Programme Finance Analyst at UN Capital Development Fund

Position Number: 00135948

Reports to: Chief Technical Advisor (CTA)- UNCDF

Position type: Fixed-term Appointment FTA

Funded by: LIFT Somalia project resources

Duration: One year

Grade: NOB

Approved Grade:

Position Classified by:

Classification Approved by:

Organizational Context

The UN Joint Programme on Local Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery in Somalia (UN JPLG) is a five-year joint programme comprising of ILO, UNCDF, UNDP, UN-HABITAT and UNICEF. Local Investments for Transformation (LIFT) in Somalia project is aligned with JPLG in programming, objectives and focus areas, specifically supporting UNCDF interventions that complement JPLG.

The Programme’s overall goal is “creating an enabling environment for improved service delivery and greater stability, through improved legal, policy and system frameworks – building the knowledge of those working in and with local governments.” JPLG commenced in April 2008 and has now entered its third phase (2018-2023). It expanded geographically with average annual work-plans and budgets of USD 25 - 32M / year. JPLG works with the Federal Government of Somalia, the Governments of Puntland, Somaliland, South West, Jubbaland, HirShabelle, Galmudug, local governments, communities and non-state actors.

Under the JPLG/LIFT projects, UNCDF among others is specifically responsible for providing technical assistance fiscal decentralization, local revenue mobilization and implementation of a discretionary Local Development Fund(LDF) modality for enhancing locally prioritized service delivery and enhancing capacities for sub-national Public Financial Management (PFM)

UNCDF supports the review and development of policy, legal and regulatory frameworks for fiscal decentralization and local revenue mobilization including innovative approaches for resource mobilization that leverage the private sector, diaspora and financial institutions. UNCDF also focuses on drafting proposals for upgrading the Inter-Governmental Fiscal Transfer(IGFT) systems in Puntland and Somaliland and preparing the design for a state-level IGFT system for the new Federal Member States(FMS). In coordination with Somali government counterparts, UNCDF will also support design and establishment of Local Government Finance Commissions in Puntland and Somaliland; drafting and validating of financing strategies and a dedicated financing vehicle for Mogadishu; development of Capital Investment Plans (CIP) and LG Financing Strategies; and research on a mobile platform for diaspora funds mobilization.

Within this context, UNCDF seeks to hire a Programme Finance Analyst, (NOB) who will report to UNCDF Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), also based in Nairobi, Kenya. The Programme Finance Analyst is responsible for ensuring effective programme and financial management of UNCDF and for supporting the planning, budgeting, reporting on and monitoring of the UNCDF programme activities.

The incumbent will also lead the administration functions. The Programme Finance Analyst will also support the CTA, and work very closely with the Programme and finance staff based in Somalia field locations, to manage the monitoring of programme activities as well as financial reporting to the donors and HQ. The incumbent is expected to work with minimum supervision and able to carry out delegated donor liaison roles, including support to resource mobilization on a autonomous basis.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of key functions:

Support programme planning, implementation and monitoring
Ensure effective UNCDF financial management and management of partners / donors’ agreements.

Effective management of Grants, Pre-Payments and financial reporting cycles, related to UNCDF’s management of the Local Development Fund; Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Ensure implementation of operational strategies, adapts processes and procedures for knowledge management and reporting.
Liaison with donors and UNCDF program counterparts

