Programme Finance Officer

Job ID/Title: Programme Finance Officer (PMSU)
Application Deadline: 13-Oct-11
Duty Station: Jerusalem
Duration of Initial Contract: One year renewable

Background:
Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Head of Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU), the Programme Finance Officer is responsible for effective delivery of programme finance services ensuring effective and transparent utilization of financial resources and integrity of financial services in the Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People. The Programme Finance Officer promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
The Programme Finance Officer is part of the Programme Management Support Unit and works in close collaboration with all its team members Programme and Operations teams in the CO and UNDP HQ for resolving complex programme and operations-related issues, ensuring successful CO performance in Finance.
Description of Responsibilities:

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

-Full compliance with UN/UNDP 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.
-CO Finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with the Head of PMSU.
-Implementation of cost sharing and trust fund agreements
-Elaboration of proposals and implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies in consultations with Head the of PMSU
-Continuous analysis and monitoring of the financial situation, presentation of forecasts for development projects
-Routinely monitors financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigates anomalies.

2-Ensures effective CO programme finance management, ensures the optimal cost recovery focusing on the achievement of the following results:

-Support the management with annual resource planning exercise and resource management in ATLAS (both Regular ASL and Other Resources)
-Oversee Atlas matching, budgetary status versus ASL and maintenance of the General Ledger.
-Coordinate with the HQ to establish ASLs for projects
-Ensure the ASL and Cash Limits reflect the funds and expenditure authorization received
-Check fund availability when budget check error occurs
-Ensure that data from the projects and other UN agencies regarding use of funds is properly recorded
-Monitor and manage quarterly cash advance to the nationally implemented projects
-Clean, adjust and reverse all outstanding and overdue NIM advances, as well as cost-sharing deficits
-Ensure project budgets correctly reflect the ending balance of non-core resources and new contribution received
-Control of Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects and update donor contribution when received.
-Refund to a donor or transfer to another project (if agreed by the donor) when there is any surplus balance before closing a project
-Reconcile direct payments
-Assist the project’s financial closure within 1 year after operationally closed
-Assist the CO management in cost recovery (GMS & ISS) planning and strategy
-Calculate the Extra Budgetary income for the CO and charge to projects accordingly
-Manage cost recovery for General Management Services (GMS) including correct set-up of recovery method in ATLAS and distribution over various departments.
-Provision of information/reports on the financial situation of the programme; prepare regular reports on status of core and non-core Income and Expenditure for the Head of PMSU.
-Identification of operational and financial problems, proposal of solutions.
-Accuracy verification of Combined Delivery Reports..
-Regular monitoring of the CO delivery
-Provision of advice on financial reporting
-Preparation of financial reports including donor reports (as requested by the Head of PMSU)
-Verification and reconciliation of various expenditures reports from the CO, HQ and Executing Agencies.
-Timely preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the services provided, implementation of the income tracking system and follow up on cost recovery.
-Provision of researched information for the audit of NEX projects; participation in project audits and control and verification of audit recommendations.
-Monitoring of cost-sharing contributions, preparation of AR pending items, application of deposits against prepared pending items.
-Implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system. Identification of operational and financial problems, proposal of solutions.
-Analysis of requirements and synthesis of proposals on proper mechanisms to eliminate deficiencies in budget management
-Periodic monitoring of dashboards and exceptions, identification of the remedial actions.
-Monitoring of cost-recovery bills preparation in Atlas for the services provided, implementation of the income tracking system and follow up on cost recovery.

3-Ensures implementation of the resources mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:
 
-Application of contributions as per the CO resources mobilization strategy.
-Monitoring of cost-sharing contributions
-Advice to Programme and Project Staff on different donor reporting requirements; monitoring of financial reports to be submitted to donors.   

4-Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, guidance to all stakeholders on financial matters focusing on the achievement of the following results:
 
-Advice to Project staff on UNDP administrative, DEX/NEX and donor reporting, in particular, on budgetary issues.
-Organization/conduct of training for the Operations/Programme/Project Staff on financial management and IPSAS.
-Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in programme finance.
-Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
-Provide training and assistance to UNDP staff on ATLAS and financial issues in projects whenever needed

Impact of Results
 
The key results have an impact on the overall CO efficiency in programme, smooth running of finances and success in implementation of programme strategies and smooth running. Accurate analysis and coordination of programme finance activities enhance UNDP position as a strong development partner.

Competencies :

Corporate Competencies:
-Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
-Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
-Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning
-Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
-Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness
-Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
-Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources
-Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manage contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery
-Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change
-Strong IT skills, Atlas
-Excellent knowledge of financial rules and regulations, accounting
-Excellent knowledge of Results Management Guide and Toolkit

Management and Leadership
-Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
-Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
-Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills
-Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

UNDP Accounting and Finance Training and Certification
Prince 2 training and certification
Qualifications :

Education:
-Master’s degree in Accounting and Finance, Business, Public Administration, Economics.

Experience:
-2 years of relevant experience at the national and international level in providing management advisory services and/or managing staff and operational systems. 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.

Language Requirements:
-Fluency in the UN and national language of the duty station.


“UNDP/PAPP is an equal opportunity employer: applications from both internal and external men and women will be considered equally”

UNDP actively supports the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted by the United Nations General Assembly


Important message to all applicants!
-Please be aware that the UNDP/PAPP will review your application only if you have uploaded Personal History Form (P.11) to your application. Please download the form from the following link: http://jobs.undp.ps.
-You will get the opportunity to upload the P-11 at when you apply for the position.
-Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applications that are under consideration will be contacted.
UNDP/PAPP is an equal opportunity employer-
Applications from men and women will be considered equally