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Finance Associate (NPSA-6)

Belgrade

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Belgrade
  • Grade: Administrative support - NPSA-6, National Personnel Services Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Administrative support
    • Banking and Finance
  • Closing Date: 2024-11-06

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.

The purpose of this position is to recruit a qualified candidate to provide finance related support to UNDP Serbia country office, projects and other UN agencies (upon request).

In the context of the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by member States of the United Nations (UN), UNDP has supported Member States and other stakeholders in implementing commitments – which set concrete aspirations to end hunger and disease for all people in the world; fight inequality and discrimination; promoting sustainable production and consumption systems and combating climate change.

Supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs in Serbia is an essential part of UNDP’s mandate, and UNDP has been working, in partnership with the Serbian government and other partners, on social mobilization and territorialization of the SDGs to reach areas and communities where progress has been slower and assure that “leave no one behind”. The focus is on strengthening institutional capacities and social participation mechanisms to ensure the design and implementation of inclusive public policies in a friendly and profitable business environment respecting and preserving the environment.

Under the overall supervision of the Finance Analyst and the direct guidance and supervision of the Finance Associate GS-7, the Finance Associate ensures the efficient functioning of the Country Office, implementation of the Country Office activities and achievement of planned results, in accordance with full confidentiality in all aspects of its responsibilities, compliance with procedures and monitoring of files and commitments made. 

Finance Associate will provide support to the finance related processes, while ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work, in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Besides supporting the Country Office, Finance Associate also supports Programme and Projects and other sister Agencies through agency requests, while promoting a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

 
Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Finance Associate GS-7, the Finance Associate is responsible for providing high-quality finance support.

Specific responsibilities will include:

Efficient project finance management

  • Ensures full compliance of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system with UNDP rules and regulations and contractual requirements; 
  • Implements effective internal control, proper functioning of financial resources management system;
  • Ensures proper control of the supporting documents for payments, implement proper filing system;

Support effective administration and financial planning

  • Support timely and accurate administration of Management, DPC and CSA  projects’ budget;
  • Advise and support staff on Management, DPC and CSA  budgets reallocations and chart of accounts coding, etc., accounting, policy application and other financial matters;
  • Develop tools and mechanisms for effective and efficient monitoring of projects budgets, coordinate compilation of financial data and provide accurate and updated financial information on a continuous basis;
  • Verifies all the expenses related to Management, DPC and CSA projects implementation;
  • Timely process payments of invoices and ensure tax exemption for Management, DPC and CSA projects related goods and services; 
  • Prepares regular Management, DPC and CSA projects-level financial status reports for internal and external distribution; 
  • Follow up on cost recovery for the office expenditures and on timely recovery of payments. 
  • Prepares ad-hoc financial information as requested by the UNDP or partner agencies;
  • Provides assistance in preparing annual workplans and progress reports;
  • Provides assistance in preparation of monitoring and evaluation plan;
  • Provides support to management of the project in ERP software including project creation, revision and utilization of funds;
  • Advises the Finance Team on the management of project finances;
  • Maintains Management, DPC and CSA projects cashflow tools;
  • Manages finances in ERP software (e.g. preparation of e-requisitions, PO and non-PO vouchers, corrective actions on vouchers etc.);
  • Keeps records on financial transactions;
  • Participates in preparation for verification mission;
  • Present information for audit purposes;
  • Carry out all day to day administrative, operational, budgetary and financial management functions of the projects;

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

  • Synthesizes lessons learnt and best practices in financial management.
  • Contributes to knowledge networks and communities of practice
  • Perform other duties within functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the project efficiency as required by the supervisor.

Institutional Arrangement

The Finance Associate will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Finance Associate GS-7, and under overall supervision of Finance Analyst.
 

Competencies

Core competencies:

  • 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 and Technical competencies:

  • Finance - Budget management  
    • Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets
  • Finance - Financial planning and budgeting          
    • Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analyzing and reporting
  • Finance  - Finance reporting and analysis              
    • Understands changes in regulatory, legal and ethical frameworks and standards for financial reporting in the public sector. Ability to extract, evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful and coherent manner to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring. Understands the benefits of integrated reporting, including non-financial resources such as human, social and intellectual capital, and environmental and governance performance
  • Digital & Innovation - Digital & Innovation          
    • Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making
  • Operations: Administration, Finance, HR, Procurement, IT and Security - Procure-to-Pay
    • Knowledge of purchase-to-pay cycles, concepts, principles and policies, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
       

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Secondary Education, preferably with certificate in accounting, is required, or
  • Bachelor’s Degree in economy, accounting, finance or other related fields will be given due consideration

Part-qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.

Long-listed candidates may be required to undergo the UNDP Accountancy & Finance Test (AFT)

Experience:
  • Minimum 6 years with Secondary education or 3 years with Bachelor’s degree of relevant work experience in financial planning and/or monitoring;
  • At least 3 years of professional experience working in finance units. 

Required skills:

  • Good communication, coordination, and facilitation skills;
  • Excellent analytical and organizational skills;
  • Excellent information technology skills, including word processing, database applications, presentation software, and internet;
  • Ensure compliance with UNDP rules, regulations and policies of financial activities;
  • Establishes lasting relationships and substantive dialogue with clients;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Builds strong relationships with partners and colleagues;
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling ethical standards.

Desired skills:

  • Experience working in the UN system or other international organizations;
  • Familiarity with UNDP ERP Software; 
  • Excellent interpersonal, networking and team-building skills.
Languages:
  • Excellent knowledge of written and spoken Serbian and English.
Disclaimer
 
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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