Finance Analyst

New York City

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: New York City
Grade: Junior level - P-2, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Operations and Administrations
- Banking and Finance
Closing Date: Closed

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the global development network of the United Nations system that is on the ground in 177 countries, with its Headquarters in New York, USA. The Bureau for Management Services (BMS) is a central Bureau tasked with the development of corporate strategies, policies, tools and systems in key cross-cutting management areas.

The Office of Financial Resources Management (OFRM) performs a pivotal role within BMS and UNDP’s global finance function, partnering with Bureaux and Country Offices. The primary role of OFRM is to maintain the financial integrity of UNDP through providing financial leadership, supporting the efficient and effective management of its financial resources, promoting financial sustainability and responsible resource allocation in the context of a fluctuating funding environment. This is accomplished by the development and implementation of sound financial policies and practices, oversight of corporate financial management performance, and flexible scalable support to resource allocation. OFRM is a key source of information for the Executive Board, General Assembly, to Partners and wider civil society. It supports transparency through the provision of on time and quality statutory and other financial reports that comply with international standards and regulatory guidelines.

As part of OFRM's Financial Business Partnering Division, the Financial Innovation and Solutions Team provides guidance and support through the formulation of new and complex innovative financial solutions. The team is the primary resource for the regional bureaux, central bureaux and country offices senior staff to seek advice on complex and new financial and related policy issues that go beyond the existing financial frameworks, to formulating new innovative policies, processes and/or technology to transform finance, support development results and improve customer satisfaction. The services provided includes policy advice, financial management training, formulation of new types of financing agreements, tools and information management. In so doing, develops constructive relationships with clients to understand emerging risks and opportunities, and develops strategies, in close consultation with the regional bureau, to address risks and opportunities.

The Finance Analyst will perform activities and support relationships to mainstream and promote comprehensive innovative financial management. This includes:

Formulating and reviewing new and innovative financing mechanisms to mobilize public and private capital in new and scalable ways to address development challenges, including blended finance;
Developing innovative financial solutions for financial management and planning, tools and services to ensure the integrity and advancement of the financial management functions;
Provide value-added analyses and analytics to support clients, partners and other OFRM project teams;
Contribute to policy formulation and disseminate best innovative financial solutions for key financial functions and processes.

Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Management Innovation and Advisory Services

Formulating and reviewing new and innovative financing mechanisms to mobilize public and private capital in new and scalable ways to address development challenges, including blended finance;
Design and preparation of prescriptive content and training materials to implement new financing mechanisms, solutions, processes and procedures across the entire organization, and provide support to implement new innovations and related services.
Review financing documents and other partnership or contractual documents, to address financial and risk management issues;
Work closely with other OFRM units, and other internal stakeholders on redefining the financial tools required for differentiated business models in the organization that ensure greater efficiency and effectiveness.
Contribute to responses to internal and external audit queries, and identify emerging business requirements that may require improvements to current policies and procedures.

Financial Resource framework, planning and strategy development

Contribute to strategic and substantive financial input to the continued development of the overall operational framework for integrated financial resource planning and monitoring;
Help translate new Executive Board and EG approved budgeting and resource management strategies and innovative solutions into clearly articulated and implementable policies procedures, prescriptive content and training materials;
Support the implementation of new financial framework by performing precise and data driven analysis, and advise finance clients of available options, solutions and pilot opportunities.

Financial performance assessment and analysis and advisory services

Provide advisory services and training on the utilization and interpretation of the new policies and procedures, and financial tools;
Analyse trends, identify areas for improvement and undertake root-cause analysis to identify opportunities for improvements in the financial frameworks, policies and procedures to address systemic issues that hinder performance;
Identify emerging risks and opportunities in financial management and oversight
Provide information and analyses for use in EG and OPG Briefs, and Executive Board documents

Other functions

Leverage the Analytics team to support analysis and formulate business inputs for new solutions.
Work with Analytics team, to translate business and functional requirements into innovative improvements to the ERP system, other Financial tools and reports;
Contribute to the preparation of functional specifications for new Atlas reports and queries related to financial and resource management; design and test new functionality, tools and reports;
Contribute to ad hoc projects.

Impact of Results

Incumbent contributes to the development and implementation of new and innovative UNDP policies and best resource management practices, aligned with corporate goals and priorities. Incumbent’s work outputs directly impact and drive organizational effectiveness and efficiency. Results delivered will contribute to build improved strategic, integrated financial management and resource planning of UNDP, at the senior management level as well as the office and staff levels.

Nature of Interactions

Works productively with other units of OFRM in cross-unit project teams.

Is a key element in ensuring a pro-active liaison between OFRM units, Analytics team, and Bureaux clients in the development of new services and analytical reports.

Interacts with other unit members on a daily basis and provides information, feedback and other inputs related to the common purpose improving financial management across UNDP.

Competencies

Corporate/ Managerial

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
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills
Ability to work under a tight schedule and accept additional responsibilities.

Functional

Ability to perform strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
Ability to formulate and monitor of management projects
Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration, budgetary and financial policies and processes
Proficient in UNDP corporate instruments, such as the institutional budget and programming frameworks
Ability to perform business process re-engineering, maximize use of GSSC, implementation of new systems (business and technical side), and effect staff behavioural/ attitudinal change
Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
Able to build and conduct trainings on Budget and Financial matters
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced (Masters) University Degree in Finance/Accounting, or Business Administration, or a professional accounting qualification from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy or CFA. Professionally qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy or CFA qualified applicants will have a distinct advantage.
Long-listed candidates will be required to undergo the UNDP Advanced Accountancy and Finance Test (UNDP AFT).

Experience:

Minimum two years of relevant experience in the areas of providing advisory services for complex financing, accounting and/or financial matters, and interpreting financial policies and frameworks
Excellent knowledge and familiarity with ERP systems, Peoplesoft preferred;
Detailed knowledge and experience complying with IFRS or IPSAS.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English. Working knowledge of another UN language is an advantage, particularly Spanish or French.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Scam warning

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This vacancy is now closed.
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