Jobs - 24510- UN Women: Programme Finance Associate (Open to Ka

UN Women: Programme Finance Associate (Open to Kazakhstan citizens only)

Location :

Almaty, KAZAKHSTAN

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

22-Aug-2011

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

GS-7

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English Russian

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

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Operations Manager, the Programme Finance Associate provides leadership in execution of programme finance services ensuring effective and transparent utilization of financial resources and integrity of financial services. The Programme Finance Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UN Women rules and regulations.

The Programme Finance Associate leads the project support staff. The Programme Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations teams in the SRO and UN Women HQ for resolving complex programme and operations-related issues.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Administration and implementation of operational strategies
Support to SRO programme management, effective cost recovery
Support to implementation of the resource mobilization strategy
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, guidance to all stakeholders on financial matters

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

Full compliance with UN/UNDP/UN Women 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.
SRO Finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with office management.
Implementation of cost sharing and trust fund agreements.

2. Provides support to SRO programme management, ensures the optimal cost recovery focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Development and follow up on Programme Portfolio Pipeline and Project Tree in Atlas. Entry of data of new grants into Atlas in the form of Annual Work Plans (AWPs), monitoring of AWPs status.
Generate award in Atlas.
Sending project budget to KK (if authorized and on the basis of signed project documents and project budgets).
Oversee Atlas matching, implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system, control mechanism for development projects through monitoring budgets preparation and modifications, budgetary status versus ASL, follow up with HQs on ASL for development projects, maintenance of the General Ledger.
Provision of the information/reports on the situation in programme, identification of operational and financial problems, proposal of solutions.
Accuracy verification of Combined Delivery Reports
Regular monitoring of the SRO delivery
Provision of advice on reporting
Preparation of reports including donor reports
Verification and reconciliation of various expenditures reports from the SRO, HQ and Executing Agencies.
Periodic monitoring of dashboards and exceptions, identification of the remedial actions in coordination with the supervisor.
Provision of researched information for the audit of projects, implementation of audit recommendations.

3. Provides accounting and financial support to the SRO focusing on achievement of the following results:

Proper control and filing of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports for EECA projects; preparation of all types of vouchers.
Approval of vendors in Atlas.
Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas; travel claims, MPOs and other entitlements are duly processed.
Act as Finance User in Atlas (Create payment vouchers, oversee Atlas matching, route the non PO voucher to an approving manager for approval.
Request through RPD, security profiles in ARGUS.
Timely 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.
Management of cash receipts and petty cash.
Follow up with UNDP on VAT reimbursements.

4. Provides support to implementation of the resources mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:

Drafting of cost sharing and trust fund agreements and obtaining of clearances from HQ if necessary.
Monitoring of cost-sharing contributions, preparation of AR pending items, application of deposits against prepared pending items.
Maintenance of the Accounts Receivables for CIS projects and follow-up with partners on contributions.
Advice to Programme and Project Staff on different donor reporting requirements; monitoring of financial reports to be submitted to donors.

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

Guidance to the UN Women project field offices on routine implementation of projects, tracking use of financial resources.
Advice to project staff on UN Women administrative and NGO reporting, in particular, on budgetary issues.
Organization 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.

The key results have an impact on the overall SRO efficiency in programme, smooth running of finances and success in implementation of programme strategies and smooth running. Accurate analysis and presentation of information enhances UN Women position as a strong development partner. The information provided facilitates decision making of the management.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UN Women’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
Encourages office staff to share knowledge and contribute to UN Women Practice Areas
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to perform a wide range of varied, inter-related complex financial services
Ability to extract, interpret and analyze data and resolve operational problems
Ability to work with minimum supervision
Ability to supervise and train support staff
Ability to plan and organize work
Good knowledge of Results Management Guide and Toolkit
Sound knowledge of financial rules and regulations, accounting
Strong IT skills, Atlas
Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems

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
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view

UNDP Accounting and Finance Training and Certification

Prince2 training and certification

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary Education with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance.
University Degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences and Social Sciences desirable, but not a requirement.

Experience:

At least 7 years of progressively responsible financial experience are 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:

Fluency in the UN and national language of the duty station.

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN WOMEN Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from:

http://www.UN Women.org/attachments/about/employment/UN WOMEN_personal_history_form_P11.doc

Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN WOMEN P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.