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 Pacific Digital Economy Programme (PDEP) which is implemented with UNCTAD and UNDP, aims to support the development of inclusive digital economies in the Pacific addressing the impact of COVID-19 and at the same time leveraging its catalytic capacity.
The Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation Programme, implemented with UNDP, aims to improve the financial preparedness and resilience of Pacific islanders towards climate change and natural hazards
The STREIT programme, a partnership with FAO, UNDP, ILO and ITU and that aims to support rural entrepreneurship, investment and trade in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
The portfolio across the region identifies and promotes the deployment of blended finance instruments to lower the upfront capital and/or reduce the investment risk for the private sector. For example, UNCDF is supporting Coral Reef Preservation in Fiji and PNG though our partnership with the Global Fund for Coral Reefs and the issuance of the Blue Bond in Fiji, a project implemented in partnership with UNDP.
Primary countries of focus are Fiji, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands (SOI), Tonga, Vanuatu, Timor-Leste and Kiribati.
Position Purpose:
This position is primarily focused in ensuring proper financial management and timely delivery of the programmes in the Pacific. In this context, under the overall guidance and supervision of the Regional Coordinator and in close collaboration with the Operations Analyst and the Regional Manager, the Programme Finance Analyst contributes to the effective implementation of financial monitoring and works with the Regional Office to ensures the financial integrity of the programme portfolio to align evolving new programmes and projects in the Pacific.
With proper and accurate programme financing, the incumbent, supports the design, planning and management of financial resources of the different programmes of UNCDF-IDE in the Pacific. In doing so, s/he works in close collaboration with Programme Assistance and Project staff at country and regional level, the Office of Finance and Management Services (OFMS) team in Bangkok and NY, for resolving complex programme and operations-related issues, ensuring successful performance of programmes and projects in the Pacific. S/he operates under the overall supervision of the Regional Programme Manager with matrix reporting to the Programme Specialist based in Bangkok.
Duties and Responsibilities
Summary of key functions:
- Implementation of operational and financial management strategies for IDE Programmes in the Pacific.
- Programme financial management and resources planning.
- Implementation of the resource mobilization strategy and oversight of project financing agreements.
- Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, guidance to all stakeholders on financial matters.
- Coordination of Audit and Assurance Activities.
Ensures implementation of operational and financial management strategies for IDE Programmes in the Pacific through:
- Full compliance of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and audit follow up with UNDP/UNCDF rules, regulations, policies and strategies; implementation of effective internal control, proper design and functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system.
- Continuous analysis, and monitoring of the financial situation, preparation of forecasts for development and management of programme resources
- Support Programme and Project Managers in the preparation of annual work plans and quality assurance plans.
- Finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with office management.
- Elaboration of proposals and implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies in consultations with the programme team.
- Routinely monitors financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigates anomalies. Informs supervisors and other UNCDF staff at Headquarters of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.
Ensures effective programme financial management, resource planning and analysis through:
- Support the planning and monitoring of various programme/project budgetary resources and ensuring proper entry of transactions, creation of projects and budget revisions in in UNCDF ERP System (Quantum).
- Analyse information related to current and future obligations and prepare reports containing budgetary implications and financial situation. This includes following up on GMS revenue forecast and analysis.
- Implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system.
- Monitoring of Combined Delivery Reports preparation, advice on relevant issues, and maintenance of a database of all CDRs.
- Monitoring of timely Operational and Financial Closure of projects, reimbursement of remaining balances to donors, and liaising with UNCDF HQ on donor reimbursements.
- Performing the functions of the Treasury/Finance in Quantum, undertaking responsibilities in line with the Internal Control Framework.
- Exercise quality assurance for revision, including checking of correct allocation of funds between donors and consistency of approved budget with cash/ASL limits.
- Liaise with Regional Programme Quality Assurance and coordinate project operational and financial closure activities.
- Support in monitoring relevant corporate key performance and dashboard indicators in the area of programme and project financial management and ensure full compliance and high performance.
- Monitoring of the Accounts Receivables for UNCDF projects and maintenance of General Ledger.
Ensures implementation of the resource mobilization strategy and oversight of project financing agreements through:
- Elaboration of the framework and conditions of contributions within resources mobilization efforts.
- Review and quality assurance of donor reports as required by the financing agreements and facilitate the timely donor reporting submission
- Support programme colleagues on the corporate partnership arrangements with different donors, cost-sharing agreements, their monitoring, and management.
- Monitoring of cost-sharing contributions and timely receipt of contributions in accordance with the revenues plan and revenue related dashboard indicators.
- Monitoring of cost-sharing contributions, revenue management, including all new agreements, instalments, and amendments, and maintenance of the Revenue Service Request System
- Advice to Programme and Project Staff on different donor reporting requirements; monitoring of financial reports to be submitted to donors.
- Liaise with the Programme Finance Associate in HQ for oversight of the data entry and updates of project financing agreements in Quantum (ERP).
Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, guidance to all stakeholders on financial matters:
- Advice and guidance to Programme Associates and Project staff on UNCDF/UNDP administrative and Financial reporting, in particular, on budgetary issues.
- Organization/conduct of training for the Operations/Project/Programme Staff on financial management and RBM.
- In coordination with the Regional Office, synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in programme and programme finance.
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice
Lead the coordination of Audit and Assurance Activities for programmes:
- Support the implementation of UNCDF internal control framework (ICF)
- Lead the preparation for the project audits
- Lead the preparation for NIM and HACT audit and assurance activities in accordance with the UNSDG Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers
- Prepare with the projects teams the assurance planning and activities.
- Lead the monitoring and assurance activities in various programme countries in the Pacific.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervise Programme Performance team staff.
Competencies
Core:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 2
- Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2
- Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2
- Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2
- Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
Act with Determination: LEVEL 2
- Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2
- Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2
- Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making
People Management: UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical:
Business Management – Portfolio Management:
- Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization´s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment
Business Management – Monitoring:
- Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.
Business Management – Evaluation:
- Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks – Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.
Business Direction & Strategy – System Thinking:
- Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Business Development – Knowledge Generation:
- Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
Finance/Accounting – Accounting (General):
- Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, regulations, and policies and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.
Finance/Accounting – Budget Management:
- Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- A professional accounting qualification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy, and/or Advanced (Masters) University Degree in Finance and/or Accounting is required.
- Or a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- Candidates with professional accounting qualifications from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
- Candidates with no professional accountancy qualifications, but with degrees that major in accountancy and/or finance must complete the Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited.
- Candidates satisfying the above criteria are exempted from undertaking the UNDP Advanced Accountancy and Finance Test (AAFT).
- Candidates with MBA or master’s in finance with no accountancy qualification but with relevant experience must successfully undertake the UNDP Advanced Accountancy and Finance Test (AAFT) to be eligible.
Experience:
- Minimum 2 years (with Master´s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of experience in providing financial management and accounting advisory services, managing staff and operational systems
- Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required for external candidates.
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems and ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft.
- Experience in financial budgeting to support programme planning and decision-making is an added advantage.
- Experience in ensuring that programme financial activities align with donors’ and internal requirements is desired.
- Experience in preparing and presenting programme financial reports to stakeholders is desirable.
- UNDP Accounting and Finance Training and Certification is an asset.
- UNDP Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) is an added value, but not required.
- Experience with UNDP or UNCDF ERP systems would be an advantage.
Language:
- Fluency in English, Fijian and/or Fiji Hindi is required.
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Please upload copies of your academic qualifications and 3 latest Performance Evaluations (if applicable)
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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