Back Finance Specialist (Regional Services)

In May 2019, The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) approved the expansion of services of its Global Shared Services Unit (GSSU). With offices in Copenhagen, Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul, the GSSU services over 180 countries, 40,000 personnel and more than 40 other UN Agencies and Organizations. Through its functional lines, GSSU ensures high quality and timely delivery of human resources, financial and procurement services as well as information and innovative tools to its various clients and stakeholders.

The Global Shared Services Unit (GSSU) within the Bureau for Management Services (BMS) supports all UNDP offices and units with the provision of transactional services. This includes a core set of transactions in Finance and HR that are already being handled by the Global Shared Service Unit (GSSU) in Kuala Lumpur. The GSSU is led by the Director), who reports to the Director of Bureau for Management Services (BMS).

The Finance Specialist supervises inter alia the timely and accurate recording of general accounting transactions to the General Ledger and the accurate recording of revenues. The Finance Specialist will be required to work closely with all UNDP Country Offices, Regional Bureaus and divisions within the Office of Financial Resources Management (OFRM) to ensure the integrity of UNDP financial records. The incumbent also provides input to the preparation of corporate reports and financial schedules to support the corporate financial statements (interim financial and annual) as well as audit requests.

The Finance Specialist is responsible for the management and implementation of the financial functions listed below, including but not limited to:

Payable Services

Revenue Services & Contribution Management Services

General Accounting Services

Project Accounting Services

Quality Assurance

Client Management

The incumbent will monitor team work in accordance to Service Agreements, will have a transparent and open communication with GSSU clients, and report any deviation to the Service Agreements so that corrective actions can be taken in time. The incumbent will improve regularly the team processes, in a continuous improvement culture.

The Finance Specialist reports directly to the Manager, Customer Service and Quality Assurance.

In this section list the primary responsibilities of the position (Typically five).  As needed add additional context below the responsibilities.  Tip: Focus on what the job entails not how to do the job. 

• Team development: Develops and leads a cohesive, client-oriented and highly skilled Regional Service Team(s) that understands and is fully committed to its purpose and the achievement of the GSSU’s functions, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs);

• Work planning: Prepares teamwork plans, establishes targets and monitors achievement of results; 
• Performance monitoring and management: Helps instill a performance management culture throughout the GSSU, including continuously evaluating services to clients with a view to improving delivery through innovation and deployment of best practices;
• Business improvement and innovation: Keeps abreast of latest innovations in the area of Global Business Solutions. Supports initiatives to take forward the development and improvement of the GSSU, including design and enforcement of workflows and Standard Operating Procedures for all areas of responsibility;
• Transaction processing: Manages the provision of transactional and advisory services for quick service - tier 1 – transactions and advisory services for the client groups; and the specialized - tier 2 – transactions and advisory services of the specified scope to the client groups.
• Workload management: Works with the specialized service teams, ensure that the GSSU responds to volumes and workload, including delegation and management of GSSU workload on a daily basis – and careful planning for peak workload periods. This also includes management of the flexible working arrangements, as required.

       2. The Finance Specialist (Regional Services) is responsible for the high quality                         provision of transactional, advisory and support services to client offices coordinating             the provision of  finance  transactions and advisory services, including Revenue and               Treasury Accounting, Procure to Pay, Record to Report, HR Finance, Analytics and                 other related business processes services.  These services should be provided whilst             ensuring full compliance to financial processes and financial records with UNDP                     Financial regulations and rules, the internal control framework, and other policies and             strategies.

            In providing services to the regions, the Finance Specialist (Regional Services) is                    responsible for:

• Client relationship management: Provides a comprehensive solution-oriented advice to the clients. Ensures high levels of customer focus and satisfaction and manage the interface with key stakeholders. This includes overseeing the use and maintenance of the CRM system(s) and other related tools, following up on escalated complaints or concerns from clients, working with employees and providing guidance during complex situations to acquire appropriate resolutions for clients and the GSSU;

• Accounting service provision: Performs ATLAS ARGUS Approving Manager and other Supplementary Roles as per the GSSU Internal Control Framework, based on the functional profile.

• Advocacy of services:  Capitalizes on opportunities to promote and advocate for the services of the GSSU; supports development of new service lines as and when required by the GSSU Senior Management.

• Escalation of issues: Ensures that employees follow all GSSU protocols while dealing with clients and escalation of cases to the GSSU Senior management when required.

       3. Facilitation of Knowledge Management and Learning focusing in the achievement of               the following results:

• Contributes to a cohesive, client-oriented and high performing team that is fully committed to its purpose, the achievement of the GSSU’s functions and corporate results; 
• Contributes to the improvement of staff capacities (both in client offices and the GSSU) and the overall performance of financial management in client offices, by providing sound inputs to the design, organization and implementation of training programmes in the implementation of UNDP’s financial and resource management guidelines, ensuring full compliance with IPSAS, corporate policies and prescriptive content;
• Provides Focal Point leadership to GSSC staff for specific geographic regions as designated, by developing a keen understanding of the region, its opportunities, challenges and service requirements;
• Ensures: i) close collaboration with other GSSU Teams, i.e. Client/Project Management and Implementation Teams; ii) synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices. Consolidates client feedback in the areas of all finance transactions and advisory services, including Revenue and Treasury Accounting, Procure to Pay, Record to Report, HR Finance, Analytics and other related business processes;
• Supports OFRM, PSU and Regional Bureaux oversight of the country offices and the regions as a whole as well as HQ offices by providing inputs for the preparation of country analysis reports using a wide range of financial and other relevant data, contributing to the assessment and rating of the performance of the country offices;
• Provides sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

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 while exercising good judgement

Technical / Functional

Accounting (General)

Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, regulations, and policies and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Audit 

Ability to examine and verify accounts and records

Financial Reporting and Analysis

Ability to evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful manner

Knowledge Management

Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge

Education:

Advanced (Master’s) University Degree in Finance or Accounting or a professional accounting qualification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy. Those with professional accounting qualification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage. 

The candidates may be required to undergo the UNDP Advanced Accountancy and Finance Test.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in accounting/finance;
• Experience in providing financial management services and/or managing staff and operational systems.
• Working experience at the required managerial level in UN/UNDP operations/financial management is desirable.
• Management of case management tools and business analytics systems is an asset.   

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in English. Working knowledge of other UN language desirable (French/Spanish/Arabic) is an asset.

Other:

• Experience in the usage of computers and MS Office packages. Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
• Experience in handling of web-based management systems.
• Hands-on experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), preferably with ATLAS (PeopleSoft) is required.
• Experience in handling Client Relationship Management (CRM) applications desirable.  

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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