Finance Analyst at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life for themselves. It provides expert advice, training and grants support to developing countries, with increasing emphasis on assistance to the least developed countries. It promotes technical and investment cooperation among nations.

Headquartered in New York City, the status of UNDP is that of an executive board within the United Nations General Assembly. The UNDP is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states. The organization operates in 177 countries, where it works with local governments to meet development challenges and develop local capacity.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Finance Analyst

Job ID: 33867
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Practice Area - Job Family: Management - Finance
Grade: NOB
Vacancy Type: FTA Local
Posting Type: External
Bureau: Management
Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension

Background

• The nexus of security-humanitarian-development issues around Lake Chad has given rise to an intractable extremist insurgency that has left tens of thousands of people dead, approximately 2.5 million displaced, and more than 10 million people in the region affected and in need. While robust national and multi-national military operations have re-taken territory previously controlled by Boko Haram, UNDP recognizes that a new approach is required to consolidate these gains and establish the conditions necessary to transition from military to civilian responsibility for security, and from the provision of humanitarian assistance to the resumption of stalled development processes.  In this context, the UNDP is strengthening its presence in the North East region by establishing a sub-office in Maiduguri.  The sub-office will serve as the centre of operations for programming which will include a Regional Stabilization Facility, a Disengagement, Disassociation, Reconciliation and Reintegration (DDRR) and Recovery and Resilience programme.  The Sub-Office (SO) for North East Region of Nigeria has been operational since 2017 and UNDP has established an Operations Service Centre to support management and operations functions related to the effective delivery of programmatic results.  
• Under the guidance of the Head of the Service Centre with close liaison with Head of Stabilization, the Finance Analyst is responsible for effective delivery of financial services, transparent utilization of financial resources and management of the Sub-Office - Finance Unit. He/she analyzes and interprets the financial rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues. The Finance Analyst promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
• The Finance Analyst plays a critical role in managing the finance function in the Sub-Office. The Finance Analyst works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and project teams in the SO/CO and with UNDP HQs staff and Government officials ensuring successful SO/CO performance in Finance.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Implementation of operational and financial management strategies
• Projects’ budget management and organization of the cost-recovery system
• Control of SO accounts for Programmes and Operations of the SO
• Control of SO cash management
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

Ensures implementation of operational and financial management strategies, and adapts processes and procedures, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and audit follow up with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies; implementation of the effective internal control, proper design and functioning of the financial resources management system.
• CO Finance business processes mapping and elaboration/establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance, control of the workflows in the Finance Unit.
• Continuous analysis and monitoring of the financial situation, presentation of forecasts for development and management projects.
• Elaboration of the framework and conditions of contributions within the CO resources mobilization efforts.
• Elaboration and implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies.
• Routinely monitors financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigates anomalies or unusual transactions. Informs supervisors and other UNDP staff at Headquarters of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.

Manages the project budgets and organizes an optimal cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Financial resources management through planning, guiding, controlling of the resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.
• Preparation and monitoring of budgets of management projects.
• Establishment of the development projects’ budgets preparation/modification monitoring system, control of budgetary status versus authorized spending limits (ASL) and budgets delivery levels.
• Elaboration of proper mechanisms to eliminate deficiencies in budget management, deficits, unliquidated advances, etc….
• Preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the services provided by UNDP.

Ensures proper control of accounts for Programmes and Operations of the SO focusing on achievement of the following results:

•  Elaboration of the internal expenditures’ control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas; payrolls are duly prepared; MPOs, travel claims and other entitlements are duly processed, receipting of goods and services and establishment of accruals are properly done in compliance with IPSAS and UNDP policies and procedures.
• Treasury right in Atlas.
• Control of accounts 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.
• Control of the Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects and maintenance of the General Ledger.

Ensures proper SO cash management 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.
• Monitoring of financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions and investigation of anomalies or unusual transactions.
• Provision of information to supervisors and other UNDP staff at HQ on the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.
• Manage and control Petty Cash and Project Cash account
• Timely preparation of monthly cashflow forecast for use by Operations Manager. Liaison with UN Agencies to obtain estimate of their cash requirements.
• Role as cashier and/or cash custodian for cash disbursements made on site.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO and guidance to all stakeholders on financial matters focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Organization/conduct of training for the operations/programme/projects staff on financial management and RBM.
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in Finance.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Impact of Results:

• The key results have an impact on the overall CO/SO efficiency in financial resources management and success in the introduction and implementation of operational strategies.
• Accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial information, timely and appropriate delivery of services ensure client satisfaction and enhance UNDP credibility in the use of financial resources.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• Advanced (Master's) University Degree in Finance / Accounting, Business, or Public Administration, or a professional accounting qualification from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy.
• Professionally qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
• UNDP Advanced Accountancy & Finance Test required.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in providing financial management and accounting advisory services, managing staff and operational systems 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 and ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft.
• Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization, notably with UNDP, is highly desirable.
• Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required for external candidates.  

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English, as well as fluency in spoken Hausa, are required.
• The ability to communicate effectively in Kanuri, Hausa, or other local language spoken in the NE region is an asset.  

Competencies
Functional Competencies:

• Building Partnerships:
  • Maintaining a network of contacts
  • Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues
  • Establishes and nurtures positive communication with partners  
  • Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing
  • Basic research and analysis
  • Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
  • Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches
  • Identifies and communicates opportunities to promote learning and knowledge sharing
  • Develops awareness of the various internal/external learning and knowledge-sharing resources
• Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:
  • Fundamental knowledge of own discipline
  • Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical speciality relating to the position  
  • Ability to formulate and manage budgets; manage contributions and investments; manage transactions; and conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery.
  • Possesses  knowledge of organizational policies and procedures and applies them consistently in work tasks  
  • Identifies new and better approaches to work processes and incorporates the same in his/her work  
  • Analyzes the requirements and synthesizes proposals
  • Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning
  • Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
  • Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments
• Promoting Organizational Change and Development:
  • Basic research and analysis
  • Researches and documents ‘best practices’ in organizational change and development within and outside the UN system  
  • Demonstrates ability to diagnose problems and identifies and communicates processes to support change initiatives  
• Design and Implementation of Management Systems:
  • Research and analysis and making recommendations on management systems
  • Make recommendations relative to work-processing approaches and procedures which would lead to more efficient systems design.
• Client Orientation:
  • Establishing effective client relationships
  • Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion
  • Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
  • Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients
  • Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly
• Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management:
  • Basic monitoring
  • Gathers, analyzes and disseminates information on best practice in accountability and results-based management systems.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment  
• Self-development, initiative-taking  
• Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork  
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively  
• Creating synergies through self-control
• Managing conflict
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
• Informed and transparent decision making.

Application Closing Date
28th December, 2020 (Midnight New York, USA).