• Support programme planning, implementation and monitoring:
  • Support UNCDF in the monitoring of the annual work plans, within the overall goals and objectives set out in the programme documents
  • Support programme management through initiating and reviewing of the various narrative and financial reports.
  • Support the monitoring and evaluation of activities as well as tracking progress on the various action plans
  • Provide input into planning and developing of innovative initiatives for the programme.
  • Monitor the execution of donor agreements and guide partner agencies on implementation timeframes and budgets.
  • Support the overall management and supervision of programme
• Ensure effective UNCDF Programme Financial and Administrative management :
  • Prepare programme budget estimates and strategic budgets on an annual and bi-annual basis or as required in conjunction with the programme technical team, with attention to the specific requirements of various donors and government partners.
  • Regular monitoring of expenses and submission of financial reports to programme management and to donors as per the schedules.
  • Provide financial analysis of the programme budgets and expenses.
  • Monitor programme budget implementation and ensure that expenditures are within the approved budget allotments and in conformity with UN financial rules, regulations and procedures.
  • Provide guidance to UNCDF’s programme assistants and finance staff on financial and budget related issues, in the preparation of IPSAS compliant reports and build their capacity for effective management of all funds.
  • Review and ensure that effective financial controls are in place and are being implemented.
  • Draft all financial management related correspondence for the programme
  • Update and track the programme delivery rate periodically and on request
  • Provide inputs for UNCDF budgets and manage receivables and expenditures
  • Harmonise partner agencies financial and other reports with donor reporting requirements
  • Effective administrative support to UNCDF’s contribution to the JPLG.
  • Coordinate UNCDF’s administrative functions (logistics, correspondence, knowledge management) and assist the CTA and overall UNCDF team on such matters.
• Supports the effective management of Grants, Pre-Payments and Financial Reporting cycles related to UNCDF’s management of the Local Development Fund, focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Proper control of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports for UNCDF / JPLG; preparation of all types of vouchers for development and management projects and on-behalf of client agencies; PO vouchers; and follow-up for payment execution.
  • Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas; travel claims, MPOs and other entitlements are duly processed.
    Timely corrective actions on un-posted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.
  • Set up a system which allows for the overall tracking of local governance expenditures against the agreed to budgets and work plans for the local governance project, using the Atlas codes.
  • Undertake analysis of expenditure reports and alert the UNCDF CTA to factors such as slow or rapid disbursements against the work plans.
• Ensures implementation of operational strategies, adapts processes and procedures and knowledge management:
  • Supports the strengthening of the internal controls over all financial processes, in compliance with corporate requirements.
  • Identification of programme implementation and operational challenges and recommend solutions to address them
  • Contributes towards UNCDF’s knowledge products based on lessons learnt, experiences and other available relevant information.
  • Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice

Impact of Results

• The key results have an impact on the overall efficiency, and effectiveness of the programme operations as it relates to the use of corporate resources in the following areas:
• Effective implementation of programme activities under UNCDF
• Effective management of the programme, programme budget(s) and expenditure;
• Efficient and accurate financial reporting;
• Accurate and timely follow-up and support for reporting obligations of UNCDF.

Competencies

Detailed list of competencies can be accessed through https://intranet.undp.org/unit/ohr/competency-framework/SitePages/Home.aspx and hiring managers are encouraged to familiarize themselves for more information

Core Competencies

• Innovation
  • Ability to make new and useful ideas work
• Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully
• Leadership
  • Ability to persuade others to follow
• Level 4: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others
• People Management
  • Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
• Level 4: Models independent thinking and action
• Communication
  • Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
• Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis
• Delivery
  • Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
• Level 4: Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services

Functional/Technical Competencies

• Knowledge Management and Learning
• Shares knowledge and experience
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
• Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
• Development and Operational Effectiveness
• Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of programme, managing data, reporting.
• Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems.
• Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise
• Self-Management
• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Remains calm, in control even under pressure
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

Required Skills and Experience:

A Master ’s Degree in Finance / Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Public Administration, Operations, Social Sciences or any other related field, or a bachelor’s degree with 2 additional years of relevant work experience as outlined below.

Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of cumulative professional work experience in the area of programme, operations and financial administration / management, with Master’s Degree, (3) years’ with specialized license in the relevant area and (4) years’ with Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.
• Previous work experience in an international, multilateral or civil society organization, preferably in a multi-cultural setting.
• Substantive programme finance management experience with a UN Organization is considered a distinct advantage.
• In-depth knowledge of programming and reporting aspects of Local Development Fund modality and related capacity development aspects is a requirement
• Hands on experience with ATLAS and IPSAS is a requirement
• In-depth knowledge of UN policies, Joint Programmes in Somalia is considered a strong asset.
• Understanding of programming aspects fiscal decentralization interventions and related local0 revenue mobilization aspects
• Hands on experience with capacity development, organizational development and advisory work
• Experience in Resource Mobilization (RM) & Partnerships is an advantage
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), knowledge of spread sheet and database packages, and experience in handling of web-based management systems.
• Work experience in the UN Grants management, accountability and reporting in the UN system is a requirement.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English.