Job Vacancies at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – 2 Positions

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is recruiting to fill the following positions:

1.) Administrative Associate
2.) Finance Associate

See job details and how to apply below.

1.) Administrative Associate

Location : Freetown, SIERRA LEONE

Application Deadline : 22-Dec-21

(Midnight New York, USA)

Type of Contract : FTA Local

Post Level : GS-6

Languages Required : English

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)

04-Jan-2022

Duration of Initial Contract : 1 year

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.

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

In Sierra Leone, UN Women is recognized in the country as an expert in advancing the implementation of gender related global norms and standards through strengthening the national gender machineries (working with the Ministry of Gender and Children's Affairs), the parliament, the justice mechanisms (the Judiciary, Ministry of Justice); the police, the military as well as with traditional leadership institutions.

Partnership with traditional leadership mechanisms particularly with all categories of the institution of chiefs and religious leaders has brought into focus the critical role in play in addressing harmful traditional practices to supporting the protection of the rights of women in a transformative gender perspective. UN Women's portfolio in Sierra Leone is inclusive of the following flagship programmes: Women's Leadership in governance and political participation; Ending Violence Against Women; Women in Peace, Security & Humanitarian Action; Women's Economic empowerment.

Reporting to the Country Representative, the Administrative Associate supports the Office Operations by performing a variety of standard administrative processes ensuring high quality and accuracy of work. The Administrative Associate promotes a client, quality and results-oriented approach. The Administrative Associate works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme and projects staff team to ensure consistent service delivery and to resolve complex administration related issues and information delivery.

Functions

•  Provide general administration and operations support to the Sierra Leone Country Office in compliance with UN Women rules, regulations, policies, and strategies
•  Organize shipments, customs clearance arrangements, and prepare documents for UN Women shipments (received/sent);
•  Arrange travel and hotel reservations, prepare travel authorizations, process requests for visas and Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA), identity cards and other documents;
•  Provide administration support to the Head Office's communication and agenda;
•  Write, maintain and organize meetings' reports and supporting documents;
•  Provide administrative support to conferences, workshops, retreats;
•  Provide administrative support to maintenance of premises and common services, as needed;
•  Maintain filing system ensuring safekeeping of confidential materials, as necessary.

2. Coordinate and organize assets management and procurement processes

•  Monitor and maintain office stationery supplies including maintenance of stock list of stationery, distribution of stationery and keeping a log of distribution;
•  Coordinate assets management in the office, prepare and submit periodic inventory reports, coordinate physical verification of inventory items;
•  Provide inputs to the preparation of procurement plans for the office and monitor their implementation;
•  Generate procurement related reports; research and draft responses to enquiries;
•  Review procurement requests and initiate procurement procedures for office and project equipment, supplies and services;
•  Organize procurement activities and processes, including preparation and conduct of Request for Quotations, Invitations to Bid or Requests for Proposals, the opening and evaluation of tenders;
•  Coordinate contract negotiations, prepare request for award of contract for the review and approval of relevant authorities, as required;
•  Prepare Purchase Orders (PO) and contracts in and outside Atlas, create vendor profiles in Atlas;
•  Review procurement processes conducted by projects; submissions to the Procurement Review Committee.

3. Coordinate and organize administrative Human Resources services

•  Create and upload vacancy announcements and organize interview panels;
•  Maintain staffing lists and reports;
•  Assume overall responsibility for attendance and leave management monitoring;
•  Provide support in personnel administration for international and national staff as appropriate (e.g. renewal of UNLPs, visas; extension of contracts, administration of national benefits and allowances; administration of home leave entitlements);
•  Prepare staffing/personnel related reports; research and draft responses to enquiries for clearance by the Operations Manager.

4. Provide administrative support to knowledge building and knowledge sharing

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•  Provide administrative support in the organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on administrative related matters;
•  Compile lessons learnt and best practices in administration, procurement, and human resources

Core Values:

•  Respect for Diversity
•  Integrity
•  Professionalism

Core Competencies:

•  Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
•  Accountability
•  Creative Problem Solving
•  Effective Communication
•  Inclusive Collaboration
•  Stakeholder Engagement
•  Leading by Example

Functional Competencies

•  Ability to administer and execute administrative processes and transactions;
•  Ability to perform work of confidential nature and handle a large volume of work;
•  Strong knowledge of administrative rules and regulations;
•  Strong IT and web based management skills;
•  Ability to extract and interpret data

Required Skills and Experience

Education and certification:

•  Completion of a 3-year university Degree is required;
•  Bachelor's degree in Business or Public Administration or related fields is an asset.

