Antecedentes

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director (Operations) , the program finance specialist is responsible for effective delivery of programme finance services ensuring effective and transparent utilization of financial resources and integrity of financial services in the Country Office. The Programme Finance Specialist promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations, UNDP’s Results Based Management (RBM) Framework; financial resources management; and CO support to capacity development to support national execution and direct execution; and NEX/NGO audit.
 
The Program Finance Specialist will work closely with the Country Office management team to align their program resource planning and project execution/implementation practices with corporate best practices and standards, and have oversight of the CO’s overall resources and advise Management as required.
 
The Programme Finance Specialist supervises and leads the programme finance staff. The Program Finance Specialist will work in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations teams of the CO and UNDP HQs staff resolving complex programme and operations-related issues, to successfully build up the capacity of the newly established Service Center to deliver quality services to our clients including UN agencies and to contribute effectively to the CO’s resource mobilization efforts.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Summary of key functions:

Implementation of operational strategies 
Implementation and support to Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT)
CO programme finance management and internal/external capacity development 
Coordinates and facilitate overall process of NEX-NGO/DEX audit
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, guidance to all stakeholders on financial matters

1. Ensures implementation of operational strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:

  •  Full compliance with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, 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.
  • CO Finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with office management. 
  •  Implementation of cost sharing and trust fund agreements 
  •  Elaboration of proposals and implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies in consultations with office management 
  •  Continuous analysis and monitoring of the financial situation, presentation of forecasts for development projects 
  •  Routinely monitors financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigates anomalies. 
  •  Spearheads capacity building through training and advice in terms of system, business processes, NEX processes, etc. to national implementing agents
  •  Builds national capacity through design and conduct of specialized training for national counterparts’ administrative and financial staff on NEX guidelines and in the preparation of all the required financial reports.
     

2. Ensures Implementation and support to the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT) focusing on achievement of the following results:

  •  Plays key role in the roll out of HACT 
  •  Prepare and submit the HACT assurance plan
  •  Serve as the focal person on HACT for the UN Country Office.
  •  Ensure the Implementation of the HACT assurance plan  
  •  Trains office and IP staff members as appropriate on HACT implementation
  •  Monitor the implementation of HACT and recommend solutions to challenges in implementing HACT
  •  Conduct spot checks with Implementing Partners and report on findings 
  •  Prepare an operational guide for Implementing Partners on the Implementation of HACT

3. Ensures effective CO programme finance management and internal/external capacity development functions focusing on the achievement of the following results:

  •  Propagates sound program finance and project management skills and expertise through a combination of formal training and ongoing guidance to Country Office staff. Takes a lead role in the effort to professionalize the CO staff in project finance management and by supporting capacity building efforts and certification of CO staff. 
  •  Implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented program finance resources management system. Identification of operational and financial problems, proposal of solutions. 
  •  Analysis of requirements and synthesis of proposals on proper mechanisms to build internal and external Programme management capacity 
  •  Oversees the process of balance scorecard and its implementation including providing support to target setting, reporting and analysis and serves as the overall coordinator in the preparation/updating of the CO’s targets in the Results Scorecard; Monitors and follows-up achievement of the CO’s targets in the Results Scorecard 
  •  Oversees data integrity in the Programme Management Dashboard of ATLAS by providing guidance and hands-on training to staff to ensure that Programme/project formulation processes in the system are done according to the criteria set for the color-coded ratings;  
  •  Periodic monitoring of dashboards and exceptions, identification of the remedial actions. 
  •  Spearheads capacity building through training and advice in terms of system, business processes, NEX processes, etc. to national implementing agents
  •  Builds national capacity through design and conduct of specialized training for national counterparts’ administrative and financial staff on NEX guidelines and in the preparation of all the required financial reports 
  •  Trains Programme users in the overall operation of Atlas Results Management, Finance and Procurement tracks, particularly those concerning budget formulation and revision and purchase requisition and reporting and analysis tools to maximum effect 
  •  Provides support to capacity development for National Execution and Direct Execution of programmes/projects.
  •  Keeps up-dated knowledge as to changes in UNDP programme and project budgeting and accounting. 
  •  Identifies best practices in program finance management and shares them through the practice networks
  •  Manager level 2 in Atlas

4. Ensures the Coordination and facilitation of the  overall process of NEX-NGO/ and DEX audit exercises and focusing on the achievement of the following results:

  • Prepare the TOR for the NGO/NIM and DEX audits.
  •  Manage the processes involved in the  recruitment of Auditors for the NIM/NGO audit
  •  Prepare and submit the audit plan through the CRADS system
  •  Liaison between the Implementing Partners and the auditors during the audit process 
  •  Review draft audit and final reports before submission to OAR
  •  Upload the final audit reports to the CRADS system
  •  Ensure the timely submission of NEX-NGO and DEX audit reports to OAPR
  •  Monitor the implementation of follow-up actions to address audit recommendations

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

  • Advice to Project staff on UNDP administrative and NEX reporting, in particular, on budgetary issues.
  • Organization/conduct of training for the Operations/Project/Programme Staff on financial management and RBM.
  •  Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in programme and programme finance.
  •  Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Competencias

Corporate Competencies:

  •  Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
  •  Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
  •  Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

  • Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
  •  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

  •  Good knowledge of accounting
  •  Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manage contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery
  •  Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change
  •  Excellent IT skills, knowledge of Atlas

Management and Leadership

  •  Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
  •  Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
  •  Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills
  •  Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

UNDP Accounting and Finance Training and Certification

Prince2 training and certification

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education: 

  • Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics or related field.

Experience: 

  • 5 years of relevant experience at the national and international level in providing management advisory services and/or 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.

Language Requirements: 

  • Fluency in the English.