Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Ethiopia
Finance Associate(2 Vacancies)




Job Background



 



Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Country Director (Operations) and direct supervision of the Finance Specialist, the Finance Associate ensures effective execution of financial services and processes in CO and transparent utilization of financial resources. The Finance Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
     
The Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the other staff in the Finance Unit and operations, programme and projects’ staff in the CO and 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 and cost-recovery system;
Accounting and administrative support and Global Payroll;
CO cash management;
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.


Full compliance with UN/UNDP rules and regulations of financial processes, financial records and reports and audit follow up; implementation of the effective internal control framework;
CO 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;
Preparation of cost sharing and trust fund agreements, follow up on contributions within the CO resource mobilization efforts.


Preparation and modifications of budgets for UNDP management projects, follow-up with HQs on ASL for management projects;
Presentation of researched information for planning and status of financial resources of the CO;
Sending project budget to KK if authorized by the Senior Management (can be done only on the basis of signed prodocs and project budgets);
Timely preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the services provided by UNDP, implementation of the income tracking system and follow up on cost recovery.


Proper control of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports for NEX projects;
Pay Cycle Execution;
Approval of vendors in Atlas (if a senior member of the Finance team);
Support to national execution and implementation (budgeting, audit, training);
Effective payments on behalf of other UN agencies (as assigned by the supervisor);
Maintenance of financial records for UNDP, other UN agencies and government/national counterparts for which responsibility is assigned;
Execute Paycycle;
Maintenance of Open Items;
Preparation of all AP/JV and GL/JE to be raised for any type of correction/transaction;
Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas; payrolls are duly prepared and processed; travel claims, and other entitlements are duly processed;
Timely accounts closure;
Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers. Timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues;
Maintenance of the Accounts Receivables for UNDP programme projects and follow-up with partners on contributions, deposits creation in Atlas and their processing of application to AR pending items;
Global Payrolls processing in Atlas, including local payrolls of Service Contracts (SCs) and Special Service Agreements (SSAs);
Monthly monitoring Exception Report;
Monthly monitoring of Reports to agencies
Advices are provided to international staff, experts and consultants on allowances, salary advances and other financial related matters.


Timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements; 
Timely identification and recording of receipts for income application; 
Daily review of zero-balance account bank statements in Atlas to monitor imprest level; identification and recording of contributions; transaction and stop payment initiation on internet banking systems;
Preparation of monthly UN exchange rate report to Treasury;
Timely and accurate preparation of bank reconciliations;
Alternate to Finance Associate (Treasury) for timely preparation of monthly cashflow forecast for use by Operations Manager/ Finance Analyst. Liaison with UN Agencies to obtain estimate of their cash requirement;
Initiation of bank transfers and deals in Atlas.


Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on Finance;
Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in Finance;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.


Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.


Shares knowledge and experience;
Encourages office staff to share knowledge and contribute to UNDP Practice Areas;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.


Ability to perform a variety of specialized activities related to financial resources management, including formulating budgets, maintaining Accounts Receivables and Accounts Payables, making transactions, reporting;
Sound knowledge of financial rules and regulations, accounting;
Strong IT skills;
Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system.


Focuses on result for the client;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change;
Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view.


Secondary Education with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance. University Degree in Business or Public Administration would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.


6 years of progressively responsible finance experience (three years with Bachelor's Degree) 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.


Fluency in English and language of the duty station.

Important applicant information
All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.
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 description, experience and educational requirements.
Workforce diversity
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
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Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension