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.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges to help empower lives and build resilient nations.
The HIV, Health and Development Strategy 2016-2021: ‘Connecting the Dots’ elaborates UNDP’s work on HIV and health in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. UNDP has an important role in supporting health outcomes by supporting countries to address the social, cultural and economic determinants of HIV and health, in partnership with other UN entities and international organizations. As a trusted, long-term partner with extensive operational experience, UNDP supports countries in effective implementation of complex, multilateral and multi-sectoral health programmes while simultaneously investing in capacity development so that national and local partners can assume these responsibilities over time.
UNDP Turkmenistan was appointed by the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) as the Principal Recipient (PR) for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria TB grant implementation in 2010. As the PR, UNDP is responsible for management and coordination of the implementation of the programme, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and effective and transparent use of the Global Fund resources. Up to date UNDP has implemented TB grants with total budget more than $29 mln. The implementing partners of the grant: Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Interior (MoI), World Health Organization (WHO), National Red Crescent Society (NRCS) and the National TB Programme.
In 2021-2024 Turkmenistan will implement Transitional TB grant aiming at full exit from the Global Fund support by the end of 2014. In the transitional grant UNDP’s role will be to support MoH and NTP with building national policies and capacities for the successful transition to full domestic funding of the TB grant and at the same time to maintain universal access to TB prevention, diagnosis and treatment services of good quality and applying patient-centered interventions during the transition period.
Besides the Global Fund’s TB grant, UNDP country office implements financing agreements funded by MoH aiming at procurement of quality-assured health products (reagents, commodities, medicines, medical equipment) for the needs of national programmes for infectious diseases control. The projects funded by the Global Fund and by the MoH are thematically combined and contribute to implementation of the plan for sustainability and transition of the National TB Programme to full domestic funding by 2024. Under the supervision of the Project Manager, the Finance Associate will provide technical support on the financial management for UNDP’s PR role in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures and corporate agreements with the GF, and working in close coordination with national stakeholders, the GF (including Local Fund Agent), CCM and technical and UN partners.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Support the Project Manager on the planning, coordination and revision of the work plan and budget for UNDP’s PR role including SR’s budgets across all functional areas in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures and corporate agreements with the GF;
- Ensure full compliance of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and audit follow-up with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies;
- Assist under the Project Manager’s guidance, the audits by the Office of Audit and Investigations and audits of SRs in line with UNDP rules, regulations, policies and procedures and the corporate agreements with the GF and support the timely implementation of audit recommendations and findings as they relate to financial, asset and SR management;
- Assist the Project Manager in the implementation and update of the risk mitigation matrix in relation to assets and financial management which reflects the country’s context for implementation, including contingency plans;
- Assist the Project Manager with preparation of variance analysis, the annual progress report and disbursement request, reporting to national partners and CCM, assist with preparation of reprogramming requests;
- Maintenance of asset register and verification of assets;
- Develop and maintain a document management system (physical and electronic) for the Principal Recipient and Sub-recipient records;
- Verification of SRs’ financial reports and supporting documents, reconciliation against bank statements.
- Assist the Sub-recipients in the development and update of the risk mitigation matrix in relation to assets and financial management which reflects the country’s context for implementation, including contingency plans;
- Prepare cost estimates and financial forecasts for different activities according to the needs of programme management;
- Implement an effective internal control, proper design and functioning of the financial resources management system;
- Ensure knowledge generation through identification, documentation and dissemination of achievements, best practices and lessons learned directly linked to the Grant finance management;
- Ensures effective engagement with national stakeholders and knowledge transfer;
- The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization..
- Ensures the projects are registered/re-registered by the Ministry of Finance and Economy in accordance with the local legislation.
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
- Financial planning and budgeting
- Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP’s long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analyzing and reporting.
- Management and cost accounting
- Ability to produce periodic qualitative and quantitative performance reports to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring.
- Ability to use a range of costing techniques and analyze cost related data to provide quantitative information to the users of reports.
- Financial risk management
- Ensures financial resilience through proactive assessment of risk, implementation of controls and taking mitigating action. Understands risk and reward in relation to collaborative and commercial projects.
- Ensures a culture of positive risk management
- Investment management
- Ability to manage organization’s assets such as equity, bonds, cash, etc. according to the investment guidelines.
- Communication
- Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
- Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
- Knowledge generation
- Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Secondary Education with specialized certification in accounting and/or finance.
- Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting is 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 7 years (with Secondary education) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in accounting and/or finance.
Desired Skills:
- Experience in budgeting, forecasting and reporting is an asset;
- Experience in preparation of budget variance reports is an asset;
- Advanced knowledge of excel spreadsheets;
- Previous experience in development projects is desirable;
- Previous experience with ERP systems;
- Experience in audit is an asset.
Languages:
- Fluency in Russian, English and Turkmen (written and spoken) is required.
Institutional Arrangement
The Finance Associate will report to the Project Manager and work closely with the other functional teams.
Disclaimer
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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