BACKGROUND

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

OFFICE/UNIT/PROJECT DESCRIPTION 

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) of the Joint UNDP UN Habitat Promoting Local Development Project in Cabo Verde, the Project Finance and Administrative Officer is responsible for effective delivery of project implementation support services ensuring effective operational management of project, and the transparent utilization of financial resources. The Project Finance and Administrative Officer promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Office of Cabo Verde is the only UN Joint Office set up in the world, bringing together UNDP, UNFPA, and UNICEF under the same administrative arrangement, with a single Representative, and a common team of professionals. Building on the expertise of those agencies, within a pilot Delivering as One UN Programme, the office provides important learning opportunities and the possibility to capitalize on the value added of the three agencies, in the service of the country’s priorities.

Promoting Local Development Project:

This new Joint Programme (JP) builds upon prior achievements to accelerate local development by tackling some of the main issues that persist, including in particular the limited capacity of local authorities to generate own-source revenues, to manage effectively and efficiently existing resources (including natural resources), to effectively engage local populations in local development agenda as well as to allow them to better access basic services, economic infrastructures and assets.

The Joint Programme implementation will be overseen by a Steering Committee and led by a Joint Programme Management Team. On the United Nations side, the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) will lead the steering process while the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) will collaboratively implement the Joint Programme activities.

UNDP has been a key partner in the country supporting local development and decentralization. The recent implementation of the Programa “Plataformas locais” (local Platforms) and the “Fundo de Descentralização” programmes showed the importance of the territorial approach in supporting sustainable development based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country, achieving profound transformations and impacts on territorial capacities and local development. UN-Habitat is the United Nations (UN) agency mandated to promote inclusive, sustainable and resilient cities and communities. In Cabo Verde, it has supported national and local governments in several normative and operational processes, including the establishment of the National Urban and Housing Policies, Local Housing Plans, and participatory upgrading of informal settlements.

The Joint Programme will support local governments, local and community development actors, national entities, especially the newly created Ministry of Territorial Cohesion (MCT), and also entail significant engagement with the National Association of Municipalities (ANMCV) and other city associations in organizing fora related to experience sharing, at national level and with international partners. It will support the production of guidelines, handbooks, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and templates to standardize and sustain all good practices consensually agreed.

SCOPE OF WORK 

Summary of key functions:

• Management of the project, implementing activities by mobilizing goods and services, in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations
• Support to programme operations (finance, asset management, administration, HR) in line with UNDP corporate rule, regulation and policies
• Support partnership activities at project level
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, guidance to all stakeholders on programme management and operational matters, namely implementing partners, municipalities and local associations.

Ensure effective administration of budgets and monitoring of expenditure focusing on  the achievements of the following results: 

• Support the preparation of annual project workplans and related sub-plans (procurement plan, quarterly plans if required, and others as necessary)
• Ensure timely and good-quality implementation of workplan activities
• Support continuous monitoring og progress against the approved work-plan
• Monitoring expenditure to ensure that it is in line with approved budgets, AWPs and UNDP Programmed/Financial policies.

Ensure effective CO programme finance, asset, procurement and HR management and focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system.
• Monitors financial exception reports of developing projects for unusual activities, transactions and investigates anomalies
• Coordinate and Control of Combined Delivery
• Periodic monitoring of dashboards and exceptions, identification of remedial actions.
• Assist UNDP CO in implementing new standards and procedures in consistent to international standard
• Systematically apply best practice in project/programme management and implementation of the project.

Ensures partnerships activities at project level: 

• Be familiar with the activities of other development projects in the sector/area, establish contact and keep up-to date with their work
• Support the creation and maintenance of partnerships with local institutions, private sector, academia, decentralized cooperation in project target areas

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

• Regular exchange of information/experience with other projects, cross-learning and sharing results and good practices
• Participation in regular internal meetings with finance and procurement units in the country office
• Support the organisation of training events, communities of practice, codifying and sharing knowledge
• Facilitation and organisation of training for project staff to enable them to perform at the required level

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

Under the guidance and supervision of the CTA of the Promoting Local Development in Cabo Verde Project, the Project Finance and Administrative Officer provides support to the CTA for financial and administrative services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. The Project Finance and Administrative Officer promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

COMPETENCIES

People Management (Insert below standard sentence if the position has direct reports.)

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.