EXTERNAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME – SOMALIA

EXTERNAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT


RE-ADVERTISEMENT

I. Post Information
Job Title: Finance Specialist
Contract Type: Fixed Term (200 Series)
Level: L3
Supervisor: Deputy Country Director (Operations)
Duration: One Year
Duty Station: Nairobi (Possible relocation to Somalia when situation permits)
Date of Issue: 27th January 2009
Closing Date: 10th February 2009


II. Organizational Context
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director (Operations), the Finance Specialist is responsible for effective delivery of financial services, transparent utilization of financial resources and management of the CO Finance Unit. He/she analyzes and interprets the financial rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues. The Finance Specialist promotes a collaborative, client-oriented and consistent approach in the Unit with due diligence as regards rules and regulations.

The Finance Specialist supervises and leads the staff of the Finance Unit. The Finance Specialist works in close collaboration with the operations programme and project teams in the CO, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials ensuring successful CO performance in Finance.

III. Functions / Key Results Expected
Summary of Key Functions:

· Implementation of operational strategies
· Projects’ budgets management and organization of the cost-recovery system
· Control of CO accounts
· Control of CO cash management
· Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

Ensures implementation of operational strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

· Full compliance of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and audit follow up with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies; implementation of the effective internal control, proper design and functioning of the financial resources management system.
· Operalization of ATLAS in the sub-offices inside Somalia; ensuring accountability procedure in place with the Money Vendors used to effect payments.
· CO Finance business processes mapping and elaboration/establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance, control of the workflows in the Finance Unit.
· Continuous analysis and monitoring of the financial situation, presentation of forecasts for development and management projects.
· Elaboration of the framework and conditions of contributions within the CO resources mobilization efforts.

2. Manages management projects’ budgets, advises on management of development projects and organizes an optimal cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results:

· Financial resources management through planning, guiding, controlling of the resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations
· Preparation and monitoring of management projects’ budgets; Advisory and guidance services to programme staff on development project budgets.
· Contributes to the development projects’ budgets preparation/modification monitoring system, control of budgetary status versus authorized spending limits (ASL) and budgets delivery levels.
· Elaboration of proper mechanisms to eliminate deficiencies in budget management.
· Preparation of cost-recovery strategy in Atlas for the services provided by UNDP and responsible for proper implementation.
· Elaboration and implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies.

3. Ensures proper control of CO accounts focusing on achievement of the following results:

· Elaboration 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; MPOs, travel claims and other entitlements are duly processed.
· Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.
· Control of the Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects and follow up with partners/other units on contributions.

4. Ensures proper CO cash management focusing on achievement of the following results:

· 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.
· Monitoring of financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions and investigation of anomalies or unusual transactions. Provision of information to supervisors and other UNDP staff at HQ on the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.
· Daily review of zero-balance account bank statements in Atlas to monitor imprest level; identification and record of contributions.
· Primary contact with local bank management on routine operational matters including negotiation of exchange rate on replenishments.
· Member of bank signatory panel.
· Transaction and stop payment approval on internet banking systems
· Approval and submission of monthly UN exchange rate reports to Treasury
· Timely and accurate approval of bank reconciliation, including documented review of exceptions.
· Initiation of bank transfers and deals, selecting bank transfers and deals for approval and settlement.
· Performing Paycycle manager role in Atlas
· Timely preparation of monthly cashflow forecast for use by Operations Manager. Liaison with UN Agencies to obtain estimate of their cash requirements.
· Role as cashier for cash disbursements made on site.

5. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

· 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.

IV. Impact of Results
The key results have an impact on the overall CO efficiency in financial resources management and success in introduction and implementation of operational strategies. Accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial information, timely and appropriate delivery of services ensure client satisfaction and enhance UNDP credibility in use of financial resources.

V. 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
· Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning
· Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to UNDP practice areas
· Encourages office staff to share knowledge and contribute to UNDP practice areas
· Develops substantive knowledge in one or more Practice Areas
· Demonstrates strong coaching/mentoring skills, regularly providing helpful feedback and advice to others in the office
· 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 formulate and monitor management projects
· Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manage contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery
· Strong IT skills
· Ability to implement new systems (business side) and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change

Management and Leadership
· Focuses on impact and result for the client
· Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
· Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
· Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
· Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
· Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
· Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
· Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view
· Solicits feedback from staff about the impact of his/her own behavior


VI. Recruitment Qualifications

Education:
· Master’s Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics or related field.

Experience:
· Minimum of 5 to 7 years professional experience in projects’ administration, project management, financial management and audit management within the private sector or International NGOs.
· Knowledge of ATLAS Modules, internal financial management and control framework(s) is required.
· Knowledge of audit track, accounting and budgetary procedures and techniques, procurement of goods and services, stocks and assets control.
· Experience in handling issues pertaining to multi-donors funding, reporting systems, especially within the context of large fiduciary funds
· Excellent knowledge of computer standard applications (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).
· Knowledge and understanding of audit and financial management functions in post conflict or emergency settings
Language Requirements:
· Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
· Knowledge of Somali or Arabic is desirable but not a requirement.

VII. Submission of application
Please send your curriculum vitae, marked “Finance Specialist” By 10th February 2009 to: The Deputy Country Director (Operations), United Nations Development Programme - Somalia, P.O. Box 28832, 00202 Nairobi, Kenya, fax: 254-20- 4183641, e-mail: registry.so@undp.org

*Applicants who responded to the previous advertisement need not apply again.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants are required to fill the P11 Form and submit it together with the application.
Find the P11 Form for Fixed Term Contract Holders on this link:
http://www.so.undp.org/index.php/Download-document/42-P11-form-for-fixed-term-and-ALDs.html

UNDP will only be able to respond to those applications in which there is further interest.
This vacancy announcement is also available on http://jobs.undp.org/ and on the Relief Web site (http://www.reliefweb.int/)