Finance Assistant

This job description is a direct response to UNDP’s improved business model in Uruguay. It envisions a new office structure adapted to current and future needs of the country, underpinning its advisory and programmatic offer while at the same time delivering solid implementation support. It also promotes a more collaborative approach to work across the office and with external partners.

 The new structure defines the skillsets required to position UNDP in the new NCC context, adding substantive value through thought leadership and innovation, mobilizing strategic resources and ensuring projects are implemented in a smooth, efficient and transparent manner. This also entails engaging on the most pressing and transformational development challenges of the country.

 Through its portfolio, the CO has tailored localized integral solutions to specific sustainable development issues and is crafting methodologies and toolboxes to deploy and escalate them across the country. This strategy requires excellent programme management and an organizational structure that reinforces the entire programming life cycle including planning, implementation, oversight, monitoring and evaluation, communications and efficient operations. The new structure will strengthen UNDP´s role as a learning organization ‘fit-for-purpose’ to deliver on Agenda 2030. It is designed to provide the foundation for the whole public policy life cycle with a special emphasis at sub-national level that, as an engagement strategy, is expected to allow new areas of joint work and resource mobilization.

Position Purpose

• Under the overall guidance of the Operations Analyst and direct supervision of the Finance Associate, the Finance Assistant provides financial services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. The Finance Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
• The Finance Assistant works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme and projects’ staff in the Country Office (CO) and with UNDP HQ and GSSC staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.
• UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support implementation of operational strategies.

• Ensure full compliance of financial processes and financial records with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) and strategies.
• Provide input to the Finance unit and office management in preparing and reviewing CO business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal standard operating procedures in finance in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management.

Support functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system.

• Provide inputs for preparation of cost-recovery and Direct Project Costs (DPC) bills in ERP for the services provided by UNDP, and follow up on cost recovery.
• Ensures timely preparation of cost-recovery for the services provided by UNDP, implementation of the income tracking system and follow up on cost recovery.

Provide accounting and administrative support to the Finance unit.

• Provide support in ensuring proper control of the supporting documents for payment invoices and proper document management including systematic archiving.
• Prepare financial reports for non-development projects and management funds/budget balance.
• Prepare and proper control of the supporting documents for all types of invoices for Institutional Budget and UN Agencies.
• Maintain a proper filing system for finance records and documents.
• Maintain the internal expenditures control system which ensures that invoices processed are matched and completed; transactions are correctly recorded and posted in ERP; and travel claims and other entitlements are duly processed.
• Provide information on the status of financial resources as required.
• Take timely corrective actions on unposted invoices, including invoices with validation errors, match exceptions, and/or unapproved invoices.
• Manage cash receipts and petty cash.
• Global payroll verification and payment liquidation.
• Maintain the Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects in ERP.

Ensure proper functioning of CO cash and Treasury management systems.

• Serve as alternate to Finance Associate (ICS-6) for timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds for disbursements and maintain liquidity level approved by Treasury. Identify and record receipts and create deposits for revenue application on a timely basis.
• Identify and record contributions.
• Prepare timely and accurate bank reconciliations and provide documentation to GSSC according to service level agreement. Timely monitor and follow up GSSC.
• Timely preparation of monthly cashflow forecast. Liaison with UN Agencies to obtain estimate of their cash requirements.
• Initiate bank transfers and deals in ERP.

Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO.

• Participate in the training for the operations/ projects staff on finance.
• Provide contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education with specialized certification in accounting and/or finance. A university degree in finance or accounting is desirable. Part-qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
• Candidates with accountancy certification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage. Candidates without certification but with relevant experience must complete the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited.

Experience:

• 5 years (with high school diploma) or 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience at the national or international level is required.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheets and web-based management systems such as ERP financials and database packages.
• Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS is desired.

Languages:

• Fluency in Spanish is required.
• Fluency in English is considered an advantage.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/job/20457