Background
<Job Purpose and Organizational Context>
UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels offers a spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in its Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in UNDP’s Strategic Plan.
Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS staff provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocates for UNDP corporate messages; represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora, including public-private, government and civil society dialogues; and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.
BPPS’s Hubs on Nature, Climate, Energy and Waste, with the support of the Vertical Fund Programme Support, Oversight and Compliance Unit, works with governments, civil society, and private sector partners to integrate nature, climate, energy and waste related concerns into national and sector planning and inclusive growth policies, support country obligations under Multilateral Environmental Agreements, and oversee the implementation of the UN’s largest portfolio of in-country programming nature, climate change, energy and waste. This multi-billion-dollar portfolio encompasses:
• Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services including forests.
• Sustainable Land Management and Desertification including food and commodity systems.
• Water and Ocean Governance including SIDS.
• Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.
• Sustainable Energy;
• Extractive Industries.
• Chemicals and Waste Management;
• Environmental Governance and Green/Circular Economy and SCP approaches.
This work advances crosscutting themes on innovative finance, digital transformation, capacity development, human rights, gender equality, health, technology, and South-South learning.
In addition to UNDP’s bilateral partnerships in Nature, Climate, Energy and Waste, UNDP is an accredited multilateral implementing agency of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Multilateral Fund (MLF), the Adaptation Fund (AF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). As part of UNDP’s partnership with these vertical funds (VFs), UNDP’s Vertical Fund Programme Support, Oversight and Compliance Unit supports UNDP’s Nature, Climate, Energy and Waste related Hubs and provides countries specialized integrated technical services for eligibility assessment, programme formulation, capacity development, policy advice, technical assistance, training and technology transfer, mobilization of co-financing, implementation oversight, results management and evaluation, performance-based payments and knowledge management services.
The VF Management and Programme Support Unit (MPSU) under the VF Hub provides financial oversight to a large VF portfolio across over 130 countries, including GEF/GCF/AF and non-VF global projects. The Vertical Fund Programme Support, Oversight, and Compliance Unit is looking to engage a Management and Programme Support Analyst (MPSA) to ensure programme finance management of global projects, ensuring adequate oversight on closure and monitoring project budget and expenditures implement audit recommendations. Along with UNDP’s new ERP system (Quantum), and the new BPPS Environment Hubs structure, Management and programme Support Analyst is responsible for effective delivery of programme/finance services for VF global projects and other development projects.
3. Scope of Work
The MPSU Management and Programme Support Analyst will work under the supervision of the Management and Programme Support Specialist within the Management and Programme Support Unit (MPSU) in the VF Programme Support Oversight and Compliance Unit and will provide management and programme support, operations, and budgeting advice on all aspects of the operation of the global funds/projects to ensure smooth functioning of the MPSU team.
Duties and Responsibilities
Ensure effective and efficient programme finance management/monitoring of global programme/projects;
• Development and follow-up of Programme Portfolio Pipeline, ensure accurate entry of data related to newly approved grants into systems such as Quantum, UNITY, and other related platforms, including the Annual Work Plans (AWPs) and monitoring their status.
• Review Regional Technical Advisor-cleared Multi-Year Annual Work Plans (AWPs) in comparison with Quantum Commitment control (KK) budgets. Verify the cumulative expenditure status and project budget balance. Ensure budget revisions in Project Management Information System (PIMS) and Quantum align with the signed project documents and work plans. Work closely with technical/project staff to ensure full compliance with UNDP regulations, rules, and policies.
• Review and verify cumulative expenditure status and project budget balance. Prepare Budget Journals for ASL allocations, transfer income to cash-controlled projects, and submit for approval in collaboration with the project team. Ensure effective internal controls by monitoring budget preparations, revisions, and the status of budgets versus ASL allocations.
• Advise on financial reporting and prepare information/reports on the financial status of the program. Identify operational and financial issues and propose solutions.
• Verify and reconcile Combined Delivery Reports (CDRs) in a timely manner. Follow up with Implementing Partners (Executing Agencies) on any issues as necessary.
• Periodically monitor exceptions, identify corrective actions, and coordinate with MPSU colleagues for resolution. Oversee the year-end closure process for all VFs, ensuring the timely and accurate production of operational/financial reports before year-end closure.
