UNDP Jobs - 85264- Programme Finance Associate

Programme Finance Associate

Location :

Manila, PHILIPPINES

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

01-Jul-2019

Application Deadline :

30-May-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

GS-7

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 Year with possibility for extension

Languages Required :

English

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

You are invited to join a team of dedicated development professionals whose primary role is to support the Philippines to achieve the 2030 Agenda. As part of the UNDP team your focus will be to work with multiple stakeholders to find the country specific solutions that lead to the eradication of poverty and to ensure no one is left behind - and we reach those furthest behind first.

You will be confronted with diverse development challenges, including addressing basic development needs, supporting institutional transformations to enable sustainable development, and enabling rapid recovery from shocks, crises and conflicts by strengthening development pathways. These development challenges are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they often coexist, requiring tailored integrated solutions that can adequately address specific deficits and barriers.

We place a premium on national ownership in the analysis, design and implementation of solutions, as well as a partnership-based approach to leverage the range of skills and resources needed – public and private. We work closely with all stakeholders in society to find innovative solutions to old development problems.

UNDP is looking for individuals who have the analytical, planning and implementation capacities that can address links, choices and connections across many issues and sectors. We seek individuals who can apply global best practice to national contexts. We are looking for people who are enthusiastic, motivated and committed to making a positive contribution to Development in the Philippines.

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative and supervision of the RBM Analyst and Oversight & Control, the Programme Finance Associate is responsible for maintaining a system of regular planning, performance monitoring of and support of the Country Office for effective delivery of financial management services and transparent utilization of financial resources. He/she analyses and interprets and reports Financial rules and Regulations, Programme Operational Policies and Procedures. The Programme Finance Associate promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Programme Finance Associates works in close collaboration with the operations, programme, project teams in the Country Office, ensuring successful Country Office performance in Programme Finance management monitoring and delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities

1) Develops planning, implementation and monitoring systems focusing on achievement of the following results:

Prepare, avail and monitor a calendar of corporate requirements and programme finance related dashboards;
Implement and maintain an effective planning and analysis capability that will provide management with appropriate analytical tools to establish goals and measure performance of the Country Office;
Routinely communicate each unit’s and Country Office consolidated financial and operational performance trends, historical and forecasted, using appropriate metrics. Suggest trends, resulting implications, key actions, and strategic implications. Coordinate the spending review process for the CO;
Prepare presentations in support of weekly management meetings and quarterly CCG meetings and various strategic meetings of the Country Office.

2) Ensures implementation of operational and financial management strategies, and adapts processes and procedures, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Full compliance of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and audit follow up with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies; implementation of the effective internal control, proper design and functioning of the financial resources management system;
Continuous analysis and monitoring of the financial situation, presentation of forecasts for development and management projects;
Implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies;
Routinely monitors financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigates anomalies or unusual transactions. Informs supervisors and other UNDP staff at Headquarters of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.

3) Manages the project and management budgets and organizes an optimal cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results:

Support financial resources management planning of resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
Preparation and monitoring of budgets of management projects;
Establishment of the development projects’ budgets preparation/modification monitoring system, control of budgetary status versus authorized spending limits (ASL) and budgets delivery levels;
Sending project budget to KK if authorized by the Senior Management (can be done only on the basis of signed pro-docs and project budgets);
Preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the services provided by UNDP.

4) Regular monitoring of Country Office performance using corporate tools as well as processes established in the Country Office Business Plan, with special emphasis on pipeline management/delivery and resource mobilization targets, compliance and strategic oversight of and support to Country Office financial sustainability, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Works with the Finance Analyst, Operation Manager and MSU to monitor Country Office delivery of core and non-core resources, and alerts DRR/RR to Country Office delivery levels;
Regularly monitors established results frameworks, performance indicators and targets to effectively measure Country Office capacity and performance using Balance Score Card, Atlas, snapshot and dashboard, Global Staff Surveys, audit, evaluation and other corporate reports;
Produces agreed-upon oversight reports, provide analysis and early warning based on corporate available data;
Keeps records of Country Office performance as objective basis for annual performance assessment.

5) Ensures effective Programme Financial Management, Resource Planning and Analysis, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Supports the planning and monitoring of various programme/project budgetary resources and ensuring quality control of budget revisions;
Analyzes information related to current obligations and future programme/project budgetary implications in relation to formulation of the Resource Planning Framework (RPF);
Reviews Programme delivery in accordance with Authorized Spending Limit (ASL) for TRAC and Trust fund resources and Cash Limit for cost sharing resources and suggests measures for adequate optional utilization of funds;
Supports the office input into the annual review exercise.

6) Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the Country Office and guidance to all stakeholders on financial matters focusing on achievement of the following results:

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

Competencies

Competencies and Selection Criteria	Description of Competency at Level Required
*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*
Financial Planning and Budgeting & Financial Reporting and Analysis Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals Ability to evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful manner	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
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
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
Knowledge Management Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge	Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary Education or bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or Public Administration;
UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) would be an asset.

Experience:

7 years of relevant experience with Secondary Education or 4 years of relevant experience with bachelor's degree;
Progressively responsible programme finance experience, is required at the national or international level;
Proven experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), experience in handling of web- based management systems is required;
Experience in handling of web-based management systems and ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft (Atlas);
Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required.

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in English. Working knowledge of other UN language desirable

Other:

Non-Smoking environment