Finance Associate – UNDP

Job Description

Job Identification	16969
Locations	SUDAN
Posting Date	03/13/2024, 02:52 PM
Apply Before	03/27/2024, 02:52 PM
Grade	NPSA-7
Vacancy Type	National Personnel Service Agreement
Practice Area	Health
Bureau	Regional Bureau for Arab States
Education & Work Experience	Bachelor’s Degree – 4 year(s) experience OR High School certificate- 7 year(s) experience
Required Languages	Fluency in Arabic and English is Required
Vacancy Timeline	2 Weeks

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 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their solutions to global and national development challenges to help empower lives and build resilient nations. 

UNDP has an important role in supporting health outcomes by supporting countries to address the social, cultural, and economic determinants of HIV and health, in partnership with UN entities and other organizations. This is done through UNDP’s core work in reducing inequalities and social exclusion that drive HIV and poor health, promoting effective and inclusive governance for health, and building resilient and sustainable systems for health. UNDP also contributes through its coordinating and convening role in bringing together multiple partners and resources at national and local levels.

As a trusted, long-term partner of The Global Fund (GF), UNDP’s value proposition lies in providing an integrated package of development solutions to strengthen institutions to deliver health services. Through its contributions as interim Principal Recipient (PR) and provider of technical assistance in over 53 countries since 2003, UNDP’s provision of integrated policy, implementation, and capacity development support to countries has yielded significant health and development results in challenging operating environments. Proactive risk management and investing in sustainability are the cornerstones of UNDP’s portfolio management approach and providing technical assistance to national counterparts during all phases of implementation, strengthening legislation, policies, and regulatory frameworks, and building capacities across key functional areas, including financial management, health information systems, procurement, and supply chain management. 

In Sudan, UNDP is the interim Principal Recipient (PR) for the HIV, TB, and C19RM  grants and is also implementing Cost Sharing Agreement (CSA) to support the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) in the implementation of specific activities under Malaria grants. 

The UNDP-GF partnership under the 2024-2026 allocation aims to contribute towards the achievement of the vision, goals, and strategic responses, including targets of the Sudan National HIV and TB Strategic Plans.  For effective implementation of the Global Fund resources, UNDP Sudan has established a Program Management Unit (PMU), which under the overall guidance of the UNDP senior management is responsible for the day-to-day overall program management, risk management, policy guidance, financial accountability, procurement of goods, including health products and services, strengthening of the national pharmaceutical and laboratory supply chain systems, and monitoring and evaluation systems. The GF grant is implemented following UNDP rules, policies, and procedures, the grant confirmation, corporate agreements with the GF and in close coordination with the Federal Ministry of Health, Sub-Receipients, national stakeholders, technical partners, and UN entities, the Global Fund (Local Fund Agent, (LFA) the Global Fund Country Team and Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM).  

Institutional Arrangement

Working under the guidance of the Finance and Admin Specialist, the  Finance Associate promotes a collaborative, client-focused, quality, and results-oriented approach across grant sub-recipients and stakeholders. He/She provides hands-on technical support to the preparation of accelerations plan and capacity transfer in the actual implementation of SR work plans, and budgets to ensure proper accountability for results, timely reporting, and efficient use of the Global Fund resources. 

In delivering these important functions, the   Finance Associate works in close partnerships with the Programme and M&E team, PSM Team, and finance and admin staff at SRs and within the UNDP-PMU.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Finance and Admin section, and the overall guidance of the Programme Manager for the PMU, the  Finance Associate will be responsible for the following functions:

Timely Budget Monitoring, Reporting, and Assurance Review Support:

