Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative, and the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (Programme & Operations), the Programme Finance Analyst will be responsible for leading and coordinating the overall work and day-to-day management of the PMSU, in consultation with the DRR (P&O)), and for making UNDP Eswatini more accountable in terms of performance and management for results. S(he) will also have responsibility and accountability for the effective and efficient provision of programme management advisory support services to all programme pillars).
The Programme Finance Analyst will supervise the staff of the PMSU and will be responsible for fostering collaboration within the Unit, and for working in close collaboration with the Operations team and other relevant colleagues. S(he) will also provide coordinated, systematic, client-oriented and timely planning and programme/project management advisory services to the country office management and staff.
The PMSU will focus on:
- Enhancing the efficiency and impact of UNDP Eswatini programme delivery by ensuring the coherence of the CPD/CPAP including a RBM focus,
- Harmonizing processes and procedures across all Programme pillars to ensure efficient programme implementation and operations support. The PMSU will also play an important internal programme oversight and assurance role vis-à-vis UNDP accountability for results and for the appropriate use of resources, including corporate rules and regulations and targets such as the ERBM, Compliance Performance Index (CPI) and Executive Snapshot etc.
Summary of Key Functions
- Strategic Planning/Knowledge Management
- Programme management (including RBM)
- Programme management advisory services
- Dedicated strategic/management support to Deputy Resident Representative (P&O)
- Overall management of the Unit, including supervision/mentoring of staff
Strategic Planning/Knowledge Management
- Help define CO’s annual strategic programme goals, including definition of programme outcomes, outcome indicators and yearly output targets
- Provide support to DRR (P&O) for annual work planning process/UNCT integrated workplan
- Support programme staff to prepare Annual Work Plans with narratives, attainable targets and appropriate indicators
- Support UNDAF/CPD/CPAP implementation and participate in annual reviews
- Act as knowledge management focal point for the programme section, and keep up to date with corporate UNDP knowledge management issues
- Make contributions to UNDP knowledge networks and communities of practice
- Support analyses of lessons learned and other processes, and prepare knowledge products to be disseminated within UNDP, its partners and UNCT.
- Coordinate strategic planning, monitoring and reporting by leading the process of obtaining substantive inputs on cross-cutting programme issues (e.g. gender, CPR) from technical advisors within CO.
Programme management (including RBM)
- Ensure RBM focus for all programmes and projects and support building of CO’s capacity in RBM
- Effectively apply RBM tools, support establishment of management targets (CPI and monitor achievement of results.
- Lead/implement training needs assessments, and provide trainings to UNDP staff on UNDP programme/project management procedures (including RBM & Atlas)
- Coordinate implementation of CEDAR (Capacity for Efficient Delivery of Achievable Results) project, as well as internal SOPs in RBM
- Implement appropriate accountability and monitoring strategies and implementation of corporate guidance in projects (ICF, DoA etc)
- Organize and participate substantively in peer reviews of work plans, concept notes etc
- Coordinate timely closure of projects after operational completion
- Support implementation of UNDP corporate policies and guidelines for operational issues and their implementation in the CO.
- Provide quality briefs and options to senior management on issues related to the nexus between Programme/Operations, in close cooperation with Operations.
- Support CO staff in annual resource mobilisation and delivery planning exercise and resource management in Atlas, ensuring coherence between Atlas and the RBM Integrated Platform.
- Provide support in risk management and accountability initiatives such as audit, annual reviews etc.
Programme management advisory services
- Provide advice and oversight of project management arrangements and implementation modalities (DEX, NIM) to UNDP staff, and its government and NGO partners
- Based on business process mapping, workflow and workload analysis develop uniform and harmonized processes, procedures and templates across both programme pillars, and with sub-offices and project offices
- Help to develop system for programmatic/operational synergies between two programme pillars.
- Coordinate annual budget (financial delivery target) for both programme pillars with regular monitoring and reporting
- Provide advice and monitoring of corporate score cards
- Act as Secretary for LPAC, and actively participate in review of programme proposals for new projects to contribute to programming quality
- When required, perform Project Assurance functions.
- Support provisions of training and advisory services to Government and NGO partners on financial management including FACE form, resource and budget planning, operational procedures.
- Provide support and advice on the preparation of agreements with partners (i.e. MOUs with donors, Governments, NGOs, UN Agencies, private sector, and other partners).
Overall management of the Unit, including supervision/mentoring of staff
- Manage day-to-day operations of his/her Unit
- Develop and implement Unit’s strategy/annual workplan
- Ensure compliance of Unit’s activities with UNDP rules, regulations and policies
- Ensure equitable distribution of workload among Unit’s staff, taking into account workload of matrixed programme specialists/national programme officers
- Ensure proper staff performance appraisal and promote personal and professional capacity development
- Undertake mentoring/coaching/capacity development of national staff, including national programme officers, to build national programme implementation capacity.
The impact of results will:
- Enhance the efficiency and impact of UNDP programme delivery by ensuring coherence of the CPD/CPAP including an RBM focus and the inclusion of cross-cutting issues.
- Harmonized processes and procedures across both programme pillars to ensure efficient programme implementation and operations support; and
- Improved internal programme oversight and assurance role vis-à-vis UNDP accountability for results and for the appropriate use of resources.
Functional Competencies:
Building Partnerships
Level 1.2: Maintaining information and databases
Tracks and reports on mobilized resources
Promoting Organizational Learning And Knowledge Sharing
Level 1.2: Basic research and analysis
- Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things
- Identifies and communicates opportunities to promote learning and knowledge sharing
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise
Level 1.2: Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures
- Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position
- Possesses knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks (specialized knowledge related to financial resources management, including formulating budgets, maintaining Accounts Receivables and Accounts Payables, reporting).
- Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning
- Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
Promoting Organizational Change and Development
Level 1.2: Presentation of information on best practices in organizational change
- Documents ‘best practices’ in organizational change and development within and outside the UN system
- Demonstrates ability to identify problems and proposes solutions
Design and Implementation of Management Systems
Level 1.2: Data gathering and implementation of management systems
- Uses information/databases/other management systems
- Makes recommendations related to work procedures and implementation of management systems
Client Orientation
Level 1.2: Maintains effective client relationships
- Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion
- Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
- Responds to client needs promptly
Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management
Level 1.2: Gathering and disseminating information
Core Competencies:
- Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
- Self-development, initiative-taking
- Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
- Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
- Creating synergies through self-control
- Managing conflict
- Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
- Informed and transparent decision making.
Education:
- Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration; Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with four additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- Qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
Experience:
- 2 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
- Excellent knowledge of and experience with results-based management methodologies and tools.
- Experience in working in a multi-national setting with people from different cultural backgrounds.
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages and experience in handling of web-based management systems.
Language Requirement:
- Proficiency in written and spoken English and SiSwati.
Important applicant information
All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.
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.
Workforce diversity
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Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension