Project Finance Associate

UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, we have worked towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all. 

• With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to supporting the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.
• UNDP India’s new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on our prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic portfolios:
• Strong, accountable and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs.
• Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized.
• Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems and resilient development for reduced vulnerability.
• South-South cooperation, gender equality and social inclusion are promoted across the pillars. The programme is supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, strategic innovation and accelerator labs, and data and digital architecture.
• You are invited to join a team of future-smart development professionals to support India in achieving the national and globally agreed goals. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with diverse stakeholders to find country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first.

Office/Unit/Project Description

 In India UNDP is a long-standing partner of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and its institutions at the State and District level. Guided by the government, the UNDP India work is fully carried out in close coordination with partner UN agencies and is focusing on better health services provided to population of India. The overarching goal of UNDP’s work on health system strengthening in India is to facilitate equitable access to basic services by strengthening capacities of communities to demand and access services, and of institutions to deliver quality, timely and stigma free services and LNOB (Leaving no one behind). The Gavi Alliance co-funded Health System Strengthening (HSS) programme is one of the efforts of the MoHFW to improve the quality and level of immunization coverage in India. UNDP has been a trusted partner of MoHFW and GAVI for many years in this flagship programme that has nationwide coverage and has supported vaccine delivery to over 1 billion people. The initially developed solutions (eVIN and CoWIN) have proven themselves well and now UNDP is given a unique opportunity to develop and integrate a new universal vaccination solution – U-Win – which will be the focus on the next phase of support. While a large part of the HSS programme is related to digital solutions development, capacity building and implementation, it also includes technical support to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for prevention and management of non-communicable diseases, Neglected Tropical diseases and for leveraging technologies to track high risk pregnancies and thereby reduce maternal and child mortalities rates. Working closely with other development partners, the programme also supports the National AIDS Control Organization’s efforts in prevention and control of HIV and AIDS

Duties and Responsibilities

• Contribute to timely day-to-day financial operations of the Project in close coordination with UNDP CO Finance Team, Regional Clusters and Project Operations Analyst.
• Support in managing project finances, process invoices and ensure tax exemption for project related goods and services.
• Assist all necessary financial disbursements for goods and services in a timely manner.
• Facilitate tracking of budget and expenditures pertaining to different partnering states under Memorandum of Agreements including preparation of statement of expenditures, utilization certificates, etc.
• Provide timely guidance and support to the Regional Cluster Operations Assistants on routine UNDP operational procedures and guidelines for implementation of projects.
• Assist project management in performing budget cycle: planning, preparation, revisions, and budget execution.
• Financial support for workshops, field trips, and other project related activities.
• Participate in the preparation of work plans, operation plans and procurement plans and periodical reviews thereof
• Provide support in quality control of project activities, including assessing impact and effectiveness, tracking outputs and results, and ensure timely and efficient delivery.
• Provide support in regular monitoring and data collection of project activities in accordance with work-plan.
• Contribute to HSS project team in drafting quarterly and yearly project progress reports concerning financial issues including Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Donors, etc. in compliance with reporting needs and procedures.
• Contribute to assistance to partner agencies involved in project activities, performing and monitoring financial aspects to ensure compliance with budgeted costs in line with UNDP policies and procedures
• Monitor project expenditures, ensuring that no expenditure is incurred before it has been authorized.
• Perform preparatory work for mandatory and general budget revisions, annual physical inventory,; and assist external evaluators in fulfilling their mission.
• Ensure that all project financial activities are carried out on schedule and within budget to achieve the project outputs.
• Support the Project Manager and Project Operation Analyst on audit and follow up action.
• Ensure full compliance of activities with UNDP rules, regulations, and policies

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education is required OR A university degree (bachelor’s degree) in professional accounting or related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
• Educational certificate from an internationally accredited institute for accountancy is a distinct advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience with secondary education or 3 years with bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or project coordination/implementation

Required Skills:

• Experience in the usage of digital finance solutions and software packages, and advanced knowledge of data management and systems.
• Knowledge of Atlas/Quantum is a strong asset.
• Proven skills of Financial Reports preparation.
• Excellent interpersonal, networking and team building skills

Desired Skills:

• Understanding of MoAs and Utilisation certificates
• Experience collaborating with government agencies, international organizations, and community leaders
• Knowledge of UN regulations, rules, and procedures

Professional Certificates:

• ACCA is desirable, Qualified candidates may be required to undergo the UNDP Accounting and Finance Test (AFT).

Required Language:

• Strong oral and written communication skills in English

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/job/21710