Job Purpose and Organizational Context

 UNDP has been supporting the Nepalese people in their struggle against poverty since it opened an in-country office in 1963. Much of this support has gone to building up the capacity of government agencies, civil society and community groups to fight poverty, and to bringing these groups and Nepal's donors together to design and implement successful poverty alleviation projects.

In parallel to the roll-out of its new Country Programme, 2018-2022, UNDP Nepal is reorganizing internally and moving towards strategically repositioning UNDP’s global contributions in support of the Sustainable Development Goals and collaboration with national development partners.  Nepal is accelerating its agenda of federalization while reconciling aspects of its Constitution which have implications for how UNDP engage with central and local level authorities.  Meanwhile, Nepal’s GNI continues to grow, making graduation from LDC status a scenario for which UNDP needs to begin planning and adapting to different models of development cooperation.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Programme Finance Analyst,  the Programme Finance Associate ensures effective execution of financial services and processes in the Country Office (CO) and transparent utilization of financial resources. The Programme Finance Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Programme Finance Associate can supervise clerical and support staff. The Programme Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme, Management Support and Business Development staff in the CO and UNDP HQ and the projects’ staff for resolving finance-related issues and exchange of information.

Duties and Responsibilities

In this section list the primary responsibilities of the position (Typically five).As needed add additional context below the responsibilities.Tip: Focus on what the job entails not how to do the job.

Ensures administration and implementation of programme/operations and financial management strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:

1. Full compliance with UN/UNDP rules and regulations and other relevant policies on 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.
2. Provision of inputs for implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies in consultation with the office management.
3. Preparation of cost sharing, and trust fund agreements, follow up on contributions within the CO resource mobilization efforts.

Provides effective support to management of the CO programme, administration of budgets and functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results:

1. Presentation of information for formulation of country programme work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements and execution modalities. Entry of data of new grants into Atlas in the form of Annual Work Plans (AWPs), monitoring of their status.
2. Provision of guidance to the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects, tracking use of financial resources.
3. Accuracy verification of Combined Delivery Reports.
4. Provision of information for the audit of NIM/DIM projects, implementation of audit recommendations.
5. Implementation of the control mechanism for development projects through monitoring of budgets preparation and modifications
6. Tracking and reporting on mobilized resources.
7. Preparation of reports.
8. Assists in the preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the services provided by, elaboration and implementation of the income tracking system and follow up on cost recovery.

Provides accounting and administrative support to the Programme Finance Unit focusing on achievement of the following results:

1. Proper control of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports for NIM/DIM projects; preparation of PO and non-PO vouchers for development projects.
2. Approval of vendors in Atlas (if a senior member of the Finance team).
3. 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 and processed; travel claims, MPOs and other entitlements are duly processed
4. Tracking and reporting of mobilized resources by performing the following tasks if assigned to the S/M.
5. Review signed cost-sharing contribution agreements and trust fund agreements.
6. Enter Agreement information into Contracts Module.
7. Attach copy of the signed agreement in Atlas
8. Create Billing Plan in Contracts Module.
9. Create Revenue Plan and establish Milestones in Contracts Module.
10. Bill a donor through Contracts Module.
11. Maintain contributions/receivables documentation
12. Apply cash receipt to the proper revenue source / fund or project
13. Timely corrective actions on erroneous data in Atlas.  Preparation of financial reports as required.
14. Maintenance of the Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects and follow-up with partners on contributions, deposits creation in Atlas and their application to AR pending items.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

1. Systematic gaining and sharing of knowledge and experience related to programme management.
2. Organization of training for the office staff on programme/operations related issues.
3. Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in programme finance.
4. Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Competencies and Selection Criteria

Description of Competency at Level Required

(For more comprehensive descriptions please see the competency inventory)

In this section list all core competencies as well as the most relevant technical/functional competencies the role will require along with the appropriate level.  A Detailed list of competencies can be accessed through the following link: https://intranet.undp.org/unit/ohr/competency-framework/SitePages/Home.aspx

Core

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 3: Adapts deliverables to meet client needs

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 3: Proactively seeks and recognizes contributions of others

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 3: Appropriately involves team in different stages of work and decision-making

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 3: Expresses information and views with adaptive reasoning and appreciation for complexity and variation

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 3: Takes responsibility for addressing critical situations and delivering core value

Technical/Functional

Detailed list of competencies can be accessed through https://intranet.undp.org/unit/ohr/competency-framework/SitePages/Home.aspx

 and hiring managers are encouraged to familiarize themselves for more information

Operational Efficiency

Ability to identify and execute opportunities to improve operational efficiency

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Quality Assurance

Ability to perform administrative and procedural activities to insure that quality requirements and goals are fulfilled

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Knowledge Management

Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Office Administration

Ability to manage day-to-day office activities to meet operational needs

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Budget Management

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

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Team Building

Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of professionals towards common goals

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

Secondary Education, preferably with specialized certification in Accounting and  Finance or Bachelor’s  Degree in Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences and Social Sciences.

Experience:

6 years  with secondary school or 3 years with  Bachelor’s degree of progressively responsible administrative or programme 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.

UNDP Accountancy & Finance Test required for candidates who do not possess the required educational qualifications.This will be verified with OFRM before the shortlisting process.

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in English and Nepali