION. ALL OTHER APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.