• Act as the Focal Person for Sub-Recipients (SR) and other NGOs, for close monitoring of approved budgets, coordinating timely requests submissions, payment processing, staff contracting, amendments to work plan, and budgetary control within the signed SR Agreements, Grant Agreement and UNDP policies and procedures, exercising appropriate due diligence in the process;
• Create payment vouchers and coordinate with UNDP Country Office (CO) and other relevant UNDP internal compliance and process units, for payments and other system entry approvals;
• Ensure proper tracking and control of budget movements, disbursements, expenditures, and reporting, in coordination with the Program, M&E, and PSM functional units;
• Support financial analysis for the GF Projects to help with informed decisions on the utilization of financial resources as well as grant closure processes;
• Support the coordination and revision of the work plan and budget for all GF projects;
• Support audit processes by the Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI), Global Fund OIG, and Sub-Recipient audits conducted by external audit firms 
• Support the budget variance analysis, progress update, and disbursement requests, as key requirements for periodic reporting by the PMU;
• Support initiatives to identify and reprogram grant savings in line with the UNDP rules and regulations and corporate agreements with the Global Fund; 
• Ensure transactions are backed by appropriate supporting documents, and when necessary, there should be a Note to File explaining the circumstances for an exception, which should be duly approved by Authorized Persons.

Ensure implementation of operational strategies and procedures:

• Support implementation of the effective internal control, proper design, and functioning of the financial resources management system and approaches;
• Support assets management and verification in line with the UNDP policies and SOPs;
• Follow up with national partners, CCM, and Sub-Recipients on the status of financial deliveries including liquidation, training, and other finance matters;
• Provide effective and accurate delivery of financial services, transparent utilization of financial resources, and management of finance processes;
• Ensure full compliance with UNDP administrative and financial rules, regulations, and policies.

Knowledge facilitation and capacity building in financial management and reporting:

• Facilitate documenting evidence to support high-quality financial management, analysis, and oversight for all resources managed by the PMU
• Support the data-gathering processes to enable the provision of technical and advisory support to the PMU in the area of financial and assets management 
• Support training and knowledge building for internal and external partners and responsible agents on UNDP procedures.

Support risk management and assessment processes, for risk-informed financial operations

• Ensure compliance with UNDP POPP, Manuals, and Guidelines related to grants.
• Support the periodic and targeted quality assurance and transaction-level analyses, including sampling and reviews at the project level;
• Ensure compliance of the SRs with recommendations outlined in the HACT Assessment Report;
• Conduct periodic monitoring of SRs in line with the recommendation outlined in the HACT Assessment Report;
• Support implementers to properly fill in FACE FORM in line with UNDP requirements and verify the accuracy of reports, facilitate spot checks and other monitoring activities, and ensure timely processing in UNDP systems;
• Any other relevant tasks assigned by the PMU Manager
   

Competencies

Core
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 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Business management	Results-based management	Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
Risk Management	Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
Monitoring	Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and financial performance and results
Resource Managemet	Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity
Operations Management	Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the Organization’s·business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms
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 channels
External relations & advocacy	Agile’ methodologies and practices	Ability to manage projects and processes through continuous iteration, learning and improvement. Ability to manage a self-organising cross-functional teams, foster a team culture of curiosity and learning. Being nimble and being able to improvise and quickly adjust to unforeseen events or changes in conditions or context.

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements	Fully Qualified Accountant, from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy or Full Completion of the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP). No UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) is required. Candidates with no professional accountancy qualifications, but with degrees that major in accountancy and/or finance must complete UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited. However, no UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) is required. Candidatreve with no professional accountancy qualifications but with relevant experience must successfully undertake UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) before shortlisting and must complete the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited.
Min. years of relevant work experience	7 years (with high school diploma) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience at the national or international level is required. Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required.
Required  skills	Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheets and web-based management systems such as ERP financials and database packages. Solid experience in the use of ERP system and advanced skills in excel spreadsheet Experience with IPSAS and/or IFRS;
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section	Demonstrated experience in providing risk mitigation, compliance and financial management advisory services Proven organizational, communications and interpersonal skills/experience Strong analytical and writing skills and a track record of producing high-quality finance reports and other materials Strong knowledge of Global Fund’s strategies, policies and reporting procedures wil be an asset Experience with UNDP and/or UNagencies, international organisatons, such as NGOs, bilateral cooperation, etc. is desirable; Demonstrated experience in developing capacity and strengthening financial systems of national health entities in developing countries; Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills and experience in working in a multi-cultural environment.  Demonstrated experience in working with donor funded projects
Required Language(s)	Fluency in English is required Working knowledge of the local language (Arabic etc), both written and oral is required

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card holders)

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 before 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 descriptions, 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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