Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
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 and Organizational Context
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.
Under the broader framework of the SDGs and in line with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), UNDP Tajikistan continues to deliver on its key strategic priorities within its Country Programme for the period 2023-2026, namely: (i) Sustainable, inclusive and green economic growth, (ii) Integrated management of climate and environmental risks, and (iii) people-centered governance and advancing rule of law.
In achieving the above, UNDP supports the acceleration of Tajikistan’s industrialization, economic productivity and competitiveness, trade, innovative entrepreneurship while ensuring that growth is risk-informed and inclusive.
UNDP continues to invest in Tajikistan’s growth in a sustainable manner and to strengthen resilience to climate change through advancing climate change adaptation (CCA), mitigation and disaster risk reduction (DRR).
UNDP invests in improving access to rights and services through strengthening effective, inclusive and accountable governing institutions, promoting a transparent, gender-sensitive and digitalized public administration with innovative solutions. UNDP focuses on the advancement rule of law and access to justice and facilitates people’s meaningful participation – in particular, women and youth – in decision-making to promote equality and social cohesion at local level.
Country office operations pillar is responsible for providing comprehensive, high-quality client-oriented services in full compliance with relevant corporate rules and regulations
Position Purpose
Under the overall guidance of the Operations Specialist and direct supervision of the Finance and Budget Analyst, the Finance Associate provides support in the effective execution of finance services in the CO. The Finance Associate promotes a client-oriented and results-focused approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
The Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the Programme and HR departments to resolve complex programme financial management related issues, budgets, financial reporting requirements, and other corporate standards.
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.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
1) Assist with the administration and implementation of operational and financial strategies, processes, and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Assist with the monitoring and promotion of full compliance with the CO and projects of financial processes and financial records with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies
- Implementation of effective internal control framework, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system, and reports and audit follow up.
- Input to the CO finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with direct supervisor and office management.
- Provide support and communicate with project, programme, and operations personnel in the area of financial resource management, and liaise with relevant HQ and GSSC unit counterparts
- Assist in implementation of cost sharing and trust fund agreements, with focus on budget, reporting to relevant stakeholders.
- Ensures financial records are in compliance with SOPs, IPSAS and other UNDP Financial Rules and Regulations.
2) Provide support to CO programme management via the administration of budgets and functioning, ensuring optimal cost recovery and focusing on achieving the following results:
- Preparation and modifications on Programme Portfolio Pipeline and Project Tree in Quantum/ERP systems as appropriate. Data entry of new grants into Quantum in the form of Annual Work Plans (AWPs), monitoring and reporting of AWPs.
- Assist in the implementation of the control mechanism for development/management projects through monitoring budgets preparation and modifications.
- Ensure timely recovery of costs for services provided to the UN Agencies
- Regular monitoring of dashboards, identification of the remedial actions in coordination with the Finance Associate, contribute to reporting to the CO delivery.
- Assist in development of information/reports, identification of operational and financial problems, proposal of solutions.
3) Provide accounting and finance support to the implementation of the CO’s resources mobilization strategy.
- Assist with maintenance of the Accounts Receivables for UNDP CO and projects and follow up with partners on cost-sharing contributions, preparation of annual reporting, application of deposits, monitoring against approved budgets
- Proper control and maintenance of supporting documents for payments and financial reports for projects and UN agencies;
- Provide inputs in the development of project concept notes.
- Maintenance of the proper filing system for finance records and documents on mobilized resources
- Drafting of financial reports to be submitted to donors.
- Contribute to drafting of cost sharing and fund agreements, obtaining clearances from HQ as necessary.
- Act as back-stopping for the Finance Associate
4) Facilitate knowledge building and sharing, with guidance to all stakeholders.
- Participation in the trainings for the operations/ projects staff on Finance.
- Support the organization of training for the operations/programme/finance staff on financial management
- Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in programme and project finance.
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
The incumbent performs other duties within your functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.
Competencies
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
- Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
- Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.
- Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies
- Business Management: Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
- Business Management: Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.
- Business Management: Customer Satisfaction/ Client Management: Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real client needs. Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.
- Business Management: Operations Management: Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the Organization’s business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.
- Digital Innovation: Data Analysis: Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making.
- Finance: Audit risk management: Ability to address audit issues raised in the course of an audit and propose solutions in order to ensure true and fair audit opinion is achieved.
- Finance: Budget management: Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Secondary Education with specialized certification in accounting and/or Finance. University degree in Finance or Accounting desirable. Part-qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage. (The degree must state that the major is in accounting or finance. Degrees in Business Administration or Public Administration are not considered equivalent.)
- Fully Qualified Accountant, from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy or Full Completion of the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP). No UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) is required.
- Candidates with no professional accountancy qualifications, but with degrees that major in accountancy and/or finance must complete UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited. However, no UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) is required.
- Candidate with no professional accountancy qualifications but with relevant experience must successfully undertake UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) before shortlisting and must complete the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited.
Experience:
- Minimum of 6 years (with Secondary education) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible Finance and operations experience is required at the national or international level.
- Experience and knowledge of programme and project finance management desirable.
- Experience with ERP financial and/or cloud-based systems is desirable.
- Experience in the usage of digital finance solutions and software packages, and advanced knowledge of data management and systems is required.
- Prior experience and knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS required.
- Experience with UNDP and/or international organizations/UN agencies an asset.
- Experience with Government institutions an asset.
Language requirements:
- Fluency in English and Russian is required.
- Knowledge of local Tajik language an advantage
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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