- Monitoring and promoting full compliance of the MCO and projects with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations; implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system;
- Contributing to MCO Finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of Standard Operating Procedures in Programme Finance/Finance. Identification of operational and financial problems, and identification of effective solutions in collaboration with other teams in the MCO and projects;
- Elaboration of proposals for, and implementation of, cost saving and reduction strategies in consultations with MCO management;
- Support to development and implementation of Direct Project Cost mechanism for development projects in line with corporate policy;
- Routinely monitoring financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigates anomalies.
- Support to continuous disaggregated analysis and monitoring of the financial resources (regular and other resources) of the programme and development projects; and preparation of monthly financial reports for all projects on progress on delivery, resource mobilization and revenue generation against annual targets; presentation of cashflow forecasts. Identification of issues and monitoring resolution;
- Support to management of the UNDP Samoa Multi-Country Office programme tree and programme pipeline module in Atlas;
- Support to programme and project teams during project formulation and implementation. This includes support to timely preparation of annual work plans and budgets in Atlas during implementation, and monitoring/support of day to day management of budget execution to ensure that project financial resources are used in line with approved work plans and corporate requirements. Support to eliminating budget deficits;
- Regular tracking of cash advances to Implementing Partners and Responsible Parties, and follow up on their timely liquidation with programme teams. Monitoring and preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the services provided by UNDP to projects. Implementation of an income tracking system and follow up on cost recovery;
- Monitoring of Combined Delivery Reporting for all projects to ensure compliance with UNDP policy;
- Support to oversight of year-end closure of accounts and quality certification;
- Regular monitoring of relevant corporate dashboards to detect exceptions and identify remedial actions;
- Supports programme teams in timely project closures fulfilling all requirements.
- Support to elaboration of the framework and conditions of contributions within the MCO resources mobilization efforts;
- Support to managing the MCO’s resource mobilization pipeline working with programme teams and senior management;
- Support to management, control and reporting on all third-party financing contributions. Acting as focal point for donor agreements, including clearing and recording agreements, following up with donors and GSSC on tranches and preparation of financial reports to donors;
- Advice to programme and project staff on different donor reporting requirements.
- Support to implementation of the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) in UNDP Samoa Multi-Country Office, in collaboration with other UN agencies, including timely planning and conducting of HACT macro assessment, micro assessments and assurance activities in full compliance with the UNDP policy and procedures on HACT;
- Ensure that the specific risks identified in the micro assessments are incorporated into MCO risk management measures and MCO and project risk logs, as appropriate, and that they are followed up on;
- Support to preparations for and coordination/facilitation of MCO/DIM/HACT audits. This includes provision of technical guidance to projects and MCO units in preparation for audits and external reviews, and organization of pre-audit meetings with relevant MCO and project staff, UNDP Office of Audit and Investigation (OAI) auditors and external audit firms;
- Formulation of quality draft management responses and follow up on timely implementation of recommendations. This includes provision of technical guidance to projects and MCO units in the development of action plans for follow up on implementation of audit recommendations and reporting, and tracking of progress;
- Procurement of audit services for HACT audits in collaboration with the Operations team.
- Providing guidance as needed to project staff in programme finance matters;
- Organization/conduct of training for the MCO and project personnel as well as personnel of partner entities involved in implementation on financial planning and management, monitoring and reporting;
- Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in programme finance;
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Core:
- Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully.
- Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others.
- Models independent thinking and action.
- Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis.
- Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services.
Technical/ Functional:
Knowledge Management
- Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.
- Ability to evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful manner.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of professionals towards common goals.
- Ability to effectively communicate intensions and requirements to internal and external stakeholders.
- Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, regulations and policies and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.
- Ability to examine and verify accounts and records.
- Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.
- Advanced university degree (Master's degree) in Accounting and Finance, Business, Public Administration, Economics, or related field, Or a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in one of the above disciplines in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience;
- An advanced professional qualification in accounting like CA/CPA from an internationally recognized institution of accountancy would be accepted in lieu of a University Degree.
- Relevant experience in financial management, programme/project support or operational systems management, with demonstrated ability in managing resources and budgets;
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web- based management systems. Experience with ERP systems, preferably PeopleSoft, is desirable;
- Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required for external candidates.
- Fluency in English and Samoan both written and verbal.
- This vacancy is open to Samoan nationals only;
- Women candidates are encouraged to apply;
- Candidates are required to pass the UNDP Advanced Accounting and Finance Test (AAFT). Candidates holding an advanced professional accountancy qualification from a recognized accountancy institution are exempted from this requirement.
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
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.
Scam warning
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension