Finance Associate

UNDP’s mission as part of the UN system is to achieve sustainable development and fight poverty wherever it is greatest. This requires the very best of us, world-class collaboration, innovative thinking, resilient-based strategies, and continuous learning. UNDP’s competitive advantage as a development partner of choice comes from having the trust of developing countries, owing to our impartial character, transparency, and longstanding presence and commitment to the poorest and most vulnerable. We offer opportunities to make a lasting difference to the more than 170 countries where we commit our support and expertise.

As a trusted, long-term partner of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund, GF), UNDP’s value proposition lies in providing an integrated package of development solutions to strengthen institutions to deliver health services. Through its contributions as interim Principal Recipient and provider of technical assistance in over 53 countries since 2003, UNDP’s provision of integrated policy, implementation and capacity development support to countries has yielded significant health and development results in challenging operating environments. In Afghanistan, UNDP is the interim Principal Recipient (PR) for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and health systems, with a budget of approximately $70 million.  For effective implementation of the Global Fund resources, UNDP Afghanistan has established a Program Management Unit (PMU), which is responsible for the day-to-day overall programme management, risk management, policy guidance, financial accountability, procurement of goods, including health products and services, strengthening of the national pharmaceutical and laboratory supply chain systems. 
 

Under direct supervision of the Finance Specialist, the Finance Associate will provide financial management, general administrative support, and capacity building. This will be done in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, the grant agreement, and corporate agreements with the GF, and working in partnership with national and provincial stakeholders, Sub-recipients (SRs) and close coordination with the GF (including Local Fund Agent), technical partners and UN entities, and the GF/HST. 

• Full compliance with UNDP/GF rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations; and implementation ofeffective internal controls.
• Preparation follow-up and modifications of consolidated grant and SR budgets.
• Implementation of the control mechanism for Global Fund program budgets through monitoring budgets preparation and modifications, expenditures versus budgeted amounts and, maintenance of the General Ledger.
• Sending project budget to KK if authorized by the Senior Management.
• Timely preparation of cost-recovery bills in Quantum for the services provided to the SRs, elaboration and implementation of the income tracking system and follow up on cost recovery.

2) Provides accounting and administrative support to the PMU operations division focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Proper control of the supporting documents for payments, review of financial reports for the GF project.
• Approval of vendors in Quantum.
• Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Quantum;payrolls are duly prepared; travel claims and other entitlements are duly processed.
• Coordination and review of 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 projects and follow up with partners on contributions.
• Timely VAT reimbursements.
• Proper receipting of goods and services and establishment of accruals.

3) Ensures proper project cash management functioning 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.
• Daily review of zero-balance account bank statements in Quantum to monitor interest level; identification and recording of contributions.
• Alternate to Finance Analyst as primary contact with local bank management on routine operational matters including negotiation of exchange rate on replenishment. 
• Timely and accurate preparation of bank reconciliations.
• Selecting bank transfers and deals for approval and settlements.
• Performing Pay cycle manager role in Quantum.
• Timely preparation of monthly cash flow forecast for use by Finance Team.
• Alternate as cashier for cash disbursements made on site.

4) Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the PMU focusing on the following results:

• Organization of training for the operations/programme/projects staff on financial management.
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in financial management.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

5) Institutional Arrangement

The Finance Associate will work under the overall guidance of the Finance Specialist to ensure the provision of effective and efficient financial management activities.  
 

• Experience working in/with international donor-funded projects with finance duties. 
• Solid experience in working with a multi-cultured group of people and systems in high-pressure environments. 
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of web-based management systems. 

• Knowledge of Global Fund’s financial policies and procedures, is an asset.
• Experience with ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft, is an asset.
• Knowledge and experience working in the UN or UNDP rules, regulations, policies and procedures is an asset.

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. 
• Fluency in Dari and/or Pashtu is required.