Finance Associate

  • Location:
  • Salary:
    negotiable / YEAR
  • Job type:
    FULL_TIME
  • Posted:
    2 weeks ago
  • Category:
    Budget and Accounting, Finance
  • Deadline:
    02/05/2024

JOB DESCRIPTION

Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
The Finance Associate/Oversight Compliance works under the supervision of the Head of Financing Unit/Finance Officer; independently provides accurate reports and timely support to Finance Officer and/or Head of Humanitarian Financing Unit – Pooled Fund Manager with respect to the development of well-formulated medium-term plan and budget proposals and administration of all facets of approved budget. Supports the process of evaluation of capacities of VHF organizations. Processes work and related follow-up in an efficient and timely manner, ensuring that the requirements for the financial and audit process of the VHF projects complies with the VHF guidelines.
Duties and Responsibilities
  • Assists the Capacity Assessment process of the VHF including the revision of preliminary screening of prospective partners, registration of Sub implementing partners, the Due Diligence and the UNPP process.
  • Assists in the revision of project budgets to determine regular costs and variations in the budget expense areas and related issues during the revision and analyzes of relevant budget proposals of the VHF.
  • Assists on budget revisions, no cost extensions and reprogramming of projects of the VHF.
  • Assists on the revision of Financial Reports of the Venezuela Humanitarian Fund to ensure it complies with the CBPF Guidelines and provide feedback to the implementing partners if necessary.
  • Assists in the preparation/finalization of budget performance reports of the UFH, performing preliminary analysis of variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
  • Assists in the collaboration with UFH personnel and stakeholders with payments and deposits of the VHF.
  • Assists with Financial Spot Check visits to the VHF partners offices according to the CBPF Guidelines and Operational Modalities and reports the results of financial controls and propose recommendation to the VHF partners.
  • Assists with the support of project Audits of implementing partners, facilitating audit visits, reviewing audit reports and provide feedback to the partners of the VHF.
  • Assists to maintain contact with stakeholders providing contractual services for the UHF and provide support and information as required.
  • Assists with the informative sessions related to the CBPF Guidelines to access funding from the VHF and strengthen the capacities of partners with the compliance of CBPF Guidelines.
  • Assists with the preparation of materials and other relevant documents for the HC and the HC Deputy related to process of project budget approvals and disbursements, such as Funds transfers, Agreements, Grant Agreements, among others.
  • Communicate effectively of concerns about project proposals, project documents or implementing partners of the VHF.
  • Assists on the analyzes of cost-benefit and effectiveness of the project proposals of the VHF.
  • Assists on the preparation of financial analyzes for Annual Reports of the VHF and other progress reports or ad-hoc requests.
  • Assists on the monitoring of financial records related to the VHF and integrity of various financial databases.
  • Assists in the verification of accuracy of input data, ensuring consistency of data in previous VHF allocations to new allocations issued.
  • Co-ordinates with other finance and budget staff and/or Head of Financing Unit on related issues during the preparation of budget reports and other administrative support as required.
  • Assists to keep up to date the documents, reports, and guidelines related to the program budget and the VHF in general.
  • Assists to file and archive documents of the VHF partners on the GMS documents tab.
  • Keeps up to date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures.
  • Drafts and prepares correspondence to respond to enquiries in respect to relevant financial and budget matters.
  • Assist and monitors bank account movements for the project disbursements of VHF partners.
  • Performs other related duties, as assigned.
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 discrimination
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 Audit (General) Understands how regulations and professional standards in internal and external audit underpin audit work in the public services.

Understands the key stages of audit work, including planning, documentation, testing and reporting.

Ability to examine and verify accounts and records.

Understands wider mechanisms for assurance and scrutiny.

Understands the law and best practice relating to anti-bribery and corruption controls and the fraud risks faced by public bodies.

Finance Budget management Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets
Finance Due diligence management Ability to conduct a comprehensive appraisal of an organization or opportunity to be undertaken by a prospective investor or partner, especially to establish its assets and liabilities, as well as evaluate the potential opportunity and its related risks, knowledge of respective methodology and tools.
Administration & Operations Documents and records management Overall document (hard or electronic) management; registry and retention policy including storing and archiving
Business Development Integration within the UN Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations
Business Management Resource Management Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
  • Secondary education is required.
  • Bachelor’s degree of relevant experience in business, accounting, economy, budget, finance or related area.
Experience:
  • 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience at the national or international level is required.
  • Relevant experience within the context of humanitarian affairs is desirable.
  • Relevant experience with the UN Common System organization or other comparable international organization or NGOs is desirable.
  • Excellent ability to establish professional relationships.
  • Knowledge in computer systems (Word, Excel, Outlook, Data Base, and Internet) is required.
  • Strong analytical skills as on budget projects and partner proposals is required.
  • Experience in Audit and financial revisions, desirable.
  • Work under pressure in an international and multicultural environment.
  • Fluent in Spanish and working knowledge in English. (desirable)
  • Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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