Finance Associate

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP Cambodia Country Office (CO) works in partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC), non-government organizations, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, multilateral aid agencies, bilateral donors, and the private sector to accelerate the achievement of Cambodia Sustainable Development Goals (CSDGs) and other national development priorities as set out in the Pentagonal Strategy for realizing the national vision 2050.  

In Cambodia, the UNDP Country Programme Document 2024-2028 (CPD) identified three transformational shifts as priority for support during the next 5 years. The first shift is toward an economic growth model that accelerates inclusive growth, economic diversification, and human development. The second shift involves championing just energy transition, climate action and nature-based solutions as the foundation for national wealth, well-being, and resilience to shocks. The third shift is towards strengthening institutions, civic space, and participation as enablers for inclusive growth, access to rights and equal opportunities for all, whilst ensuring that the society at large is using the full potential of digital transformation. The CPD is aligned to national priorities and policies, particularly Cambodia’s vision 2050 and the Pentagonal Strategy-Phase 1 2024-2028. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the overall guidance from the Operations Manager, and the direct supervision of the Finance Analyst, the Finance Associate will be responsible for providing financial management services as well as administrative and coordination support to the office. S/he will work in close collaboration with several units (Operations, Programme, etc.) and with Projects staff.

Provide support for effective and efficient financial control in the office, including accounting and administrative support, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensure full compliance with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, and financial recording/reporting system.
• Provide support in the planning of financial resources such as preparation of reports containing analysis of the financial situation, preparation and monitoring of budgets, regular analysis and reporting on the budget approvals, and the delivery situation.
• Maintain the internal expenditures control system, including budget checks and timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, vouchers with budget check errors, unapproved vouchers, etc.
• Process documents for cash advances, liquidation, and reimbursements in a timely manner to be submitted for approval of the manager.
• Prepare the non-PO vouchers, payrolls for salaries, and other benefits related to project staff.
• Certify expenditures for approval of payments and monitor/control budget expenditures and approved allotments.
• Support office management in preparing and reviewing CO finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal standard operating procedures in the finance in consultation with office management.
• Ensure timely recording, reconciliation, and submission of VAT claims with relevant TAX authority and follow up on VAT reimbursements.
• Record and reconcile other revenue including GLOC payments, in-kind contributions from governments, and agency income through UPL/LPL.
• Support timely completion of quarterly and year-end certifications as per corporate guidelines.
• Act as an alternate Petty Cash Custodian and assist in managing petty cash funds for the management project.
• Facilitate the payment process for agencies, ensure timely registration of services in the Agency Service Portal (ASP), and address queries related to the Service Clearing Account (SCA).
• Support payment process to the Staff Association (SA) account, and others as outlined in the Internal Control Framework (ICF).
• Perform the pay cycle process and resolve issues such as payment returns or cancellations.
• Process payroll instruction to local bank based on data finalization from Regional/HQ.
• Assist in monitoring project cash advances (PCA).
• Process Zero-Dollar Invoices (ZDI) when required such as for bank charge reclassifications.
• Provide administrative support, including filing and archiving documents for the Finance Unit.

Provide support for effective administration of budgets of CO management projects, proper CO cash and treasury management functioning, and functioning of an optimal cost-recovery system, focusing on the following results:

• Support the production of thoroughly researched information for planning of financial resources for the Country Office.
• Assist in preparing and modifying budgets for UNDP management projects, and follow up with HQ on authorized spending limits (ASL).
• Conduct a timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds for disbursements and maintain liquidity level approved by the Treasury. Identify and record receipts, and create deposits or revenue applications.
• Serve as an alternate contact for the Finance Analyst (or Operations Manager) – with local bank management on routine operational matters, including negotiating exchange rates for replenishment, adding or removing bank signatories, and handling debit advice requests.
• Support timely and accurate bank reconciliations.
• Assist in preparing timely monthly cashflow forecasts for use by the Finance Analyst.
• Produce monthly cash performance reports in accordance with the CO’s impress level.
• Prepare timely cost-recovery and DPC bills in the ERP for services provided by UNDP. Develop and implement a revenue tracking system and follow up on cost recovery. Establish criteria for pro-ration of Agency contributions to the common services account, prepare and modify the common services budget, and ensure timely recovery of payments.

Ensure the implementation of operational strategies and procedures, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Provide coordination support in the audit and spot-check process in accordance with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and procedures including pre-audit preparations, and ensure continuous follow-ups on the implementation of audit findings.
• Support in overseeing the accounts, budgetary, and financial management of UNDP projects.
• Provide support in the preparation of proposals and implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies in consultation with office management.
• Coordinate with the UNDP Procurement Team in the procurement of supplies, including requisition, request for quotation, costing for services, machinery, necessities, etc.
• Ensure the office’s full compliance with asset management processes in coordination with the asset management focal points.

Ensure knowledge building and knowledge sharing, focusing on the following results:

• Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, and provide guidance to projects/country office on financial and administrative matters.
• Support the organization in conducting trainings on financial management procedures.
• Document lessons learned and best practices in financial management.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary Education with specialized certification in accounting and/or Finance is required.
• University degree in Finance or Accounting will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
• Part-qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
• 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:

• A minimum of 7 years (with secondary education) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in financial management and/or in providing finance services 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 are required.
• Experience with UN/UNDP and/or international organizations and/or development organizations is an asset.
• Experience in administration of budgets and/or cost-recovery systems is desired.
• Experience in financial controlling is an asset.

Required languages: 

• Fluency in Khmer and English (both spoken and written) is required.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/job/21569