The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the global development network of the United Nations system that is on the ground in 177 countries, with its Headquarters in New York, USA. The Bureau for Management Services (BMS) is a central Bureau tasked with the development of corporate strategies, policies, tools and systems in key cross-cutting management areas. Drawing on sound analytics and a risk-management approach, BMS supports the achievement of development results through management advice, innovative business solutions, and other corporate services in line with international best practices and evolving needs and expectations of development partners.
The Office of Financial Resources Management (OFRM) performs a pivotal role within BMS and within UNDP’s global finance function, partnering with Bureaux and Country Offices. The primary role of OFRM is to maintain the financial integrity of UNDP through providing financial leadership, supporting the efficient and effective management of its financial resources, promoting financial sustainability and responsible resource allocation in the context of a fluctuating funding environment. It also supports internal and external transparency through the provision of on-time and quality statutory and financial management reporting and other financial analytics.
As part of OFRM's Financial Business Partnering Division, reporting to the Deputy CFO, the Innovation and Solutions Team formulates innovative financial solutions. The Team supports senior finance staff seeking advice on complex and new financial and related policy issues that go beyond the existing financial frameworks, to transform finance and support development results. The services provided include policy advice, financial management training, development and review of new types of financial arrangements, tools and information management. The Team supports other OFRM units in extracting and interpreting financial data, and through the Analytics team located in Malaysia (co-located with UNDP’s Global Shared Service Centre (GSSC) in Kuala Lumpur), supports all OFRM units and the wider UNDP financial community with their analytical needs and reports.
Under the day-to-day supervision of the Finance Analytics Lead, the Finance Assistant is a key member of the Analytics team based in Malaysia, which is responsible for providing consistent, concise, accurate and actionable reporting and analysis by data mining, extraction and interpretation of information to help generate financial and budgetary insights that enable informed decision making and improve financial performance. Within this team, the Finance Assistant role involves the formulation of business unit’s reports, through data extraction, standard reports and queries, and adhoc analysis. The role will also provide some support to the refinement of functional specifications for ERP and/or BI system changes, as required.
Reporting to the Finance Analytics Lead, the Finance Assistant will provide financial reporting and analysis services to OFRM and the wider Finance community.
1) Perform extracts, build reports and dashboards on time and respecting guidance. Perform ad-hoc analysis as required. Perform appropriate checks as stipulated, and record results clearly.
2) Assist the Analytics Lead in developing the work plan and timelines to facilitate timely delivery to clients.
3) Identify and report discrepancies to the OFRM user community and recommend possible solutions to resolve data discrepancies.
4) Assist in the development of Financial systems functional specifications, and undertaking appropriate user tests in consultation with OIMT.
5) Support business units with refining their business requirements, including through formal interviews or facilitated sessions.
Core
Innovation
Ability to make new and useful ideas work
Leadership
Ability to persuade others to follow
People Management
Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
Communication
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
Delivery
Ability to get things done
Technical / Functional
Primary
Financial Reporting and Analysis
Ability to evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful manner
Audit
Ability to examine and verify accounts and records
Accounting (General)
Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, regulations, and policies and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
Financial Reporting and Budgeting
Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP’s long and short-term financial goals
Functional Technical Knowledge
Firm understanding of business intelligence tools, and the architecture and design of advanced integrated management systems, preferable including PeopleSoft. Good SQL and/or Python skills and ability to extract data from PeopleSoft using SQL, SQR, and other tools is a distinct advantage. People Tools expertise is also an asset. Good skills in data visualization and developing reports and dashboards using Microsoft Power BI and/or Tableau is a distinct advantage. Knowledge of and interest in technological innovations, such as machine learning, big data analysis, etc.is an asset.
Secondary
Knowledge Management
Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge
Operational Efficiency
Ability to identify and execute opportunities to improve operational efficiency
Problem Solving
Accurately accumulating information and its analysis; forecasting potential problems and planning; allowing for alternative, creative solutions and identifying most reasonable solutions
Education:
Secondary Education with specialized certification in Finance and/or Accounting, with certification in SQL, SQR, Python or equivalent, and complex data extraction routines.
Or
Secondary Education with specialized certification in Information Technology, Computer Science or any related quantitative field, with experience in Finance.
University degree desirable. Part-qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
Long-listed candidates will be required to undergo the UNDP Accountancy & Finance (AFT) Test.
Experience:
Minimum 5 years of relevant experience with Finance or Business Intelligence (BI) environments. Hands-on experience in analyzing financial information, data modeling, data mining, mapping of source to target data, conducting data quality tests, documenting functional requirements, and creating reports and dashboards in the financial arena a plus.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English. Knowledge of any other UN languages (French/Spanish/Arabic) is a plus.
Other:
Hands-on proficiency with SQL, SQR, Python, BI tools, Microsoft Power BI, and/or Tableau preferred. Experience in production of Financial reports and data management a plus.
Experience in the usage of computers and MS Office packages.
Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
Hands-on experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), preferably with PeopleSoft is desirable. Knowledge of and interest in technological innovations, such as machine learning, big data analysis, etc. is a distinct advantage.
Important applicant information
Internal mobility at GSSU is strongly encouraged and we reserve the right to reassign the newly appointed staff members with similar skillset and educational qualifications for similar functions and job categories at the same level in GSSU. The internal lateral movements will be determined based on the needs of the organization while allowing the newly recruits to broaden their skills, build networks and gain fresh experience and to better align their profiles with the jobs.
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
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
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Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension
This vacancy is archived.