Job Description

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

General Assembly Resolution 2186 (XXI) decided to “bring into operations the United Nations Capital Development Fund as an organ of the General Assembly which shall function as an autonomous organization of the United Nations. The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) assists developing countries, especially least developing countries, in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants, loans, and guarantees. UNCDFs vision is to help mobilize and catalyze an increase of capital flows for SDG impactful investments to Member States to address the most pressing development challenges facing vulnerable communities in these countries and thereby contribute to sustainable economic growth and equitable prosperity.

As a Flagship Catalytic Blended Financing platform of the UN, UNCDF utilizes its unique capability in the UN system to deploy grants, loans and guarantees to crowd-in finance for the scaling of development impact. UNCDF focuses on where the needs are greatest, a deliberate focus and capability rooted in UNCDF’s unique investment mandate to support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the realization of the Doha Programme of Action for the least developed countries, 2022–2031.

As per its Strategic Framework, UNCDF works to deploy its functions as a hybrid development organization and development finance institution. UNCDF responds to Member States requests for assistance by providing targeted technical and financial advisory services on investments for development outcomes, designing bespoke financial structuring solutions, undertaking financial derisking of investments, and enhancing investment readiness of SDG aligned projects in partnership with private sector, United Nations Organizations, International and Local Finance Institutions, Development Finance Institutions as well as Foundations and Philanthropy, among others. UNCDF works to develop local financial systems, new markets and mobilize and crowd in capital from public and private sources. UNCDF is driven by a partnership mindset which enables it to deploy its different capital capabilities in highly tailored and responsive ways in order to mobilize investments flows from other sources, in particular from the private sector. By structuring transactions which are highly impactful, but also recognize the need for multiplying the impact of its own capital, UNCDF seeks to position itself as a preferred partner for different stakeholders. UNCDF’s work is focused on three priority areas, including:

• SME Finance
• Sub-National Finance
• Digital Finance

UNCDF’s organizational set up includes an Investment and Implementation Division (IID), Investment and Finance Oversight Division (IFOD), Operations and Oversight Division (OOD) and a Directorate of the Executive Office. UNCDF staff and personnel are located in regional hubs based in Dakar (Senegal), Nairobi (Kenya) and Bangkok (Thailand) with sub-regional presence in a number of locations in the Caribbean and Pacific Regions. UNCDF is led by an Executive Secretary based out of New York, USA. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 2321(XXII, para 1.a), the Administrator of the UNDP performs the function of the Managing Director of UNCDF. UNCDF is overseen by an Executive Board comprised of UN Member States.

Position Purpose

Under the overall guidance of the Corporate Finance Services Advisor, the Finance Specialist is responsible for ensuring the highest efficiency in financial resources management and the provision of accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial information, effective delivery of financial services, and transparent utilization of financial resources. The Finance Specialist 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 approach consistent with UNDP/UNCDF rules and regulations.

The Finance Specialist will work in close collaboration with the programme, operations, and project teams in the CO, UNCDF HQ and GSSC staff, and ensure successful

financial performance.

The position will be based in Bangkok, Thailand and may require some travel. UNCDF staff may be periodically redeployed to different regional hubs or headquarters as needed, subject to capability, consent, and due process.

UNCDF adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNCDF 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

1.) Ensure effective implementation of operational and financial management strategies, procedures, and oversight, including risk management.

• Ensure financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and audit follow up are in full compliance with UNDP/UNCDF Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) and strategies. Provide support in closure of audit gaps, implement effective internal controls, and ensure proper design and functioning of the financial resources management system with attention to risk management.
• Support UNCDF divisions in preparing and reviewing finance business processes mapping; elaborate/establish internal standard operating procedures in the Finance Unit, and control Finance Unit workflows.
• Under the supervision of Corporate Finance Services Advisor, support the financial closures processes, including preparation of financial statements and accompanying notes.
• Routinely monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigate anomalies or unusual transactions. Inform Senior Management of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.
• Perform data analysis and presentation of information/reports using corporate dashboard, Executive snapshots and other tools and resources.
• Serve as focal point for corporate level reports to the Executive Board, specific donors and other governing bodies.

