Job Vacancy at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Oversight and Compliance Specialist

Job ID: 34531

Practice Area - Job Family: Management

Vacancy End Date: (Midnight New York, USA) 20/04/2021

Duty Station: Freetown, Sierra Leone

Education & Work Experience: I-Master's Level Degree - 5 year(s) experience

Languages: English

Grade: P3

Vacancy Type: FTA International

Posting Type: Common System

Bureau: Africa

Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension

OPENED TO NON SIERRA LEONEAN CANDIDATES

Job Purpose/Background The change management of Sierra Leone Country Office has recommended positions been nationalized. After the delinking, the CO new structure brings one Deputy covering Programme and Operations. Key functions performed by IPs were filled as national positions. As the Country Office is transitioning in its change management, implementation capacities remain a huge challenge to deliver efficiently and effectively. Thus, to ensure proper resources and results management and preventative oversight, the UNDP Country Office approved to recruit a resident oversight and compliance specialist with programmatic and Operations profile under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative Operations and Programme/ in support of optimal results and resource management, transparency, accountability, client orientation. Thus, the Oversight and Compliance Specialist is very critical and is actually aimed at strategically managing and mitigating UNDP’ financial resources risk in a typical OAI high-risk rated office like UNDP Sierra Leon. The Compliance and Oversight Specialist will be responsible for supporting the DRR(P/O) and coordinating the overall work and day-to-day management of Programme and Operations in delivery the CO development results. The O/C Specialist will work closely with GSSU, the Regional Support Teams and the entire Bureau for effective coordination and timely compliance of cooperate policies by ensuring high quality assurance and oversight for programme and operations in delivering results as stipulated in the current Country Programme Document (CPD).

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Provides strategic advice, lead and coordinate annual IWP planning and ensure effective programme quality assurance, including sound planning and monitoring of programme financial resources throughout full cycle of programming from formulation, initiation, implementation to closing projects;
• Acts as the HACT focal point and coordinates HACT and NIM, DIM and CO Audit Exercises to ensure their effectiveness and Risk Management.
• Provides substantive catalytic support on programme strategic planning in relation to the current CPD and coordinate annual programme implementation exercise.
• Oversee the CO day-to-day Programme Implementation based on the Current CPD.
• Capacity building and Facilitation of knowledge sharing in the Country Office project and program staff and IPs/RPs

Strategic supports to Senior Management in strategic oversight, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations.

• Supports the development of systems to foster improvements in the application of internal control systems and in the maintenance of compliance standards in the CO.
• Works closely with the SM in the CO and actively fosters collaboration between the various CO units and the project teams, HQ staff and Government officials, ensuring a successful financial performance by providing programme resource analysis for effective planning of resources.
• Advises on implementation modalities based on UNDP rules and regulations.
• Advises project staff and implementing partners regarding control systems, assess their effectiveness and general operational compliance with UNDP rules, regulations and policies.
• In consultation with the Programme Managers and Cluster Team Leaders, assesses work processes and procedures to ensure that tasks are carried out with maximum efficiency.
• Provides regular monitoring of the CO delivery, TRAC and non-core resources allocation, revenue management and cost recovery.
• Ensures periodic monitoring of dashboards and exceptions, identification of remedial actions.
• Supports preparation and quality-assures legal documents, including LoAs, MoUs, MCGs and Cost Sharing Agreements based on UNDP rules and regulations.
• Ensures effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets, compliance with corporate requirements.
• Ensures monitoring of achievement of results including rigorous application of ATLAS applications.
• Ensures the sound management of financial, accounting and realization of the Programme outputs through activities, in compliance with UNDP financial rules and regulations as well as specific fund/donor requirements.
• Ensures the adherence to and implementation of the procurement plan in all its components, while ensuring efficient utilization of resources in accordance with UNDP rules and policies (in close coordination and partnership with the Procurement Section.

2)

Acts as the HACT focal point and coordinates HACT and NIM, DIM and CO Audit Exercises to ensure their effectiveness and Risk Management.

