Finance Specialist

Background

UNDP, as an integral part of its mission to fight poverty and improve the lives of people around the world, is committed to being open, transparent and accountable. As part of this commitment, UNDP adopted International Public-Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) in January 2012 and established a Global Shared Service Centre (GSSC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to provide IPSAS accounting transactional recording, procurement, and related advisory and support services to UNDP Offices worldwide, and to provide training to UNDP Offices where needed.

The Global Shared Services Unit (GSSU) within the Bureau for Management Services (BMS) supports all UNDP offices and units with the provision of transactional services. This includes a core set of transactions in Finance and HR that are already being handled by the Global Shared Service Unit (GSSU) in Kuala Lumpur. The GSSU is led by the Director who reports to the Director of Bureau for Management Services (BMS).

The Finance Specialist will be required to work closely with other divisions within the Office of Financial Resources Management (OFRM) to ensure the integrity of UNDP financial records. The incumbent also provides input to the preparation of corporate reports and financial schedules to support the corporate financial statements (interim financial and annual) as well as audit requests.

S/he will monitor team work in accordance to Service Agreements, will have a transparent and open communication with GSSU customers, and report any deviation to the Services Agreements so that corrective actions can be taken in time. S/he will improve regularly the team’ processes, in a continuous improvement culture

Under the guidance and direct supervision of Finance Manager, the Finance Specialist will on a day-to-day basis implement the operational policies and procedures of the GSSU; manage and monitor client relationships and services provided to clients; provide oversight, guidance and support the financial and accounting functions in all the areas of service provided by GSSU. In addition, the Finance Specialist will support Finance Manager and GSSU Director in providing functional leadership and guidance in setting of management targets and key performance indicators and instilling a performance management culture throughout the business.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

• Business planning and development
• Day-to-day management
• Accounting service provision (as per the assigned line of work)
• Knowledge management and learning

1) Under the direction of Finance Manager, the Finance Specialist will undertake the day-to-day management of the finance services, including the following responsibilities:

• Workforce planning and development:
  • Developing and managing a client-oriented and highly-skilled team, that is fully committed to the achievement of the GSSU’s functions and target results, including current and new services lines as required;
  • Promoting cross-unit team work.
• Workload management:
  • Managing the day-to-day operations as a business, responding to changes in volumes and workload, including careful planning for peak workload periods in the assigned line of work. This also includes monitoring the flexible working arrangements, as required;
• Information and communication technology management:
  • Works with each team to identify opportunities to gain from the use of IT systems;
  • Ensures the utilization of the systems to support client relationship management, content management and knowledge sharing.
• Financial management:
  • Having senior manager rights in UNDP’s Enterprise Resources Planning (ATLAS); ensuring the integrity of financial systems; ; and applying UNDP rules, regulations, policies and procedures consistently, particularly in regard to IPSAS;
• Financial oversight:
  • Scrutinizes financial exception reports to identify unusual activities and transactions; investigates all anomalies or unusual transactions, and informs his/her supervisor when satisfactory answers are not obtained;
• Facilitate the interaction with OFRM for the provision of periodic reports and feedback of the performance of client COs as well as the GSSU itself, with the support of Regional Service Managers;
• Alerts the Finance Manager and GSSU Director to non-standard requests as per the escalation workflow.

2) Finance Specialist shall provide guidance and direct support to the Regional Service Managers in the provision of transactional, advisory and support services to clients. This includes providing the following services in the assigned areas of work

• Revenue Management Services:
  • Review contributions agreements signed by client offices, outstanding contributions and determine the appropriate IPSAS recognition method/amendments. Review and approve Agreements, Billing Plans and Milestones in the Contracts Module. Manage deposit creation and application process.
• Record-to-Report, Asset, B2B, Procure-to-pay management services:
  • Manage and ensure all GL and bank accounts are analyzed, reconciled, validated and appropriate actions are taken.
  • Manage fixed assets accounting, certification, regular verifications and reconciliation.
  • Provide guidance to investment planning, manage cash and investment accounts.
  • Ensure correct application of International Commercial terms in receipting and accrual adjustments.
  • Manage regular reconciliation of the asset register, ensuring support to management verification of asset.
  • Manage invoicing, vendor management and other P2P related workstreams.
  • Supervise the monthly, quarterly and year-end closing for expenses
• Other duties as required during the transitional period of scope enhancement, as assigned by Finance Manager under the guidance of GSSU Director.

3) Finance Specialist supports the Finance Manager and GSSU Director in the formulation and implementation of the strategic direction, business planning and development of the GSSU to ensure optimum services provision, incorporating the following responsibilities:

• Strategic planning: Setting of priorities and planning of work in line with overall corporate goals;
• Performance monitoring and management: To instill a performance management culture throughout the GSSU, including constantly evaluating services to clients with a view to improving delivery though innovation and deployment of best practices;
• Business improvement: To identify, plan and implement initiatives to take forward the development and improvement of the GSSU, including design and enforcement of workflows and Standard Operating Procedures for all areas of responsibility;
• Environmental scanning: to assist in the monitoring and analysis of the operating environment to ensure adequate agility, risk management and quick readjustment of the operations as needed;
• Business continuity and risk management: To assist in the implementation of business continuity and risk management systems,
• Create a climate for the effective development and engagement of staff.

4) Contributes to knowledge management and learning for staff as well as clients in areas related to services, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Knowledge building and sharing with regards to finance management synthesis of lessons learnt/best practices; and sound contribution to UNDP knowledge networks and communities of practice;
• Works with Finance Manager to design and implement information and training programmes – in collaboration with OFRM – for clients on existing policies, procedures and modalities to ensure that the staff of client offices understand the processes, the objectives and the target outcomes that accompany the conduct of the Unit’s assigned operational responsibilities. This includes identification of clients’ need of support, training and orientation in order to target these effectively.

Competencies

Core

Innovation

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Leadership

• Ability to persuade others to follow

People Management

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Communication

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Delivery

• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Technical/Functional

Building Partnership

• Identifying and building partnerships

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

• Developing tools and mechanisms

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• In-depth knowledge of own discipline

Promoting Organizational Change and Development

• Assisting the individuals to cope with change

Strategic Alignment of Management Practice

• Adapting best practice and building capacity

Design and Implementation of Management Systems

• Designing and implementing management system

Client Orientation

• Contributing to positive outcomes for the client

Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management

• Input to the development of standards and policies

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced (Masters) University Degree in Finance or Accounting, or a professional accounting qualification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy;
• Those with professional accounting qualifications from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage;
• The candidates will be required to undergo the UNDP Advanced Accountancy and Finance Test, based on the UNDP standing policy approved by OFRM.

Experience:

• 7 years of relevant experience in providing financial management services and/or managing staff and operational systems. 3 or more years of middle-level management responsibilities with similar experience and complexity;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages. Experience in handling of web-based management systems and ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft, and Client Relationship Management (CRM) applications;
• Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required for external candidates;
• Previous experience with UNDP preferred and good knowledge of UNDP rules and procedures is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and French or Spanish required.

Disclaimer

Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.

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.

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