2.) Lead on project/award setup, revenue management and recognition as per International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS)

• Support UNCDF Management to articulate the framework and conditions of contributions within UNCDF’s resource mobilization efforts.
• Contract setup, validation and revenue management of core and non-core resources of UNCDF in Quantum, in close coordination with UNDP’s Global Shared Services Centre.
• Perform focal point functions in UNCDF for project award and contribution related aspects in UNCDF as well as support UNBOA audit processes.
• Supervise the monthly, quarterly and yearly revenue recognition process, following IPSAS and UNCDF’s business model
• Continuously analyze and monitor the financial situation and potential risks, and provide forecasts for allocated development and management projects, transactions, and activities.
• Ensure cost-sharing financing contributions are applied to UNCDF development projects on a timely basis.
• Coordinate preparation of projects financial reports for management and for donors reporting on a timely and quality basis.

3.) Coordinate transaction oversight and reporting systems

• Provide guidance to regional management and oversight teams to ensure all financial transactions are identified, recorded, and verified in compliance with IPSAS as outlined in the corporate policies and procedures.
• Ensure timely corrective actions on unposted invoices and GL transactions, including invoices with validation errors, match exceptions, and/or unapproved invoices.
• Guide project teams on outstanding advances and receivables for development projects and accounts closure.
• Support the Corporate Finance Services Advisor in maintaining the integrity of the General Ledger.
• Monitor dashboards and exceptions, and follow-up with regional management and oversight teams to ensure remedial actions are promptly taken.
• Provide guidance on fixed assets and inventory verification and certification for all UNCDF offices and divisions.
• Support the Corporate Finance Services Advisor in the implementation of new IPSAS accounting standards and rollout of new accounting procedures.

4.) Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and sharing in the CO and provide guidance to stakeholders on financial and related matters.

• Provide support in Identifying training needs of UNCDF staff for the purpose of capacity development and ensuring compliance with financial policies and procedures.
• Lead training sessions with new staff/programme colleagues on Quantum functionalities and UNCDF project implementation including SOPs for program and finance related matters.
• Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in Finance.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities None

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Results - LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively - LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously - LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility - LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination - LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner - LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion - LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

• Business Direction & Strategy - System Thinking Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
• Business Management - Portfolio Management Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management
• 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
• Finance - Accounting (General) Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, regulations, policies and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.
• Finance - Financial Planning and Budgeting Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNCDF's long and short-term financial goals, including planning, budgeting, forecasting, analyzing and reporting
• 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 appropriate 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
  

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• A professional accounting qualification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy, and/or Advanced (Masters) University Degree in Finance and/ or Accounting is required.
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Candidates with professional accounting qualifications from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
• Candidates with no professional accountancy qualifications, but with degrees that major in accounting and/or finance must complete the Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited.
• Candidates satisfying the two above criteria are exempted from undertaking the UNDP Advanced Accountancy and Finance Test (AAFT).
• Candidates with MBA or master's in finance with no accountancy qualification but with relevant experience must successfully undertake the UNDP Advanced Accountancy and Finance Test (AAFT) to be eligible for shortlisting.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in providing corporate financial management advisory services to project and programme teams in multilateral organizations is required.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as Oracle Cloud is required.
• Excellent knowledge of multilateral organizations’ financial resource management policies and practices is required.
• Experience with IPSAS and/or IFRS standards is required.
• Solid experience in providing corporate financial management advisory services and financial resources management in UN/UNDP/UNCDF at HQ level is desired.
• Experience with preparation of statutory financial statements with a UN organization is desired.
• Experience with revenue management in a UN organization is desired.
• Experience with the implementation of new IPSAS standards with a UN organization is desired.
• Experience with corporate year-end closure process and audit coordination with a UN organization is desired.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

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

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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