• Monitor accounts receivables for cost-sharing and sub-trust fund resources related to global projects. Process all newly signed CSAs and/or amendments for global projects.
• Support the annual GEF audit on financial statements and ensure the implementation of audit recommendations.
Ensure administration and Implementation of operational strategies, adapts processes, and procedures;
• Implementation of cost sharing and other contribution agreements to ensure contribution income is received accurately and timely.
• Monitor the financial dashboard on key milestones such as GEF Chief Executive OfficerDonor approvals, cash/ASL allocations, budget revisions, first disbursements, Mid-Term Reviews (MTRs), project closures, and cancellations.
• Follow-ups and coordination with the technical team and hubs to provide timely delivery projections and actual delivery updates to BPPS, VF hubs
• Review donor agreements and project documents to ensure proper submissions and approvals.
• Compliance with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, and policies in 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.
• Support the unit in finance business processes mapping including internal operating procedures on global projects, other GEF funded development projects and cost sharing development projects managed by UNDP/GEF.
Provision of oversight for the VF portfolio and effective monitoring of the project portfolio across hubs;
• Management of the income, revenue, and receivables for all cost-sharing projects.
• Timely release quarterly advances to different Responsible Parties (RPs), ensuring that the authorized signatory list is shared for verification and release of the advances.
• Ensure disbursement schedules are updated in a timely manner by working closely with the project team and respective hub colleagues.
• Coordinate and follow-ups with Project Managers/Project Associates and liaise with GSSC Revenue and Treasury to ensure timely action on the out-standing receivables milestone
• Clear all past due milestones in PIMS at year-end, ensure deposits are received and updated in PIMS, and notify the project team once deposits are applied to the respective projects.
• Review the final balance of cost-sharing projects at the closure stage, review the final donor report, and initiate the refund process
• Work with GSSC and technical colleagues for the final adjustments before returning of funds back to donor and confirm the balance return to the project/hub staff.
Facilitate Knowledge management, learning, and tools development;
• Identify needs, and work with SOP team to develop a resource kit on budget revision of global projects and budget management;
• Provide orientation and training to Environmental hub colleagues on the FACE form, NIM liquidation, quarterly advance releases;
• Contribute to the analysis, documentation, codification of results/lessons learned from reporting.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
4. Institutional Arrangements
• The incumbent will work from VF Hub offices based in New York, USA
• The incumbent will report to the Chief of the Management and Programme Support Unit (MPSU) based in NY, USA and/or his/her designate. S/he will work closely with other staff in the VF Unit and Environmental Hubs as appropriate.
• The incumbent will be given access to relevant information necessary for the execution of the tasks under this assignment.
• The incumbent will be provided with a workstation including laptop, internet, etc. When working remotely, the incumbent is responsible for providing her/his own workstation (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.)
• Given the global consultations to be undertaken during this assignment, the incumbent is expected to be reasonably be flexible with his/her availability for such consultations taking into consideration different time zones.
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 improvements 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 flexible Act with Determination: 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 discriminationCross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business management Communication Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channelsBusiness management Operations Management Ability to efficiently plan, organize, and oversee the Organization business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms Business management Risk Management Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks Finance Financial and process innovation Financial and business process engineering expertise required to innovate, design, change and implement new financial business models, financial instruments, financing opportunities, business processes, policies and procedures, and technological solutions Finance Budget Management Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budget 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 2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness Effectiveness Project Quality Assurance
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent ) in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Applied Statistics, Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences (QMSS), or another closely related field is required. OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
Experience:
• Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in business process reviews, reporting, budget management, resource management is required.
Required skills/knowledge
• Extensive experience working with an ERP system
• Proven experience in overseeing and/or managing project/programme financing/budgeting at project or portfolio level.
• Proven experience in designing reports using ERP systems and/or in writing reporting specifications
Desired Skills
• Proven track record of sound understanding of UNDP policies and procedures and requirements of funds such as GEF/GCF and financial reporting to large donor funds are strongly desired.
• Advanced user in Excel and PowerBI is highly desirable.
• Completion of recognized certification program on project management, financial management, management accounting, and/or Data management is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in, and knowledge of, Quantum ERP is strongly desired
• Experience in implementing effective internal controls is desired.
• Experience in implementation of audit recommendations is an advantage.
Required Language
Fluency in English 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.
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.
Right to select multiple candidates
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.
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