UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNDP 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.
Strengthening accountability and tackling corruption are essential pre-requisites for Iraq's long-term stability, economic recovery, and development. Both Iraqi and regional Kurdish governments have recently initiated steps to drive an ambitious anticorruption agenda. However, significant gaps remain in legislative and strategic framework, investigation and adjudication, enforcement and recovery of stolen assets. Iraq adopted in March 2021 the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, but implementation measures are needed. UNDP in Iraq launched a project in May 2021 to support public partners at federal and the Kurdistan Regional Government to improve their capacity and legal framework to combat corruption and conduct commercial litigation.
The project titled “support to justice initiatives curbing corruption and promoting commercial dispute resolution” (hereinafter, Anti-Corruption & Arbitration Initiatives, ACAI) is funded by the European Union for a period of four years. The project works closely with the Prime Minister Office in Baghdad and supports directly the Commission of Integrity, the Higher Judicial Council and the Legal and Integrity Committees of the Council of Representatives. In Erbil, the project follows a similar mechanism of collaboration. Further, the project works with key civil society and investigative media organizations.
The project has the following specific outcomes: (1) Improved Legislative and Strategic Framework for Anti-Corruption Reforms; (2) The justice sector, lawyers and CoI are better equipped to process corruption offences due to (2.1) improved technical skills relevant for corruption investigation, prosecution, adjudication and (2.2) improved integrity rules of the justice sector; (3) Improved capacity and legal framework to conduct commercial litigation through (3.1) better legal framework and capacity building for arbitration and (3.2) further development of the commercial court; (4) Create a climate of support in Parliament for anti-corruption reforms; (5) Increased transparency and public accountability.
Planning and Management:
- Ensure that the finance and accounting systems requirements are followed maintaining compatibility withUNDP financial and accounting procedures';
- Assist to prepare budget revisions of the projects based on project proposal and budget; assist in thepreparation of the AWP;
- Ensure uploading of Atlas Project Budget and Multiyear budget;
- Provide Atlas Budgetary inputs in line with project approved AWPs;
- Prepare quarterly Fund Authorization and Certification of Expenditures (FACE) and ensure timelysubmission to UNDP;
- Assist the Project Team for preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports to UNDP.
Implementation of financial operational strategies and procedures:
- Full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations of financial processes, financial records and reports andaudit follow-up; implementation of the internal control framework;
- Support to UNDP CO for business processes mapping and monitoring and implementation of the internalstandard operating procedures maintained in the project in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management;
- Collection and consolidation of financial information for further analyses and reporting by the Project;
- Comply and verify budget and accounting data by researching files, calculating costs, and estimatinganticipated expenditures from readily available information sources, in particular partner agencies;
- Prepare status report, progress reports, and other required financial reports as needed;
- Assist in setting up internal control system and financial data as per UNDP guidelines;
- Provide assistance to prepare periodic accounting records, maintain delivery records, make programtransactions in UNDP format, prepare draft budget revisions, shadow budgets, cost sharing and other financial and accounting reports;
- Review financial statements, expenditure as stated in the financial reports of partner organizations;
- Monitor fund disbursement and adjustment of partner organizations.
Accounting and Administration of budgets:
- Assist Project Management in settlements of DSA and other claims of staff and other service providers asper UNDP rules;
- Assist the Project Manager and Project Management Officer for all kinds of financial and projectmanagement related activities including liaison with different government agencies/UNDP CO/donor partners, NGOs and other key stakeholders, as directed;
- Prepare periodic accounting records by recording receipts and disbursements (ledgers, cash books,vouchers, etc.) and reconciling data for recurring or financial special reports and assist in preparation of annual procurement plan;
- Support project financial closure formalities including submission of terminal reports, transfer anddisposal of equipment, processing of semi-final and final revisions, and support professional staff in preparing the terminal assessment reports;
- Prepare reports and documents as per specified formats, project, or programme plans and generalreference documents as well as general administrative/financial or specialized tasks related to the project which may be of a confidential nature within the assigned area of responsibility;
- Assist in the timely issuance of contracts and assurance of other eligible entitlements of the projectspersonnel, experts, and consultants by preparing annual recruitment plans;
- Preparation of detailed cost estimates and participation in budget analysis and projections as required;
- Any other task assigned by the Project Manager.
Institutional Arrangement
- The Project Associate shall report directly to the Project Manager and closely work with the Project Management Officer.
- Ability to plan and priorities work activities to meetorganizational goals and organize and oversee work processes efficiently to achieve quality results;
- An openness to new approaches for managing work complexityand unexpected issues;
- Team spirit and excellent interpersonal skills;
- The ability to model the UN's values and ethical standards, andto promote UNDP’s and the UN’s vision, mission, and strategic goals.
Minimum Academic Education:
- Master’s Degree in finance, accounting, business administration, economics or a related area. Bachelor’s degree with additional 1 years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of Master’s.
Minimum years of relevant Work experience:
- Minimum 1 year of relevant experience in financial andadministrative management.
Required skills and competencies:
- Ability to plan and priorities work activities to meetorganizational goals and organize and oversee work processes efficiently to achieve quality results;
- An openness to new approaches for managing work complexityand unexpected issues;
- Team spirit and excellent interpersonal skills;
- The ability to model the UN's values and ethical standards, andto promote UNDP’s and the UN’s vision, mission, and strategic goals.
Desired additional skills and competencies:
- Experience working directly with UN agencies is desirable;
- Experience in European Union-funded projects;
- Experience in training of government officials will be an asset;
- Knowledge of donor financial reporting and project proposaldrafting is an advantage.
Required Language(s) (at working level):
- Fluency in Arabic and English is required;
- Fluency in Kurdish is desirable.
Important applicant information
All posts in the SC 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.
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Contract Duration: 12 Months