Background and Organization
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP/UNCDF: 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/UNCDF including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP/UNCDF 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 Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) is the United Nation's flagship catalytic financing entity for the world's 46 Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
With its unique capital mandate and focus on the LDCs, UNCDF works to invest and catalyse capital to support these countries in achieving the sustainable growth and inclusiveness envisioned by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Doha Programme of Action for the least developed countries, 2022-2031.
UNCDF’s financing models work through three channels:
(1) inclusive digital economies, which connect individuals, households, and small businesses with financial eco-systems that catalyze participation in the local economy, and provide tools to climb out of poverty and manage financial lives;
(2) local development finance, which drives structural transformation of localities through policy and regulatory reform, fiscal decentralization, innovative municipal finance, and project finance to unlock capital flows to the local level, combined local economic expansion and sustainable development;
(3) investment finance, which provides catalytic financial structuring, de-risking, and capital deployment to drive SDG impact and domestic resource mobilization.
By strengthening how finance works for poor people at the household, small enterprise, and local infrastructure levels, UNCDF contributes to SDG 1 on eradicating poverty with a focus on reaching the last mile and addressing exclusion and inequalities of access. At the same time, UNCDF deploys its capital finance mandate in line with SDG 17 on the means of implementation, to unlock public and private finance for the poor at the local level. By identifying those market segments where innovative financing models can have a transformational impact in helping to reach the last mile, UNCDF contributes to a number of different SDGs and currently to 28 of 169 targets.
To that effect, Office of Finance and Management services (OFMS) aim at enhancing the institutional effectiveness of UNCDF through operational solutions, development of management policies, prescriptive content, and overall management of all operational, resource management and financial aspects of the organization. OFMS based in UNCDF Headquarters, New York, along with out-posted staff across regional and field offices oversees policy adherence, safeguarding UNCDF and Executive Secretary’s accountability while providing advisory, transactional services and support to UNCDF in its core functional areas of accounts and finance; human resources; operations and procurement; and information technology.
Duties and ResponsibilitiesScope of Work
Considering the scope of increasing coverage, it is deemed necessary to recruit a Finance Specialist under PSA contract to support with the financial section. The Finance Specialist will report to the Head of Finance Team and is expected to work closely with Human Resources, Procurement and Finance teams located in Headquarters as well as regional, field offices, programme and operations colleagues. The main objective of this contract is to engage an IPSA to support the operations team in full accordance and compliance with UNCDF/UNDP rules and regulations and should ensure accuracy, transparency and integrity with a high degree of quality assurance in performing the functions of this post.
The IPSA holder’s responsibilities will cover the following broad functional areas:
1) Serve as the focal point for monthly, quarterly and year-end closure:
Coordinate with various units in FMS and issue closure instructions; Liaise with regional staff, other HQ units to ensure closure is completed on time; Analyze general ledger on regular basis and follow up on corrective actions required; Process fixed asset accounting; Process financial instrument accounting (i.e. loans, guarantees etc.); Reconcile between payroll vs general ledger.2) Serve as the focal point for monitoring finance performance Key Performance Indicators (KPI) on regular basis:
Design and improve dashboard for finance performance KPIs; Monitor the performance on regular basis and follow up with units concerned to take necessary actions; Oversee and lead the day-to-day operations of financial transactions processing by all finance users.3) Coordinate the preparation and submission of statutory and other corporate reports, including:
Financial statements; Integrated budget; Corporate reports to the Executive Boards; Other corporate reports and financial analysis.4) Monitor corporate risk management;
Design and improve dashboard for corporate risk management; Manage and monitor the compliance on Enterprise Risk Management policy; Manage and monitor the compliance on Internal Control Framework.5) Contribute to the internal and external audit:
Prepare required documents; Follow up on outstanding audit observations.6) Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and provide guidance to stakeholders on financial and related matters.
Organize training for the operations/ projects staff on Finance and assist in providing regular training and technical guidance/advice on audit and compliance matters, including implementation of Internal Control Framework (ICF). Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in Finance. Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
The IPSA holder shall be working under the direct guidance of the Head of Finance Team and overall supervision of the Head, OFMS. During the engagement, s/he is expected to work harmoniously with the Finance team in Headquarters and closely with FMS team across the organization. S/He may also liaise with counterparts from UNDP where needed.
S/He also may be required to periodically provide updates to the Head of OFMS and/or the Senior Management on the status of the work or any issues.
CompetenciesCore
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Thematic Area Name Definition
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 Management ProjectManagement
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
Business Management - Customer Satisfaction/Client Management
Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.Finance - Accounting (General)
Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, regulations, policies and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.Finance - Financial Planning and Budgeting
Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNCDF’s long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analyzing and reporting.Finance - Finance Business Partnering
Able to support business units and add value by innovating and providing solutions to financial issues/queries, including through FAQs, financial tools, advisory, etc. Influences and appropriately challenges non-finance colleagues for whom the service is being provided. Understands the operations, opportunities and challenges of the organization. Holds a commercial outlook, demonstrating accountability towards organizational goals. Required Skills and ExperienceMinimum years of relevant Work Experience
Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in providing financial management advisory services, and/or managing staff and operational systems. Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required.Required skills and Competencies
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 is required.
Desired additional skills and competencies
Experience with UNCDF/UNDP/UN financial rule and regulations, policies and practices will be an added advantage. Proficiency in using advanced web-based management systems such as ERP financials and database packages. E.g. Quantum, Atlas or other accounting and financial management software is desired. Experience in ensuring financial processes adhere to organizational requirements is a plus.Required Language(s) (at working level)
Fluency in English is required.
Working knowledge of French considered an asset. Disclaimer Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)This vacancy is archived.