Finance Specialist- LIUPCP

Dhaka

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Dhaka
Grade: Consultancy - SB-4 (SC8/SC9), Service Contract, Local Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Operations and Administrations
- Banking and Finance
- Poverty Reduction
- Urban Development, planning and design
- Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction
- Food Security, Livestock and Livelihoods
- URBAN POVERTY REDUCTION
Closing Date: Closed

Background

The Livelihoods Improvement of Urban Poor Communities (LIUPC) Project (also known as National Urban Poverty Reduction Programme-NUPRP) builds on the experiences of the DFID, UNDP and GoB funded Urban Poverty Reduction Project-UPPR (2007-2015), one of the largest urban poverty reduction intervention in the world which established a community based approach to reduce urban poverty working with more than 2,500 Community Organizations in 23 Pourashavas (Municipalities) and City Corporations. LIUPC will be implemented over a period of five years (2017-2022) and will cover up to 25-36 Pourashavas and City Corporations. LIUPC is to provide support towards contributing to balanced, sustainable growth and reduction of urban poverty in Bangladesh. LIUPC will work nationwide and cover poor people living in slums and informal settlements in Pourashavas and City Corporations in Bangladesh. This programme will contribute “To ensure a sustainable improvement in the livelihoods and living conditions of 4 million poor people living in urban slums/informal settlements”.

The programme has five Outputs:

Output 1: Strengthened pro-poor urban management, policy and planning

Output 2: Enhanced Organisation, capability and effective voice of poor urban communities

Output 3: Improved economic and social well-being for the urban poor

Output 4: More secure tenure and housing finance for the urban poor

Output 5: Improved resilient infrastructure in, and serving, low-income settlements

The ultimate intended beneficiaries of this intervention are the poor and vulnerable urban people, now and in future years. Based on evidence outlined in the previous UPPR reviews and similar types of urban interventions in Bangladesh, the LIUPC reasonably expects a wide range of benefits to result from the interventions at community, municipal and national levels. Given the ever-expanding size of the urban centers and the populations that will be linked to employment opportunities, interventions targeting urban poor people should affect overall economic growth, income inequality, employment and the poverty situation.

The Local Government Division (LGD) of Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives and UNDP will be the Implementing Partners.

In each town the Town Manager will lead the Programme Team comprising of programme staff and staff from the local government institutions.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Finance Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Operations Coordinator and guidance of the National Project Director and National Project Manager, and in close coordination with UNDP Finance Unit to achieve the following:

Summary of Key Functions:

•Ensuring strategic direction of Project finance management;

•Effective and accurate financial resources management and oversight;

•Project budget management;

•Ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports; assist to different audits;

•Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing;

Ensuring strategic direction of Project finance management:

Compliance of operations with UNDP and GoB rules, regulations, policies, procedures and monitoring achievement of results of LIUPC;
Provision of advice on strategies, policies and plans affecting LIUPC finance managements, delivery of practice advisory, knowledge and learning services;
LIUPCP business processes mapping and establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures;
Continuous analysis and monitoring of the financial situation, presentation of forecasts for management;
Elaboration and implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies (including introduction and development of e-banking);
Implementation of transparency, accountability and efficiency of Town financial reporting through introducing IT based accounting system;
Routinely monitors financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigates anomalies or unusual transactions. Informs management of the results of investigation when satisfactory responses are not obtained;
Identify and analyze of potential fiduciary risks which may occur and affect the achievement of LIUPC objectives; prepare mitigation strategy to reduce fiduciary risk.

Effective and accurate financial resources management and oversight:

Financial analysis and oversight for all resources managed by the LIUPC and provision of professional advice to the project management;
Full compliance with UNDP POPP/National Implementation Modality (NIM), UNDP rules and regulations of financial processes, financial record keeping, reporting and proper planning, supporting follow up audit, implementation of the effective internal control framework,
Design Chart of Accounts (CoA) of the project to meet government and donor requirements, align financial data with M&E data, tools and techniques.
Assess degree of compliance with donor agreement and keep update project management on currency exchange loos/gain,
Review of Letter of Agreements (LoA) including associated documentation;
Review of Town financial reports and recommended to release fund;
Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas,
Conduct regular budget check for requisitions, POs and vouchers in ATLAS;
Timely review of cash position to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements;
Monitor disbursement of funds periodically to inform management and implementation of activities in accordance LoA, UNDP rules and regulations;
Reconcile FACE/FR with combined Delivery Report (CDR),
Ensure all Atlas related transactions, a.i, budget analysis, upload budget, monitor project budget, enter necessary GLJE in Atlas ect.
Regularly monitor programme delivery through ATLAS, run relevant reports, and prepare clear, user-friendly financial spreadsheets, reports, statements and/or other supporting documentation for project management;
Identify and report on budgetary shortfalls/surpluses as well as results based indicators to ensure effective and efficient control and delivery of multi-donor funds;
Effective liaison between the LIUPC Management, UNDP, and Town Management, on administrative, financial and transactional issues related to the LIUPC;
Monitor the finance management in the field offices through close follow up with the project Finance and Admin. Experts in the field.
Performing spot check of the responsible/implementing parties of the project, assess and report on the compliance and existence of the partner’s programme, financial and operational management policies, procedures, systems and internal controls as assessed in Micro Assessment report of the responsible/implementing parties.

