Finance Associate, Buenos Aires Job Ref. AR/UNDP/1301-24/AR005

Position Purpose

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Direct Supervisor or Operations Manager, the Finance Associate ensures effective execution of financial services and processes in the Country Office (CO) and transparent utilization of financial resources. The Finance Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme, Management Support and Business Development staff in the CO and UNDP HQ and the projects’ staff for resolving finance-related issues and exchange of information. The Finance Associate can replace de Finance Analyst during his/her absence.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP 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.) Support administration of operations and financial management strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:

Full compliance with UN/UNDP rules and regulations and other relevant policies on financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations; implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system.

•  CO finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management.
•  Monitoring and proactive follow-up on project schedule of payments in accordance with the risk management guidelines.

2.) Support project financial monitoring and follow-up of budgets as well as functioning of the optional cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results:

Support and follow-up of budgets for UNDP development project: Analysis of operating fund account (OFA) to ensure adequate financial management.

•  Revision and approval of requests for advance of funds as supported by project quarterly expenditure forecast and previous quarter financial report.
•  Revision of authorized spending limits (ASL) and cost-sharing apportionment, ensuring completeness and follow up with HQs.
•  Follow-up of financial status of co-financed projects in order to ensure availability of funds and compliance with donor agreements.
•  Revision of CDRs in order to make them available to projects. Adjustment of CDRs requested by the projects. Follow-up of the CDRs certified by the projects.
•  Support financial closure of projects.
•  Participation in project monitoring activities together with programme staff providing required inputs in relation to financial analysis performed and audit recommendations.
•  Presentation of researched information for planning and status of financial resources of the CO.

3.) Provide accounting and administrative support to the Finance unit focusing on achievement of the following results:

Proper control of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports for NEX projects; preparation of monthly cash flow forecast for projects.

•  Recording of exchange differences. GMS analysis and adjustments.
•  Proper control and pre-approval of VAT reimbursement requests.
•  Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that invoices processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Quantum; travel claims, and other entitlements are duly processed.
•  Timely corrective actions on unposted invoices, including the invoices with budgets check errors, match exceptions, unapproved invoices, monitoring AP and IFD dashboards. efzCZB7 B2ZoFY
•  Follow up with Treasury Assistant on Account Receivables for UNDP projects in order to ensure required adjustments.
•  Preparation of information for audits.

4.) Promotes a client-oriented approach and ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

Attention to projects queries and request providing timely and accurate response.

•  Organization of trainings for the operations/projects staff on Finance.
•  Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in Finances.
•  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: Supervise clerical and support staff in the Finance unit.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary Education with specialized certification in accounting and/or Finance. University degree in Finance or Accounting desirable. Part-qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage. (The degree must state that the major is in accounting or finance. Degrees in Business Administration or Public Administration are not considered equivalent.)

•  Fully Qualified Accountant, from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy or Full Completion of the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP). No UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) required.
•  Candidates with no professional accountancy qualifications, but with degrees that major in accountancy and/or finance must complete UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited. However, no UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) is required.
•  Candidates with no professional accountancy qualifications but with relevant experience must successfully undertake UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) before shortlisting and must complete the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited.

Experience:

Minimum 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience at the national or international level is required.

•  Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Power BI, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheets and web-based management systems such as Oracle financials and database packages.
•  Demonstrable knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS is desirable.
•  Experience in accounting analysis and financial closing is desirable.
•  Experience in management of United Nations System projects is desirable.
•  Experience in financial analysis of projects within the United Nations system or projects in public or private sectors is desirable.
•  Experience in payment analysis/review, including procurement processes, billing standards, budget and financial availability analysis, will be valued.

Languages:

Fluency in Spanish and English is required.

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