Admin and Finance Associate

Background

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization, fighting to end the injustices of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.
The Agenda 2030, based on a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is underpinned by a strong commitment to leave no one behind and to reach the furthest behind first. It recognizes the multi-dimensional nature of poverty and inequality and provides a framework that comprehensively addresses all dimensions of well-being. Pakistan was one of the first countries in the world to endorse the SDGs at the Sustainable Development Summit held on 25 September 2015. In 2016, Pakistan Parliament unanimously approved the SDGs as the national development agenda. Since then, Pakistan has demonstrated an impressive policy, institutional, and financial commitment to achieving SDGs, embracing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and leaving no one behind by adopting the UNDP-supported Goals frameworks as part of its national development planning. Since adopting the SDGs as the National Development Agenda, the Sindh Government has taken the lead in establishing the SDGs Support Unit at the Planning & Development Board in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme.
As a second-generation intervention of the long-standing National Initiative for SDGs (2016-2023), the Sindh SDGs Plus Project, as a joint initiative of UNDP Pakistan and the Government of Sindh, is launched to strengthen a policy integration approach, evidence-based decision-making, resilient institutional capacities, diversified partnerships, mobilization of innovative financing, and integrating climate resilience, innovation, social protection, and inclusion. The project is anchored by an integrated framework comprising three key areas based on the provincial priorities, including:

• Objective 1:Internalizing SDGs: Improved governance for SDGs aligned equitable and inclusive development planning, budgeting, expenditure tracking, monitoring, and reporting, with a special focus on underdeveloped/marginalized districts to achieve regional equalization.
• Objective 2:Financing for Development and Climate Resilience: Public and private financing for development, identifying and channeling resources to reduce the development financing gap, focusing on SDG investments and climate financing.
• Objective 3: Inclusive Development, Social Protection, and Innovation: Gender equality, inclusion, innovation, and digital transformation mainstreamed in SDGs to achieve Leave No One Behind.
  

Duties and Responsibilities

1.Financial Management, Planning, and Budgeting

• Support in the overall financial and administrative management of the Project.
• Maintain a complete set of books of account according to the accounting principle and update it daily. Ensure the accuracy of supporting documents.
• Follow up on the activities and monitor advance balances of resources disbursed, verify availability of funds for project activities, and recommend changes in budget line if needed.
• Prepare vouchers, and process payments for all financial transactions.
• Provide support to prepare annual and quarterly work plans and budgets in consultation with the Project Manager.
• Verify Combine Delivery Report (CDR) for Certification.
• Support in preparing for annual audit exercise, prepare audit follow-up action plans, and ensure that the action plan is implemented.
• Prepare monthly shadow budget for tracking the delivery of the Project.

2. Ensure High-Quality Support in Operations, Contract Management, and Audit

• Maintain the contracts with implementing partners, including governmental, non-governmental, and community-based organizations, as well as with service providers for the Project (individuals and companies).
• Ensure compliance of all provisions of guidelines regarding personnel management, procurement, sub-contract, and financial management.
• Prepare annual human resources and procurement plans and implement them.
• Draw up specifications for the equipment required for procurement in close work with the Project team as per guidelines; maintain and update an inventory and ensure proper operation, and maintenance.
• Keep records on non-expendable equipment, conduct physical verification at least once a year, and prepare annual physical verification reports.
• Carry out any other related responsibility assigned by the Project Manager and support other activities as required by the Project management.
• Supervise support staff of the project.
  

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Admin and Finance Associate works under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and guidance from the Development Policy Unit UNDP and collaborates closely with the Sindh Planning and Development Board.

CORE 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

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL & TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Thematic Area Name Definition

• Finance (Management and cost accounting) - Ability to produce periodic qualitative and quantitative performance reports to facilitate effective decision-making and performance monitoring. Ability to use a range of costing techniques and analyze cost-related data to provide quantitative information to the users of reports.
  
• Finance (Financial planning and budgeting) -Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analyzing, and reporting
  
• Procurement (Contract management)- Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles, and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
  
• Procurement (Financial analysis)-Knowledge of evaluating businesses, projects, budgets, and other finance-related transactions to determine their performance and suitability
• Procurement (Sourcing)-Ability to find, evaluate, and engage suppliers of goods and services
  
• Business Management (Operations Management)- Ability to efficiently plan, organize, and oversee the organization's business processes to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• Secondary Education with specialized certification in accounting and/or Finance. University degree in Finance or Accounting desirable. Part-qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage. (The degree must state that the major is in accounting or finance. Degrees in Business Administration or Public Administration are not considered equivalent.)"
• 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.
• Candidate 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.

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with bachelor's degree) of demonstrated related experience in UN or similar development projects or international organizations.

Required Skills

• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

Desired Skills

• Excellent financial accounting, including auditing and reporting skills, as well as exposure to administration of projects.
• Demonstrated experience in financial planning, budgeting, managing procurement contracts, and inventory.
• Experience of working with UN System or international organizations.
• Organizational knowledge and experience including strategic planning, decision-making, self-management, emotional intelligence, conflict management, and negotiating skills are an asset.
• Experience of working with donors/ international development partners and government operational processes and procedures, is desirable.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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