Experience:

•  At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in administration, procurement, HR, or logistic support service;
•  Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.);
•  Experience in the use of ATLAS is an asset.

IT skills required

•  Fully skilled in MS Office applications, especially MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Publisher

Language Requirements:

•  Fluency in English and at least one major Sierra Leonean Language is required
•  Knowledge of another UN official working language is an asset.

How to Apply

Qualified and interested individuals should click on the button below to apply.

2.) Finance Associate

Location : Freetown, SIERRA LEONE

Application Deadline : 22-Dec-21

(Midnight New York, USA)

Type of Contract : FTA Local

Post Level : GS-7

Languages Required : English

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)

04-Jan-2022

Duration of Initial Contract : 1 year

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons 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.

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Director of Financial Management in Headquarters (HQ) and the daily supervision of the Country Representative, the Finance Associate is responsible for the execution of a wide range of financial services and administrative processes in the Regional Office (RO), ensuring timeliness, efficiency and transparent use of financial resources and delivery of services in accordance with organizational financial rules, regulations, policies, procedures and approved allocations. The Finance Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UN Women rules and regulations, standard practices and guidelines.

The Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the Operations Team in the Regional Office as well as with the Operations and Programme teams in UN Women HQ for solving complex finance-related issues and information delivery.

1. Implement financial strategies, and adapt processes and procedures in full compliance of UN Women rules, regulations, policies, and recording and reporting systems

•  Perform duties in full compliance with UN Women financial regulations and rules, policies and standard operating procedures, including internal controls;
•  Keep abreast of and ensure full compliance with amendments to International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS);
•  Review and verify financial transactions, activities, and documentation; taking corrective actions as needed and reporting any unusual activities;
•  Monitor financial exceptions reports for unusual activities or transaction, investigate anomalies and report to the supervisor conclusions and/or present recommendations for actions/decisions;
•  Collect, verify and present information and data for use in the planning of financial resources and the formulation of the Regional Office (RO) programme work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements and execution modalities;
•  Provide assistance in Annual Work Plan entry in Results Management System (RMS) as required.
•  Provide advice and recommend solutions to a wide range of financial issues;
•  Monitor the proper functioning of the financial resources management system for office and programmatic budgets and resources;
•  Implement and monitor cost saving and reduction strategies;
•  Review with Budget owners and Project Managers, in line with Month-end Closure Checklist, the Project Delivery Status Reports and investigate any overspend;
•  Respond to instructions from the Deputy Director of Financial Management or Finance Section in relation to financial transactions. Undertake timely corrective actions as requested by Finance Section to resolve financial data issues or provide information;
•  Participate as a member of the Regional office team in the internal and external audits of the Regional Office or Country Offices in the region
•  Follow-up on audit recommendations to monitor implementation of corrective actions;
•  Actively promote a client-oriented finance service to Regional office and Country offices.

2. Prepare and administer the RO budgets in full compliance of UN Women rules, regulations, policies, and recording and reporting systems

• Formulate the budget, control allotments, monitor expenditures, and prepare revisions according to the needs of the RO;
•  Track the appropriate and timely use of financial resources;
•  Prepare cost recovery documents or bills for the services provided by UN Women to other programmes or organizations;
•  Create projects in Atlas, prepare budget revisions, revise project awards and status; and determine unutilized funds
•  Ensure the maintenance of the control mechanism for development projects through monitoring budgets preparation and modifications and budgetary status;
•  Maintain internal expenditure control system;
•  Undertake corrective actions on un-posted vouchers, including vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions and unapproved vouchers. Frequently review and investigate payment vouchers which are in error; and respond to RO requests to resolve financial data issues;
•  Prepare VAT reimbursements with adequate documentation support, as necessary;
•  Input data in Atlas and monitor status. Keep stakeholders and clients informed for timely action and/or decisions;
•  Manage petty cash fund;
•  Assist Project Managers with budget re-phrasal as required.