Project budget management:

Management of all financial resources through planning, guiding, monitoring and controlling of the resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
Creation of LIUPC budget (including all sub-project related activities and funds) in ATLAS in light of ProDoc/Annual Work Plan (AWP), monitoring of their status, revisions, determination of unutilized funds, as well as operational and financial closure of Project (as required);
Regular analysis and reporting on the budget approvals and the delivery situation of LIUPC;
Explore proper mechanisms to eliminate deficiencies in budget management;
Prepare multi-year component wise budget and variance analysis.

Financial Reporting and support to Audits:

Prepare periodic financial reports for donors on a timely and quality basis;
Prepare responses to donors on different queries of financial reports;
Prepare financial reports for Project Steering Committee, Project Board and LIUPC management;
Assist GoB counterpart to prepare financial progress report for IMED and ERD;
Ensure timely receipts and posting of Town financial reports;
Assist various audit of external and internal parties and prepare management response to different audits;
Ensure implementation of audit recommendations and corrective actions where needed;
Build capacity to avoid qualified opinion of auditors.

Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing:

Ensure the proper implementation of Internal Control Framework, Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) of LIUPC;
Review and update the financial manual for Communities who will be working with LIUPC;
Organize/conduct training for the project staff on financial management;
Organize/conduct ToT for field staff to build the financial management capacity of Communities;
Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in Program finance;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
Perform any other duty related to the LIUPC program as assigned by management.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall execution of the LIUPC Project financial services and success in implementation of operational strategies. Accurate analysis and presentation of financial information ensures proper financial processes timely and appropriate delivery of services, ensure client satisfaction and enhance UNDP credibility in use of financial resources.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies

Client Orientation: Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

Anticipates client needs;
Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective;
Solicits feedback on service provision and quality.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise: In-depth knowledge of own discipline

Understands advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines (financial resources management);
Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit;
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
Continually looking for ways to enhance financial performance in the office.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing: Developing tools and mechanisms

Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
Participates in the development of mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Promoting Organizational Change and Development: Assisting the individuals to cope with change

Performs appropriate work analysis and assists in redesign to establish clear standards for implementation;

Design And Implementation of Management Systems: Designing and implementing management system

Makes recommendations regarding operation of systems within organizational units;
Identifies and recommends remedial measures to address problems in systems design or implementation.

Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management: Input to the development of standards and policies

Provides inputs to the development of organizational standards for accountability;

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to perform a variety of specialized activities related to financial resources management, including formulating budgets, maintaining Accounts Receivables and Accounts Payables, making transactions, reporting;
Ability to lead strategic planning, result based management and reporting: full project cycle mastery, excellent work/project planning skills, financial resources management including formulating budgets, maintaining Accounts Receivables and Accounts Payables, making transactions, mastery of UNDP’s new programme modalities (NIM/DIM execution etc.) and also use of ERP;
Sound knowledge of financial rules and regulations, accounting;
Strong IT skills;
Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system.

Leadership and Self-Management

Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Building and promoting effective teams;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters’ Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or other related professional degree in financial management.

Experience:

A minimum of 8 years of expereince whereas 3 years releavant progressively responsible finance experience is required with large national or international organizations;
Experience in office packages particularly advance knowledge of spreadsheet and ERP Financial Management system;
Experience of working in UN bi-lateral project with multi donor approach and familiar to work with GoB;
Experience of urban set-up (Pourashava/City Corporation) and excellent; understanding of donor and GoB compliances of financial management;
Hands-on experience with UN or similar development programme;
Solid financial Management skills in ATLAS, Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required;
Good communication and presentation skills.

Language Requriements:

Fluency in English (written and spoken)
Fluency in Bangla (written and spoken)

Disclaimer

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, ethnicity and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and people living with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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