FINANCE ASSOCIATE UNCDF-Vacancy,New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Post:FINANCE ASSOCIATE UNCDF (READVERTISED)
Location :     New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Additional Category    Management
Type of Contract :    FTA Local
Post Level :    GS-7
Languages Required :    English 

Starting Date :(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)    01-Jul-2013
Duration of Initial Contract :    One year (renewable)
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All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.
Application Deadline :    04-Jun-13
Internally advertised General Service (GS) fixed-term appointment (FTA) positions located in Headquarters are open to GS staff members currently serving in New York/Washington D.C. who hold a UNDP permanent or FTA who are either US Permanent Residents, US citizens or holders of a valid G4 visa at the time of their application and whose G4 visa has been acquired on account of their employment in the UN Systems based in New York or Washington, DC.

Externally advertised GS fixed-term appointment and temporary appointment (TA) positions located in New York/Washington D.C. are open to candidates who are either US Permanent Residents, US Citizens or holders of a valid G4 visa at the time of their application and whose G4 visa has been acquired on account of their employment in the UN Systems based in New York or Washington, DC.

Current UNDP GS staff serving outside of HQ must meet the eligibility criteria stated above prior to their application.

Selected candidates who meet the above mentioned eligibility criteria are responsible for their own travel and/or relocation costs.

Selection to GS fixed-term appointment positions at Headquarters requires passing a UN administered clerical test (ASAT).

Applicants under serious consideration for short-listing of posts requiring accountancy and finance skills, must take the UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (UNDP AFT) prior to short-listing.
Background

Applicants who have already applied in the previous round, do not need to re-apply.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Finance Specialist, the Finance Associate ensures effective execution of financial services and processes in UNCDF and transparent utilization of financial resources. The Finance Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
    
The Finance Associate can supervise support staff of the Finance Unit, Operation and Programme Assistants in HQ, Regional and Country Offices who are dealing with finance activities. Moreover, the Finance Associate works in close collaboration with all staff of UNCDF Headquarters, Regional and Country offices, as well as with UNDP HQs staff for resolving finance related issues and information exchange.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

    Implementation of operational strategies
    Administration of budgets, cash Management, loan , Contributions  and cost-recovery system
    Control of UNCDF accounts,
    Asset Focal Person
    Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

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

•     Full compliance with UN/UNDP/UNCDF rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, 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;
•     UNCDF Finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management.
•     Continuous analysis and monitoring of the financial situation, presentation of forecasts for development and management projects.
•     Recommend and/or implement cost management strategies including cost recovery strategies and cost effective financial arrangements.

Ensures administration of Budgets , Cash Management, Loan, Contributions  and functioning of the optimal Cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results:

•     Financial resources management through planning, guiding, controlling of the resources in accordance with UNCDF rules and regulations.
•     Preparation and revision of budgets for UNCDF management projects.
•     Timely review of cash situation of UNCDF accounts to ensure sufficient funds on bank for disbursements.
•     Maintenance of the Accounts Receivables (AR) for UNCDF projects and follow-up with partners on contributions, creation of pending items in ATLAS and application of contributions received in ATLAS upon identification of the purpose
•     Record and Monitor loan repayments on timely bases, and report on the status of loans and guarantees.
•     Creation and maintenance of researched information for updating management on status of financial resources for UNCDF.
•     Timely preparation of cost-recovery bills in ATLAS for the services provided by UNCDF, implementation of the income tracking system and follow up on cost recovery.

Ensures proper control of UNCDF accounts, focusing on achievement of the   following    results:

•     Verification of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports for UNCDF projects; preparation in the Accounts Payable module (AP) of all types of payment vouchers for management and development projects.
•     Preparation of journal vouchers to record transactions.
•     Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.
•     Review, analyze and record all financial transactions reported on behalf of UNCDF by other agencies and regional offices.
•     Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in ATLAS; travel claims and other entitlement are duly processed.
•     Support to the year-end closure exercise to ensure time financial reporting of current year’s outputs/activities and time commencement of following year’s outputs/activities.
•     Support CO and Regional Offices on AP and AR modules in ATLAS, internal control and provide guidance on financial rules and regulations.
•     Compilation of all materials needed for the preparation of the statements for the Financial Statements..
•     Approval of vendors in Atlas (as a senior member of the Finance team)
•     Finalization of key products in the absence of the Finance Analyst or Finance Specialist.
•     Testing of AP and AR ATLAS updates.
•     Participation in the full compliance and implementation of IPSAS.
•     Prepare monthly Accounts Analysis for all Balance Sheet Accounts.
•     Filing of All finance related documents. 

Asset Focal Person for all UNCDF Assets in HQ, Regional and Country offices. By ensuring that;

•     Assets serial IDs, Tags, Custodian and locations are correctly recorded.
•     Transfers/Adjustment/impairment /re-categorization and disposal requests of assets are initiated..
•     Disposal submissions are prepared using the Request for Asset Transfer or Disposal form and initiate the approval action.
•     A log of equipment on loan to staff members is maintained and equipment is returned by staff when they are reassigned or separated from service.
•     Clarification is provided for any discrepancies detected during the count of custodian items, between previous and current years.
•     The movement of assets is counted.
•     Regularly review the Asset Module to ensure that all assets are properly interfaced and recorded and initiate corrective action if any
•     Reconciliation of General Ledger and Asset Module for UNCDF Assets.
• Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing at HQ and in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:
•     Organization of ATLAS trainings for the operations/projects staff on Finance to HQ, Regional and Country Office staffs.
•     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 execution of the UNCDF financial services and success in implementation of operational strategies.  Accurate analysis and presentation of financial information ensures proper financial processes in UNCDF.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:   

• Building Partnerships: Maintaining information and databases
•     Analyzes general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives
•     Tracks and reports on mobilized resources
• Promoting Organizational Learning And Knowledge Sharing: Basic research and analysis
•     Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things
•     Identifies and communicates opportunities to promote learning and knowledge sharing
• Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise: Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures
•     Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position
•     Possesses knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks (broad range of specialized knowledge related to financial resources management, including formulating budgets, maintaining Accounts Receivables and Accounts Payables, reporting).
•     Identifies new and better approaches to work processes and incorporates same in own work
•     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
• Promoting Organizational Change and Development: Presentation of information on best practices in organizational change
•     Documents ‘best practices’ in organizational change and development within and outside the UN system
•     Demonstrates ability to identify problems and proposes solutions
• Design and Implementation of Management System: Data gathering and implementation of management systems
•     Uses information/databases/other management systems
•     Makes recommendations related to work procedures and implementation of management systems
• Client Orientation:  Maintains effective client relationships
•     Reports to internal and external clients in a timely 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
•     Responds to client needs promptly
• Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management:  Gathering and disseminating information
•     Gathers and disseminates information on best practice in accountability and results-based management systems
•     Maintains databases

Core Competencies:

•     Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
•     Self-development, initiative-taking
•     Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
•     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

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
    Secondary Education, with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance. University Degree in Finance, Business or Public Administration desirable, but it is not a requirement. Part-qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
    UNDP Accountancy & Finance Test required

Experience:

•     7 years of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience is required.
•     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.
•     Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS required.

Language Requirements:
    Fluency in English
    Knowledge of another UN language (preferably French) an asset.

The applicants are strongly encouraged to upload (as a *pdf attachment) the completed and signed UNDP Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.docx. Completion of all the fields is required.

FC:02650

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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.
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