3. Provide finance support to the Programme and Operations teams

•  Review accounts receivables for UN Women projects and follow-up with project managers and finance section at regional office and/or headquarters on contributions, deposits creation in Atlas and their application to AR pending items;
•  Prepare PO and non-PO vouchers for development projects;
•  Prepare General Ledger journal entries (GLJEs) from proper supporting documents authorized by the budget owners and project managers;
•  Review transactions in Atlas, ensure payroll, travel claims, MPOs, and other entitlements are processed;
•  Monitor the setup of budgets in ATLAS to ensure they are in accordance with budgets agreed with donors and are input into ATLAS at the detailed Activity ID level;
•  Monitor each month over-expenditure of budgets and follow up with Budget Owner;
•  Monitor regularly transactions posted to projects ensuring actual expenditure has been recorded against correct budget category and activity, take timely corrective actions as required;
•  Maintain proper follow up of advances to implementing partners, review their financial reports together with project managers;
•  Monitor the financial status and under the guidance of the RO Finance Specialist implement control mechanisms for management/development projects;
•  Monitor and proper follow up of all the financial items in Month-end and Year-end closure instructions status and under the guidance of the Operations Manager, take correction actions as required;
•  Keep stakeholders and clients informed for timely actions/decisions and review status reports for quality control;
•  Provide information inputs to financial reports for Regional Office, HQ Finance and stakeholders;

• Finalize mandated financial reports to donors and other clients and stakeholders; c1T5cXM DmltGB
•  Associate revenue and expenditure in commitment control for non-core projects.
•  Provide inputs and take necessary actions to facilitate timely financial project closure;
•  Support financial donor reporting by providing timely information and taking necessary actions as required by UN Women Virtual Global Service Centre for financial donor reporting.
•  Assist with preparation for Audit of Projects and Partners by third party audit firm. Follow-up and/or act on audit recommendations to ensure implementation of corrective actions. Assist in reviewing the audit reports on NGO executed projects.

4. Provide administrative support to Resource Mobilization

•  Compile and process information from donors, CO, and programme team, as inputs to various databases and documents.
•  Prepare drafts for cost sharing agreements including conditions of contributions within resource mobilization efforts, adhering to standard agreements where possible. Follow up on contributions within the CO resource mobilization efforts

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5. Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing

•  Conduct training and/or helping organize training events and activities;
•  Collect and compile lessons learned and best practices in financial management and services. Disseminate to clients and stakeholders as appropriate to build capacity and knowledge;
•  Contribute to financial business operational practices and management innovations.
•  Supervise and guide staff and personnel under responsibility, as applicable, provide technical guidance and monitor performance to ensure delivery of results according to plans and standards of accountability and performance;
•  Undertake all trainings in relation to financial management provided, including webinars from headquarters.

Key performance indicators:

•  Timely, complete and accurate financial transactions/activities/documentation
•  Timely and accurate advice on UN Women financial rules and regulations
•  Timely and regular monitoring of financial resources management system and timely expenditure of financial resources
•  Timely and accurate support to budget formulation and controlling allotments
•  Timely and accurate monitoring of internal expenditures control systems
•  Timely and quality financial support to programmes and programme team

Competencies

Core Values:

•  Respect for Diversity
•  Integrity
•  Professionalism

Core Competencies:

•  Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
•  Accountability
•  Creative Problem Solving
•  Effective Communication
•  Inclusive Collaboration
•  Stakeholder Engagement
•  Leading by Example

•  Excellent knowledge of financial rules and regulations and accounting principles;
•  Excellent knowledge and application skills of IT tools and understanding of management systems;
•  Excellent knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages;
•  Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems;
•  Ability to administer and execute financial and accounting processes and transactions

Required Skills and Experience

Education and certification:

•  Completion of secondary education is required.
•  Specialized national or international certification in accounting and finance is an asset
•  Bachelor's degree in Finance or Accounting is an asset
•  Successful completion of UN Women Accounting and Finance Test is required.

Experience:

•  At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in finance;
•  Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.
•  Experience in the use of PeopleSoft ATLAS is an asset.

Language Requirements:

•  Fluency in English and French is required
•  Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset.

How to Apply

Qualified and interested individuals should click on the button below to apply.