Background
With offices in Copenhagen, Kuala Lumpur, Dakar, Amman, Panama City and Istanbul, the Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC) services over 180 countries, 40,000 personnel and more than 40 other UN Agencies and Organizations. Through its functional service lines, GSSC 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.ย
The GSSC is led by the Director, who reports to the Director of Bureau for Management Services (BMS). Reporting to the Finance Specialist/Analyst, the Finance Associate works collaboratively within the GSSC Finance Service Delivery Teams with a client-oriented approach.
The Finance Associate provides financial services that ensure effective and transparent utilization of financial resources by supporting:
administration and implementation of operational finance strategies, processes and proceduresย accounting and administrative support services cash managementย quality assurance and complianceDuties and Responsibilities
1.) Ensures administration and implementation of operational finance strategies, processes and proceduresย 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 recommendations; implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system. Finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of 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. Review, analyse and recommend improved work processes.2.) Provides accounting and administrative support to the Finance Unitย focusing on achievement of the following results
Proper control of the supporting documents for payments, review of financial reports for NEX projects. Creation and approval of vendors in ERP (as a senior member of the Finance team). Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in ERP; payrolls are duly prepared; travel claims, MPOs and other entitlements are duly processed.ย Coordination and review of accounts closure and project closure. 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.ย Maintenance of the Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects and follow up with partners on contributions. Timely and accurate recording of General Ledger transactions (assets, cash, investment, and others). Support the Team Lead in the preparation of investment financial schedules, internal reports production of working papers and variance analysis reports and support to the preparation of annual financial statements.ย Defines relevant data, processes, systems to be performed and relevant analysis by recording its activities, analysing discrepancies, and participating in continuous improvement exercises.ย Timely and accurate recording of accounting and financial records.ย Ensures completeness of Revenue and Treasury operations for UNDP and other organizations served by UNDP. Conducts accounts analysis between sub-system and GL in ERP, to prepare accounts reconciliations, identify differences and take corrective actions.ย3.) Ensures proper cash managementย focusing on achievement of the following results:
Timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements. Timely identification and recording of receipts for income application. Daily review of zero-balance account bank statements in ERP to monitor imprest level; identification and recording of contributions. Alternate to Finance Analyst (or Operations Manager) as primary contact with bank management on routine operational matters including negotiation of exchange rate on replenishment.ย Approval and submission of monthly UN exchange rate report to Treasury. Timely and accurate preparation of bank reconciliations. Selecting bank transfers and deals for approval and settlements. Performing pay cycle manager role in ERP. Timely preparation of monthly cashflow forecast for use by Operations Manager/Finance Analyst. Liaison with UN Agencies to obtain estimate of their cash requirements. Alternate as cashier for cash disbursements made on site.4.) Ensures quality assurance and compliance with regulations and rules, best practice and guidance:
Performs post facto reviews of transactions and works with relevant offices to address any impediments/improve service. Completes reports on spot/check findings and provide recommendations for remedial action. Monitors and updates the GSSC risk register in consultation with GSSC Service Teams Leads. Supports development and training in respect of service lines, workflows, and standard operating procedures to be amended or optimized. Supports standardization through developing and establishing quality assurance mechanisms and assists in the development of the training and onboarding process for new GSSC staff.Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: The Finance Associate functions as team lead within the service delivery team, overseeing the work of more junior colleagues as required.
Competencies
Core Competencies
Achieve Resultsย :ย LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work Think Innovativelyย :ย LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking Learn Continuouslyย :ย LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning Adapt with Agilityย :ย LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process Act with Determinationย :ย LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously Engage and Partnerย :ย LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships Enable Diversity and Inclusionย :ย LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision makingยCross Functional and Technical Competencies
Finance - Audit (General)
Understands how regulations and professional standards in internal and external audit underpin audit work in the public services.ย Understands the key stages of audit work, including planning, documentation, testing and reporting. Ability to examine and verify accounts and records.ย Understands wider mechanisms for assurance and scrutiny.ย 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 situationsFinance - 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 reportingFinance - Financial Reporting and Analysis
Business Development - Knowledge Generation
Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated needBusiness 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 Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworksBusiness Management - Operations Management
Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the Organizationโs business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner.ย Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanismsRequired Skills and Experience
Education:
Secondary Education with specialized certification in accounting and/or Finance. University degree in Finance or Accounting desirable.ย ย Part-qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage. Longlisted candidates maybe required to take the UNDP Accounting and Finance Test (AFT).ยExperience:
Minimum 7 years with secondary school education or 4 years with a Bachelorsโ degreeย of relevant experience in finance at the national or international level. Experience in the usage of computers and MS Office packages. Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.ย Experience in handling of web-based management systems and ERP financials.ย Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required for external candidates.ย Fluency in English is required, knowledge of French, Spanish or Arabic is desirable, knowledge of other official UN languages (Mandarin or Russian) is an advantage.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
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.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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