UNDP VACANCY: Finance Specialist

UNDP helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively, and we recruit for the position of a Finance Specialist. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights, capacity development and the empowerment of women.

We are recruiting to fill the below position:

Job Title: Finance Specialist
Type of Contract : FTA International
Duration of Initial Contract : Initial duration of One Year

Location : Abuja

Job Description

• Under the overall supervision of the Project Director and the guidance of the Deputy Country Director (P), the Finance Specialist is responsible for ensuring the highest efficiency in financial resources management and the provision of accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial information, strategic program financial resources management, and consistency with UNDP rules and regulations, effective delivery of financial services, transparent utilization of financial resources and management of DGD Finance Unit.
• He/she analyzes and interprets the financial rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues.
• The Finance Specialist promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
• The Finance Specialist works in close collaboration with the Management Support and Business Development, Programme, Operations, and project teams in the CO, UNDP HQ staff and Government officials ensuring successful CO performance in Finance
• This post is Development Project Funded (DPF).

Duties and Responsibilities

1.) Summary of Key Functions:

• Ensuring strategic direction of Program finance management;
• Effective and accurate financial resources management and oversight;
• Projects' budgets management and organization of an optimal cost-recovery system;
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, guidance to all stakeholders on financial matters.

2.) Ensure the strategic direction of Program Finance management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Compliance of operations with UNDP rules, regulations and policies, implementation of corporate operational strategies, and monitoring achievement of results of the DGD program;
• Provision of advice on strategies, policies and plans affecting DGD program finance managements, delivery of practice advisory, knowledge and learning services;
• Establishment of collaborative arrangements with potential partners, a Client Relationship;
• CO business processes mapping and establishment of internal Standard Operating;
• Procedures in Finance. Results Management, program performance. Constant monitoring and analysis of the operating environment, quick readjustment of the operations, advice on legal considerations and risk assessment.

3.) Ensure effective and accurate financial resources management and oversight, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Financial analysis and oversight for all resources managed by the DGD and provision of high-quality professional advice to the Project Director;
• Review of contribution agreements, and managing contributions in ATLAS; business process and accounting for contributions to ensure that the money due to UNDP/DGD  is properly identified, classified, recorded on a timely basis and received with sufficient supporting documentation;
• Review of projects financial reports and preparation of non-PO vouchers for the various sub-projects under the DIP;
• Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas, including timely corrective action on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers;
• Conduct regular budget check for requisitions, POs and vouchers in ATLAS;
• Collection, analysis, and collation of data related to DIP drafting of reports, presentations and/or other documents/spreadsheets;
• Monitor disbursement of funds regularly to inform management and implementation of activities in accordance with the programme document, contribution agreements, UNDP rules and regulations;
• Regularly monitor programme delivery through ATLAS, run relevant reports, and prepare clear, user-friendly financial spreadsheets, reports, statements and/or other supporting documentation;
• Identify and report on budgetary shortfalls/surpluses as well as results based indicators to ensure effective and efficient control and delivery of multi-donor funds;
• Effective liaison between the DIP Management Unit, the CO's Operations Team, and relevant focal points within implementing partner agencies/institutions, on administrative, financial and transactional issues related to the DGD
• As requested, participate in meetings with interlocutors of related government and donor interventions, to assure coordinated data gathering and dissemination of relevant information.

4.) Manage the budgets of the DGD program  focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Management of all financial resources through planning, guiding, monitoring and controlling of the resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
• Creation of DGD budget (including all sub-project related activities and funds) in ATLAS, preparation of budget revisions, revision of project award and project status, determination of unutilized funds, as well as operational and financial closure of DIP projects (as required);
• Regular analysis and reporting on the budget approvals and the delivery situation of management projects;
• Elaboration of proper mechanisms to eliminate deficiencies in budget management;
• Collection of information on internal and external clients' satisfaction and needs in order to develop improvements to services;
• Ensuring that direct payments for DIM projects are properly reviewed and made on a timely basis, as well as ensuring that payment information is properly recorded into the Atlas system on a timely basis;
• Submission of financial reports to donors on a timely and quality basis.

5.) Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, guidance to all stakeholders on financial matters focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Advice to DGD project staff on UNDP administrative and DIM reporting, in particular, on budgetary issues;
• Organization/conduct of training for the Project/Program Staff on Financial management and RBM;
• Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in Program and Program finance;
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
• Perform any other duty related to the DGD program as assigned by the PD.

6.) Impact of Results

• The key results have an impact on the overall DGD efficiency in financial resources management and success in introduction and implementation of operational strategies. Accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial information, timely and appropriate delivery of services ensure client satisfaction and enhance DGD's credibility in use of financial resources.

Competencies

1.) Corporate competencies

• Good knowledge of ATLAS, UNDP rules and regulations, policies, procedures and practices
• Strong technical skills and analytical capacities, sound judgment
• Demonstrate commitment to UNDP's mission, vision and values.
• Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and adaptability

2.) Task Management Skills

• Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results Based-Management, including support to           design,  planning and implementation of the programme, managing data, and reporting.
• Manage tasks in a timely manner and of high quality.
• Analyze problems carefully and logically, leading to fact-based and practical recommendations.
• Develop creative solutions to particularly challenging situations.

3.) Relationship Building

• Build strong relationships with both internal and external actors – cultivates productive relationships with donor partners and other important institutions and individuals.
• Focus on impact and results for the client, promoting and living by an ethic of client service.
• Understand and anticipate evolving client needs.

4.) Leadership and Self-Management

• Focus on result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.
• Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:   

• Advanced (Masters) University Degree in Finance/Accounting, Business, or Public Administration, or a professional accounting qualification from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy.
• Professionally qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
• UNDP Advanced Accountancy & Finance Test required

Experience: 

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in providing financial management advisory services in UNDP. Seasoned Finance Specialist with solid financial Management skills in ATLAS Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required. Experience with UNDP-EU Financial Administrative Framework Agreement (FAFA) and/or procedures employed by other donors such as DFID and CIDA in project financial Management and reporting is a desired but not mandatory.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
•  Fluency in the UN and national language of the duty station.

Application Closing Date
1st January, 2013

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online