Background
The Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC) within the Bureau for Management Services (BMS) supports UNDP in the promotion of its sustainable human development agenda. It achieves this by developing and making fully operational a dynamic and harmonized integrated resource management framework.
As part of this commitment, UNDP adopted International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) on 1 January 2012 and established the Global Shared Service Centre (GSSC) to serve UNDP’s network of offices (covering 166 countries around the world) in the provision of financial, accounting and procurement services. In addition to their day to-day operations, the GSSC supports UNDP’s country offices through transactions support training where needed.
Position Purpose
The Finance Assistant is responsible for supporting the work assigned to the Finance sub-unit and applies the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to provide the required services. Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Finance Analyst/Associate, the Finance Assistant is responsible to perform any of the financial functions listed below, including but not limited to:
Payable and Fixed Assets Services Revenue & Contribution Management Services Deposit Recording and Application Banking (Bank Reconciliations and Payment Processing) Services Project Accounting Services Agency ServicesUNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities
1.) Ensures administration and implementation of operational and financial management strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:
A Full compliance with UN/UNDP rules and regulations of financial processes, financial records and reports and audit follow up, implementation of the effective internal control framework. Finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in Finance in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management. Ensures financial records are compliant with SOPs, IPSAS and other UNDP Financial Rules and Regulations.2.) Provides accounting and finance support to Country Offices (COs) and performs transactional and analytical functions focusing on achievement of the following results:
Proper review/validation of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports for National Implementation Modality (NIM) and Direct Implementation Modality (DIM) projects, preparation of all types of invoices, pay cycle and payments execution. Timely execution of payment processing requests and validation of payment data. Approval of suppliers in Quantum. Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that invoices processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Quantum. Timely follow up with COs on unposted invoices, including the invoices with funds check errors, match exceptions, unapproved invoices.3.) Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the Finance Unit focusing on the achievement of the following results:
Support the organization of training for staff in the Finance Stream. Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in Finance. 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.
Competencies
Core Competencies:
Achieve Results:
LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadlineThink Innovatively:
LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvementsLearn Continuously:
LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedbackAdapt with Agility:
LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexibleAct with Determination:
LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confidentEngage and Partner:
LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationshipsEnable Diversity and Inclusion:
LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discriminationCross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Finance/Audit (General):
Understands how regulations and professional standards in internal and external audit underpin audit work in the public services. Understands the key stages of audit work, including planning, documentation, testing and reporting. Ability to examine and verify accounts and records. Understands wider mechanisms for assurance and scrutiny. Understands the law and best practice relating to anti-bribery and corruption controls and the fraud risks faced by public bodies.Finance/Accounting (General):
Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks, standards, regulations, policies and trends, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.Finance/Financial planning and budgeting:
Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analyzing and reporting.Finance/Financial reporting and analysis:
Understands changes in regulatory, legal and ethical frameworks and standards for financial reporting in the public sector. Ability to extract, evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful and coherent manner to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring. Understands the benefits of integrated reporting, including non-financial resources such as human, social and intellectual capital, and environmental and governance performance.Business Development/Knowledge Generation:
Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.Business Direction and Strategy/Business Acumen:
Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome. Ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks. Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization.Business Management/Operations Management:
Ability to effectively plan, organize and oversee different parts of corporate operations, simultaneously and in an integrated way, in order to convert the organization’s assets into the best results in the most efficient way. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Secondary Education with specialized certification in accounting and/or Finance is required. Or University degree in Finance or Accounting desirable. Part-qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage. Candidates with accountancy certification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage. Candidates without certification but with relevant experience must complete the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited.Experience:
Minimum 5 years (with secondary school education) or 2 years (with a Bachelors’ degree) of relevant experience in finance at the national or international level. Experience in the usage of computers and MS Office packages is required. Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages is desired. Experience in handling of web-based management systems and ERP financials, preferably Oracle Cloud is an asset. Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required for external candidates. Previous experience with UN/ UNDP is an advantage.Language Requirements:
Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of French is an asset. Working knowledge of other UN language desirable.Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Probation
For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Right to select multiple candidates
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.
Scam alert
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