• In consultation with relevant programme and operations teams and under the oversight of the Senior Management, assesses risk areas and works with project staff to minimize risk exposure levels.
• Coordinates periodic HACT exercises and ensure that the CO is HACT compliant.
• Prepares annual audit plan for projects and coordinates with senior management and relevant teams and partners and Ips.
• Monitors the implementation of previous audit recommendations and advises the CO Management Team on status at its regular meetings activities.
• Participates in project’s audit, control and follow up.
• Coordinates the audit exercise among programme, project and operations staff and ensures compliance with audit quality standards and timeframes.
• Provides evaluation feedback into policy/programme/project design and ensure optimal use of evaluations by providing guidance in preparation of timely management response to all evaluations.
• Provides methodological support to various programme units during the formulation, approval and implementation of M&E procedures and instruments and select RBM tools, in particular related to monitoring.
• In collaboration with relevant programme and operations teams, carries out programme analysis, at outcome and sub outcome level, in order to capture lessons learned and ensure that risks are properly monitored and mitigated.
• In consultation with programme team, assess work processes and procedures to ensure that tasks are carried out with maximum efficiency
• Undertakes regular field visits to ensure compliance and timely execution of the planned monitoring & evaluation by various programme and project units
• Supports the actual conduct of evaluation of projects and programmes in collaboration with the DRR P/O and UNDP programme and in consultation with the Evaluation Office in HQ, including outcome level evaluations, aiming at measuring the impact of the CO programme.

• Manage the day-to-day work of the programme team, including advise to the finalizing programme team’s annual workplan, ensuring compliance with programme goals and results-based indicators.
• Review and provide feedback to ongoing projects/ programmes or related strategies and documents, workplans and related knowledge products and publications.
• Provide strategic and specialized technical advice on the development of systems, processes and mechanisms to support programme planning, implementation, monitoring and progress reporting.
• Review and evaluate proposals and oversee the preparation of donor proposals and reports.

• Analyse and ensure alignment of project budgets with logical framework matrices and work plans.
• Oversee programme quality control and identification of potential challenges.

4) Provides substantive catalytic support on programme strategic planning in relation to the current CPD,UNSDCF and coordinate activities in the annual programme planning exercise. Support the IWP & ROAR processes and other corporate planning and results reporting exercises.

• Supports Senior Management (SM) in business processes mapping and establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management and control of the workflows in the Programme Units.
• Strategically Contributes to regular assessments of the country strategic plans and implementation plans and identifies lessons learned and areas of emphasis to underpin consistently improved programming and future strategic plan development.
• Introduces innovation and best practices to enhance programme performance

5) Capacity building and Facilitation of knowledge sharing in the Country Office project and program staff and IPs/RPs:

• Provide training to new staff on Atlas and UNDP project implementation, including SOP’s for program and finance related matters.
• Provide training on project implementation to UNDP counter parts, in preparation of the switch from DIM to NIM.
• Prepare manuals for NIM/DIM implementation for project and counterparts.
• Advises projects and programs on UNDP project implementation from PSU perspective, including alternative delivery mechanisms to speed up delivery.
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in Programme Oversight and Finance management.
• Recognized contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice

Core Competencies

Innovation

• Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them

Leadership

• Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers

People Management

• Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others

Communication

• Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others

Technical/Functional Competencies

Audit

• Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Financial Reporting and Analysis

• Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Project Management

• Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Knowledge Management

• Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Operational Efficiency

• Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Risk Management

• Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Delivery

• Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Accounting/Finance, Auditing, Development Finance and planning, Economics or in a similar discipline.

Experience

• A Minimum of five (5) years professional experience in managing projects or programmes, including financial management (particularly developing and implementing financial control systems) and audit management within the private sector or International NGOs.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).
• Experience in international organization and familiarity with UNDP management system is highly desirable especially in HACT procedures and ATLAS functionality.
• Language Requirements
• Proficiency in English. Working knowledge of other UN language desirable.

Other:

• Excellent knowledge of project management, audit track, accounting and budgetary procedures and techniques, procurement of goods and services, stocks and assets control as per UN regulations and rules.
• Excellent knowledge of computer standard applications, information system analysis, database etc.
• Excellent knowledge of issues pertaining to multi-donors funding, related reporting systems, especially within the context of large fiduciary funds administered by the United nations or UNDP more specifically.
• Good knowledge and understanding of local working conditions in a Post Conflict situation.
• Ready to work under extremely hazardous conditions and in a stressful environment.
• Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks without compromising quality, team spirit and positive working relationships.
• Cultural sensitivity, inter-personal skills and ability to work smoothly under pressure.

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How to Apply

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

Application Deadline: 20th April, 2021.