Finance Associate

Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Organizational Context:  
UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, we have worked towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all. With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to supporting the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet. Our new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on our prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic portfolios: 

• Strong, accountable and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs 
• Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized 
• Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems and resilient development for reduced vulnerability South-South cooperation, gender equality and social inclusion are promoted across the pillars. 

The programme is supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, strategic innovation and accelerator labs, and data and digital architecture. You are invited to join a team of future-smart development professionals to support India in achieving the national and globally agreed goals. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with diverse stakeholders to find country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first.

Office/Unit Description: 
 
The UNDP Finance Unit is a part of UNDP India CO Operations. The unit is responsible for effective delivery of financial services, transparent utilization of financial resources and facilitate effective management of the Country Office (CO) programme and project budgets. The unit in close collaboration with the operations, programme and project teams in the CO and with UNDP HQs staff and Government officials ensures highest level delivery of functions while adherence to UNDP financial rules and regulations. It provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues following a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The Finance Associate will support the Head of Finance and will have a matrix reporting to Head of Finance and the Finance Associate and ensure timely and efficient financial management and administrative processes. S/he will be based at UNDP, New Delhi. As this is a full-time position, s/he cannot hold any other job/assignments during this assignment.
Duties and Responsibilities

Job Purpose and Scope of Work: 

Main Purpose: Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Head Finance Unit the Finance Associate will provide support to office operations performing a variety of standard financial and administrative processes ensuring high quality and accuracy of work. She/he will be expected to promote a clientoriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with the UNDP Operations, Programme, UN agencies and UNRCO for resolving administration and finance related issues and information exchange, statutory compliances, filing of documents.
Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Ensuring full compliance with UN/UNDP rules and regulations of financial processes, financial records and reports; and processing of UN agency support service lines. Support the unit in tracking and reconciliation of UN agency fee and adjustments and transparent application of UPL/LPL. 
• Track CO level transactions through SMT tool and ensure regular follow-up of services recorded in the tool and provide MIS reports to the supervisor. 
• Perform Travel certifier role for clearance of travel claims of designated units assigned for certification. 
• Regularly review of incoming GST Tax invoices for its correctness and ensure e-repository for quarterly filing of claims. 
• Facilitate submission of GST and VAT claims of all CO projects and operating expenditure and respond after collating data from relevant teams. 
• Preparation of taxation reconciliations and collate documents for submission of response to deficiency memos issued by the Govt. tax department. 
• Coordinate with vendors for receipt of proper invoices as per the statutory requirements.
• Facilitate project reporting, budget and financial management of CO Engagement facility project including accounts payable and receivable. 
• Support in preparation and modifications of budgets for UNDP projects and error budget resolution for payment validation. 
• Ensure timely and correct GL adjustments, process ZVIs, JE, GLJEs and ensure proper supporting documentation are filed for all financial transactions and submission of certifications. 
• Maintain project files, documentation, spreadsheet and ensure regular donor wise fund status reporting of the project. Support the unit in documentation management and uploading information in the database/ CO repository. Facilitate prompt follow up with Programme and Operations teams to maintain CO e-repository and resolve dashboard issues. 
• Timely response to HQ/GSSU requests to resolve financial data issues. 
• Prepare salary certificates to be issued to all UNDP staff and staff of UN agencies administered by UNDP. 
• Ensure prompt use of CO tools and upload workplans/ certified delivery reports of all projects. Learn and support application of ERP financial management modules and share knowledge with clients on Organization financial management procedures. 
• Support in reviewing CO development projects accounts payable and receivable reports and prepare reconciliation/ summary sheets. 
• Assist in organizing relevant meetings and support the unit in client service delivery and responding to routine queries. Arrange logistics for meetings/workshops/ training sessions held by the unit.
   

Reporting To: Head of Finance, FTA/NOB 
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: 
 

Thematic Area Name Definition
Audit & Investigation – General Financial and Managerial Accounting and Finance key concepts Key concepts and principles of financial accounting, interpret financial analysis, managerial accounting, etc.
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
Partnership management multi-stakeholder engagement and funding Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms
Finance Accounting (General) Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks, standards, regulations, policies and trends, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
Finance Finance business partnering Able to support business units and add value by innovating and providing solutions to financial issues/queries, including through FAQs, financial tools, advisory, etc. Influences and appropriately challenges non-finance colleagues for whom the service is being provided. · Understands the operations, opportunities and challenges of the organization. Holds a commercial outlook, demonstrating accountability towards organizational goals.
Finance Financial risk management Ensures financial resilience through proactive assessment of risk, implementation of controls and taking mitigating action. · Understands risk and reward in relation to collaborative and commercial projects. Ensures a culture of positive risk management
Finance Financial communication and impact Ability to report financial information clearly to non-finance leaders, including to various governing bodies such as the Executive Board. · Willingness to make, communicate and implement difficult decisions based on accurate evidence and reflecting varied advice/viewpoints. · Understands how to clearly communicate sometimes complex financial information to others using easy-to-understand media and language. · Challenges effectively and gives and receives constructive feedback. · Negotiates effectively to ensure optimum balance between best outcomes and best value for public funds.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

Min. Education requirements: 

• Secondary Education with specialized certification in accounting and/or Finance is required.  
• University degree in Finance or Accounting desirable. 
• 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) 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. 
• Candidates 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 years of relevant work experience

• 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible finance and accounting and/or general administration 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. 
• Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required.

Required skills: 

• Excellent working knowledge of MS Office-Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Intra-Internet, e-mail applications etc.

Desired skills:  

• Experience of working with international organizations, financial institutions, NGOs/ INGOs including the UN. 
• Experience in the use of information/databases/other management systems 
• Demonstrated experience of drafting official communication especially related to the profile

Required Language(s): Excellent oral and writing skills in English and Hindi.
Disclaimer
 
Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders) 
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

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