Project Finance Analyst

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 Governance for Resilience Project works with Pacific governments to ensure that countries adapt their decision making and governance systems towards more resilient development. The projects theory of change rests on a core assumption that Pacific Island people will be more resilient to the impacts of climate change and disasters if countries manage all development through a risk informed approach.

The Gov4Res Project three outcomes areas to work with countries across the region to address these risks by development: 1) government planning and financing systems enable gender and socially inclusive risk-informed development; 2) country oversight and accountability systems require gender and socially inclusive risk-informed development; and 3) regional organisations, policies and practices are actively supporting gender and socially inclusive risk-informed development.

UNDP is partnering with a range of partners to deliver this project across the Pacific including Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Programme Manager, the Project Finance Analyst is responsible for effective delivery of financial services, transparent utilization of financial resources and management of the finances for the Gov4Res Programme. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Gov4Res Project Manager, the Project Finance Analyst will provide project management support in the effective implementation of operational, administrative, procurement and financial processes for the Gov4Res project.
• Ensures effective and accurate financial resources management and oversight, focusing on achievement of the following results:
• Leads on financial analysis and oversight for all resources managed by Gov4Res and provision of high-quality technical financial advice to the Programme Manager and other PMU staff members and Country Office senior management.
• Formulation and design of the programme and preparation and revision of project Annual Work Plans (AWPs), including preparation of budget estimates and budget revisions.
• Ensure timely updating of UNDP’s results-management systems including the Quantum project management module.
• Pro-actively contribute to day-to-day project implementation and ensure conformity to expected results and project work-plans;
• Full compliance with ICF and UNDP Financial Rules and Regulations;
• Ensures implementation of operational strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement full compliance with UN/UNDP rules and regulations of financial processes;
• Follow-up on timely disbursements and ensure that adequate financial controls are in place to maintain proper accountability of expenditures;
• Ensure that all project transactions are in compliance with POPP guidelines;
• Ensure the financial transactions are properly authorized, recorded, and supported with adequate documentation;
• Establish a computer-based monitoring system for expenditures;
• Proper control of the supporting documents for all payments and new vendors form;
• Liaise with UNDP Pacific Finance Officers to ensure compatibility of the project financial management;
• Provide and interpret financial information;
• Analyse changes and advise accordingly;
• In case required, provide assistance with internal or external audit requirements;
• Maintains a document management system for UNDP, including Sub-recipients, contractors, service providers, and technical assistance providers records.
• Carry out any other financial assignments as requested by the Project Manager.

Performs account reconciliations, oversight reports and provide support in certification, reporting and closures 

• Ongoing monitoring of project resource balances, expenditures and accurate use of funds, including ensuring income is allocated to the project and fully budgeted, and forthcoming expenditure can be met by available resources.
• Monitor budgets and expenditures and contribute to preparation of budget revision and maintain a proper record of approved project budgets and their revisions;
• Preparation and analysis of monthly financial oversight reports for the project expenditure; 
• Provide justification on quarterly closure and certification for CO, including support in certifying receipt accruals and prepayments and other accounts including micro capital grants, sundry, hospitality and other open items and GL accounts.
• Facilitate audit and spot check exercises, including by preparing documentation, liaising with auditors, providing clarification and ensuring the implementation of audit recommendations.
• Resolve any issues relating to transactional and T&E processing including any exceptions identified in PowerBI reports, CO Finance dashboards and other reporting tools.
• Timely follow up and action (correction/reversals) of all oversight queries.
• Act as focal point for project partners’ financial and operational issues.  Oversee advances and liquidations through the HACT system, monitoring aging advances and acting where necessary.
• Record findings from audits and spot checks of implementing partners, monitoring and updating action taken on the findings.
• Advising the Project Manager of any concerns regarding implementing partners’ financial and operational management.
• Lead on the preparation of the donor reports, monthly Cash Flow and annual Cash Flow Forecasts, statement of sources and uses of funds in compliance with the donor requirements;
• Lead on the preparation of other financial reports to be submitted to the donor, acting as the Focal Point for financial management information for the donor

Facilitate efficient and effective administrative operations 

• Facilitate and provide the appropriate trainings for team members as required, to ensure compliance with UNDP financial procedures;
• Process and review official Project Mission Travel Requests, including timely follow-up action on medical/security clearance, claims, signatures as appropriate and ensuring preparation of the necessary documents in Quantum and UNAll;
• Monitor all travel-related payments for the Project, liaising appropriately with Out-posted staff, as required;
• Provide administrative and logistical support for donor meetings, country/region specific meetings, workshops, trainings, conferences, retreats and any other special events organized by the Project;

Facilitates knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results 

• Identifies and synthetizes lessons learnt and best practices in the area of work;
• Actively promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture within the project;
• Systematically builds capacities of national staff and train project staff in all areas of responsibility.
• Identifies and supports development of communications (print, video) highlighting key financial management achievements, best practices, and lessons learnt and contributes to information sharing with the responsible parties, UN entities, financial and technical partners.   
• Assist the project team in development of communication materials such as Press Releases, social media posts etc.

Facilitate in procurement of services and goods in compliance with the UNDP policies and procedures.

• Preparation of procurement plans against project budgets and work plans
• Prepare payments requests for operational expenses, services provision, purchases, etc
• Coordinate with GSSU in processing financial transactions as per SLA timelines

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• A professional accounting qualification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy, and/or Advanced (Master’s) 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 two 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 for shortlisting.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in providing financial management services, and/or managing staff and operational systems.
• Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required for external candidates.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheets and web-based management systems such as ERP financials and database packages.
• Experience with donor funded projects will be an added advantage;
• Experience in preparation of financial reports and budget variance analysis
• Experience in an international setting with the UN or with international organisations an asset;
• Experience working with government counterparts building national capacities is an asset;
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with other colleagues from various cultures and professional backgrounds;
• Knowledge of UN rules and regulations is an asset.

Required languages:

• Fluency in English and Fijian and/or Fiji Hindi is required.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/job/21943