UNDP Jobs - 75875- Programme Finance Associate

Programme Finance Associate

Location :

Colombo, SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

28-Nov-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

GS-7

Duration of Initial Contract :

One (1) year with possibility of 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

Background:

UNDP in Sri Lanka is reorganizing internally and moving to an integrated collaborative business model. Internally, an energetic and innovative team will converge around the planning, design, implementation and quality assurance of an integrated programme in a fast-paced environment. Fostering strategic partnership and alliances with different stakeholders will require a team which consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude and has a strong client orientation. Strong UN partnerships are valued for Delivering Together in a true spirit of collaboration and teamwork.

Post Context:

Under the guidance of the Integrated Support Team Leader and the close collaboration of the Finance Analyst, the Programme Finance Associate ensures effective financial services in the Country Office. As the country office develops new business relationships and financing arrangements, the Associate provides timely and flexible practical solutions that ensure accountability with UNDP programme and finance requirements.

The Programme Finance Associate is client-oriented in approach enhancing transparency, credibility and trust.

The Programme Finance Associate guides support staff and works in close collaboration with the entire country office team, regional center, global services center in Kuala Lumpur, UNDP HQ and the projects’ staff for resolving finance-related issues and exchange of information.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ideas & Expertise

Oversees the execution of the entire range of programme finance activities including creation of projects in Atlas, preparation of budget revisions and revised project award project status, determination of utilized funds, operational and financial closure of projects.
Organization and presentation of data to support audit reports.
Maintenance of internal expenditures control system including all related corrective actions acting as quality assurance for the programme team on finance data and transactions.
Creation of requisitions in Atlas for development projects and registering of all goods.

Partnership Engagement:

Provide insight to organization counter parts on the finance component of new programme initiatives ensuring client expectations are met and emerging opportunities to expand business are not impeded.
Provision of guidance to the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects, tracking use of financial resources.

Team Collaboration

Working collaboratively with programme and finance colleagues, continuously seeks to improve existing processes to support timely delivery and evolving programme modalities.
Assess utility of programme finance tools and reporting procedures and recommend ways to adapt and improve.
Assess support team capacity and propose/lead targeted learning activities to address gaps and improve delivery and service.

Competencies

Core

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Accounting

Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, regulations, and policies and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Financial Management

Ability to create a process to achieve financial goals

Financial Analysis

Ability to evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful manner

Risk Management

Ability to identify and prioritize risks, and organize action around mitigating them

Quality Assurance

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

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary Education with specialized accounting training. University Degree on Business/Public Administration or Economics would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.
UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) required

Experience:

7 year of progressively responsible programme finance experience, is required at the national or international level.
Alternatively, if in possession of a Bachelor’s Degree only 4 years of relevant experience would be required.
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 for external candidates

Candidates will have a distinct advantage if they possess any of the following:

Fully qualified accountants – internal and external candidates that have the appropriate qualification from the list of accepted qualifications.
Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) within the last two years.
Staff enrolled within the Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP).
Non-staff without the accepted professional qualifications, but have passed the appropriate UNDP AFT.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and in the national language of the duty station. Knowledge of other UN official language is desirable.