Background
UNDPโs mission as part of the UN system is to achieve sustainable development and fight poverty wherever it is greatest. This requires the very best of us, world-class collaboration, innovative thinking, resilient-based strategies, and continuous learning. UNDPโs competitive advantage as a development partner of choice comes from having the trust of developing countries, owing to our impartial character, transparency, and longstanding presence and commitment to the poorest and most vulnerable. We offer opportunities to make a lasting difference to the more than 170 countries to which we commit our support and expertise.
Following the power shift in August 2021, the situation for the country remains largely uncertain and fragile, with approximately seventy percent of the population facing multifaceted vulnerabilities affecting their well-being, human security and long-term development while nearly a third of the population are estimated to be acutely food insecure. Women and girls are increasingly stripped of their rights to education, employment and free participation in public life that will have irrevocable socioeconomic consequences.ย Over the recent years, the international humanitarian assistance has played a vital role in averting a socioeconomic collapse by providing lifesaving, resilience-building and livelihoods-sustaining assistance to millions of people, hundreds of critical healthcare and educational centres, and tens of thousands of small and medium enterprises, often owned and managed by women. Nevertheless, the humanitarian challenge in Afghanistan, which is one of the biggest in the world, and basic human needs and priorities remain extremely high. In 2024, 95 percent of the households experienced at least one shock of an economic or natural disaster nature such as floods, droughts and others.ย
To help tackle the pressing challenges for enduring livelihoods and climate resilience, UNDP is designing fit-for-purpose portfolios of programs to create new livelihoods, income opportunities, basic services and to build resilience against climate-induced natural calamities that continue to haunt millions of households in the country.ย
Afghanistan remains one of the most gender-unequal countries in the world, with women facing systemic challenges hindering their access to education and employment opportunities in the public sector and restricting their participation in public life. UNDP remains committed to women's empowerment through capacity-building initiatives, livelihoods and self-employment/ employment support, enhancing gender-responsive decision-making at community level, and supporting local communities to include women, in line with UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace, and Security).
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. This is a recognition of the interconnected nature of development risks and crises that the world is facing and that calls for assembling of multidisciplinary teams for an integrated and systemic response. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
The Finance unit in the country office is entrusted with ensuring the implementation of operational and financial management strategies and procedures, the effective and accurate financial resources management and oversight andย managing an optimal cost-recovery mechanism.ย It is also responsible for the proper control of country office accounts andย ensuring proper cash management, including liaising with the UNDP Global Shared Services Centre on disbursements, payroll, treasury, and accounting.
Duties and Responsibilities
Ensure administration and implementation of operational strategies and adapt processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results
Full compliance with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendation; implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system. CO Finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with office management Elaboration of proposals and implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies in consultations with office management.Provide accounting and administrative support to the Finance Unit focusing on achievement of the following results:
Verifying of the supporting documents for payments, review of financial reports for NEX projects. Maintaining of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed. transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Quantum.ย Support the year-end closure activities.ย Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers. Timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues. Support Head of Disbursement in Analysis of staff Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects and follow up.Support effectiveย liaison with GSSUย
Reviewing all request submitted for finalization and submission for approval of senior management,ย Liaising with GSSU for voucher creation, responding to any query,ย Reviewing and finalization of pay-cycle fileย Ensuring that the voucher payment method and vendor bank accounts are appropriately selected.ย Ensuring timely preparation of bank instruction letters and submission to local bank, including maintaining the record of all bank instruction letters, both in Finance Workspace and hard copies as appropriate.ย Ensuring timely issuance and distribution of cheques, including maintaining the record of necessary documents both in Finance Workspace and hard copies as appropriate. Following up with GSSU on the payment requests to ensure the requests are processed within the timeline. Ensuring that the vouchers processed are matched and completed, and transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Quantum.ยEnsure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:
Organization of training for the operations/Programme/projects staff on financial management. Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in financial management. Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Perform other duties as assigned to support any ad-hoc tasks.Perform other duties within your functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office
Institutional Arrangement
Under the overall guidance of the Finance Head of Finance Unit and supervision of the Finance Analyst (Deputy Head of Finance unit NOB) the Finance Associate provide financial service in the UNDP Afghanistan CO to ensure effective and transparent utilization of financial resources and integrity of financial services. The Finance Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.ย
He/Sheย works in close collaboration with Programme Teams and Operations Teams in the CO, GSSC, and other UN agencies staff to information to ensure consistent service delivery.ย
Competencies
Core Competencies Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvementsย Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexibleย Act with Determination:ย LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discriminationย
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies) Thematic Area Name Definition 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, analysing and reporting. Finance Finance business partnering Able to support business units and add value by innovating and providing solutions to financial issues/queries, including through FAQs, financial tools, advisory, etc. Influences and appropriately challenges non-finance colleagues for whom the service is being provided. Understands the operations, opportunities and challenges of the organization. Holds a commercial outlook, demonstrating accountability towards organizational goals. 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 management Result Based Management Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools Business management Customer Satisfaction/Client Management Ability to respond timely and appropriately with asense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, anddeliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns Business management Knowledge Facilitation Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Secondary education is required. A university degree(Bachelorโs degree) in Finance, Accountancy, or Business Studies will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement. Fully Qualified Accountant, from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy or Full Completion of theย UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP). No UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT)ย is required. Candidates with no professional accountancy qualifications, but with degrees that major in accountancy and/orย finance must complete UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited. However, noย UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) is required. Candidates with no professional accountancy qualifications but with relevant experience must successfullyย undertake UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) before shortlisting and must complete the UNDPย Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited.Experience:
Minimum of 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelorโs degree) of progressively responsible finance andย accounting experience at the national or international level is required.Required Skills:
Proven track record on Financial Management of Public entities, management of budgeting processes Demonstrated knowledge of and application of IPSAS and/or IFRS and/or Quantum Experience working in/with international donor-funded projects with finance duties.ย Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems.ยDesired Skills:
Demonstrated understanding of the UN environment, and the Finance and Accounting policies of UN and UNDP is an asset.ย Experience with ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft, is an asset. Knowledge and experience working in the UN or UNDP rules, regulations, policies and procedures is an asset. Solid experience in working with a multi-cultured group of people and systems in high-pressure environments is an asset Professional qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy.Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is required.ย Fluency in Dari and/or Pashtu is required.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.ย
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.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
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