Finance Associate [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a global organization that is part of the broader United Nations System, dedicated to promoting sustainable development. Established in 1965, UNDP plays a pivotal role in supporting nations in their efforts to eradicate poverty, reduce inequality, and advance socio-economic development. With a focus on inclusive and equitable growth, UNDP provides technical expertise, mobilizes financial resources, and delivers policy and other services to support the formulation and implementation of effective development strategies and solutions that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP operates in over 170 countries and territories, collaborating with local partners, governments, and other stakeholders to build resilient communities and foster sustainable development. UNDP's initiatives span a wide range of areas, including climate change, gender equality, governance, and crisis response, embodying its commitment to creating a better and more sustainable future for people across the globe.

Under the overall guidance of the Operations and Finance Specialist, the Finance Associate supports the highest efficiency in People Programme operations, as well as other programmes and partnerships within the PPP team,  including timely and accurate donor reporting, financial resources management and the provision of accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial information. He/she analyzes operational rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex operational issues. The Finance Associate promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Finance Specialist, the Finance Associate provides support in execution of financial services in the BMS/OHR/PPP Team ensuring effective and transparent financial management

The Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the BMS/OHR New York, BMS/Office of Financial Resources Management (OFRM)/Corporate Financial Reporting and Agency Services Team, BMS/Information and Technology Management Office (ITM), as well as the transactional part of HR and finance services ensuring successful operations, human resources management, financial resource management, and client-orientation of the People Programmes.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensures implementation of the People Programme financial management strategies

• Ensure People Programmes financial activities, financial recording/reporting system, and follow-up on audit recommendations are in full compliance with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) and strategies. 
• Support implementation of effective internal controls and proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system.
• Assist in supporting office management to articulate the framework and conditions of contributions to People Programmes.
• Assist in monitoring People Programme financial resources, reconcile donor accounts and prepare forecasts.
• Support in monitoring of financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions and investigation of anomalies or unusual transactions. Provision of information to management on the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.
• Support in reviewing and approving cost estimates, including update and development of tools for calculation of JPO/SDP/Seconded expert costs and continuous alignment with UNDP finance policies.
• Assist in monitoring and follow up on contributions from donors to the JPO Programme positions. 
• Support in organization of cost-recovery mechanisms for services provided by UNDP to JPO Programmes of UN agencies.
• Assist in controlling and monitoring of co-financing arrangements and processes
• Support in controlling and monitoring of Centrally Management Costs arrangements and processes
• Support end-year reversal of UN Organisations JPO Programme financial transactions from UNDP books.

Ensure implementation of timely and accurate financial reporting on People Programmes

• Support implementation of JPO Programme financial management model and suggest improvements as applicable.
• Assists in preparation of reports containing analysis of the People Programme financial situation.
• Support in monitoring and preparation of People Programmes  financial reports to donors and UN Agencies on a timely and quality basis.

Provide accounting, operational and administrative support to the OHR/PPP unit

• Reviewing and approving of invoices and purchase orders (POs) within the established approval threshold, ensuring the accuracy of data and the completeness of all supporting documentation.
• Ensure proper control of the supporting documents and payment invoices and proper document management including systematic archiving. 
• Support in reviewing periodic oversight of financial reports for projects and management funds/budget balance. 
• Maintain internal expenditures control system which ensures that invoices processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in ERP; and travel claims and other entitlements are duly processed.
• Assist in coordinating and reviewing allocated General Ledger and sub-ledger accounts and support timely project closure.
• Take timely corrective actions on unposted invoices, including invoices with validation errors, match exceptions, and/or unapproved invoices. Provide timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues.
• Support in facilitation of JPO travel requests, including organization of air tickets and monitoring of Duty Travel and Training Balances  
• Support in designing, developing and maintaining Business Intelligence (BI) and Data Analytics tools such as Power BI, while leveraging advanced Excel capabilities to analyse complex data from multiple sources into user friendly reports and summaries to support daily operations as well as strategic decision making.
• Support in designing, refining and developing emerging HR, financial and operational oversight tools such as UN All, Power BI, Dashboards.

Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Organize training for the human resources team on financial management.
• Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in financial management.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Support the team in building capabilities on essential corporate tools for business efficiency such as UN all, Power BI, Gemini.

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

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 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 

Business Management - Customer Satisfaction/Client Management

• Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. 
• Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. 
• Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. 
• Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Business Development - Knowledge Facilitation 

• Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

Business Management - Working with Evidence and Data 

• Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.

Finance - Accounting (General)

• Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, regulations, policies and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.

Finance - Budget Management 

• Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.

Finance - Audit Risk Management

• Ability to address audit issues raised in the course of an audit and propose solutions in order to ensure a true and fair audit opinion is achieved.

Finance - Banking and Cash Management

• Ability to collect, handle, and manage cash, which involves assessing market liquidity, cash flow, and investments.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Secondary Education is required, OR
• A University degree (Bachelor’s degree) in Finance or Accounting will be given due consideration but not a requirement.
• 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 seven (7) years (with high school diploma) or four (4) years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience at the national or international level is required.
• 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 is required.
• Demonstrated proficiency in advanced Microsoft Excel and data analytics tools, including Power BI, with the ability to develop, maintain and enhance complex financial reports, dashboards and data models to support analysis, decision making and business reporting will be an added advantage.
• Proven familiarity, interest and solid knowledge on other corporate tools such as UN all, emerging technologies is desired
• Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required. 

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required
• Knowledge of another UN language would be an asset.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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