General

Description of assignment title: Project Finance Analyst

Assignment country: Somalia

Expected start date: 07/01/2022

Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No

Host entity: UNDP

Type: Onsite

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Mogadiscio

Details

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Somalia has been supporting the government’s efforts in effective implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP), which is aligned with the corporate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In support of development plans outlined in the NDP, UNDP in collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders including government, multilateral agencies, private sector and civil society has been developing and implementing projects in its main thematic areas of Economic Growth and Employment, Democratic Governance, Rule of Law and Security, Human Development and Economics. These projects contribute towards achieving the overall national goal of socioeconomic transformation for poverty reduction, economic revival and societal transfer in a socially just and gender equitable manner.

Context

The UNDP Somalia Rule of Law (ROL) Portfolio has a number of projects and programmes which work through a joint approach with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and the UN Country Team to strengthen collaboration, focus and coherence in the implementation of the Somalia Rule of Law Programme Priorities. The programmes include – Justice, Police, Security Sector Governance, Human Rights, Preventing and countering violent extremism and a project which promotes Goal 16 Peace and Security monitoring. The overall programme size is about USD 18 Million per year. The funding sources are multiple, including the MPTF and various bilateral sources.

Task description

Under the guidance of the Rule of Law Portfolio Manager and direct supervision of the Portfolio Management Specialist, the Project Finance Analyst is responsible for transparent utilization of financial resources and financial management (including financial reporting) of the Rule of Law and Security Portfolio. The Project Finance Analyst oversees all financial activities for the Rule of Law portfolio. S/he will ensure the compliance of UNDP and the Government’s processes and procedures for all finance related activities. He/she analyses and interprets the UNDP rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex issues related to financial management, and control compliance within the team with the UNDP regulatory environment. The Project Finance Analyst promotes a collaborative, client-oriented quality and results-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The Project Finance Analyst works in close collaboration with the operations teams (including administration, finance, procurement, and the Country Office Finance and Procurement Unit), in close coordination with the other staff in the programme and project teams and with UNDP HQs staff and Government officials. The projects are implemented through three payment modalities: direct implementation by UNDP and implementation through Letters of Agreement, where limited amounts of funds are transferred to the national partners as an advance and also direct payments are made to vendors. The number of individual financial transactions are large which requires a well-developed and rigorous control environment. All work will be undertaken in coordination with other Rule of Law team members as well as in coordination with relevant UNDP CO colleagues, and the government and other partners. The Project Finance Analyst will works closely with the and working closely with the national Project Finance Officer, and a team of project assistants. The detailed tasks include:

•  Ensure effective and accurate financial resources management aligned with Country Office and corporate finance policies and adapts processes and procedures for the Rule of Law and Security Portfolio focusing on achievement of the following results: -Financial analysis and oversight for all resources under the portfolio -Full compliance of financial activities, financial recording/ reporting system and audit follow up with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies -Successfully manages ROL financial support by provision of advice on strategies, policies and plans affecting ROL financial management based on business principles; -Proper planning, expenditures tracking and reporting of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations; -Proper management of the contributions management business process and accounting for contributions to ensure that the money due to the ROL Portfolio is properly identified, consistently and uniformly classified, recorded on a timely basis and received with sufficient supporting documentation; -Routinely monitors financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigates anomalies or unusual transactions. Informs supervisors and other UNDP staff of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained; -Ensures the financial integrity of the ROL Portfolio through appropriate controls and reporting structures; manages the ROL Portfolio audit exercise; follow up on necessary training and orientation; -All financial transactions are identified, recorded and verified in compliance with IPSAS as outlined in the corporate policies and procedures; -Elaboration 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 and other entitlements are duly processed, receipting of goods and services and establishment of accruals are properly done in compliance with IPSAS and UNDP policies and procedures.; -Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers. Timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues; -Control of the Accounts Receivables for projects in the UNDP ROL Portfolio and maintenance of the General Ledger; -Timely identification and recording of receipts for income application; -Prepare budgets and budget revisions as required and manage the project budgets on regular and timely basis. -Update and initiate processing of project financial entries in ATLAS; ensure transmission of project financial data for inclusion in ATLAS -Review of financial reports from partners and sub-contractors. -Preparation and or review and certification of non-PO vouchers in ATLAS. -Creation of requisition in ATLAS for project inputs, making budget checks on ATLAS for requisitions, POs and vouchers. -Maintenance of internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed transactions are correctly recorded and posted in ATLAS. -Reconcile the records of payments with activities and recommends new disbursements. -Provision of researched information, reports for audit exercises. -Proper control of supporting documents for UNDP payments. -Monthly Budget Vs Expenditure analysis and expenditures tracking in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations -Support to ROL team for NEX reporting requirements, and advances -Full compliance with UN/UNDP rules, and policies of financial activities recording/ reporting systems; follow-up on audit recommendations; implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing focusing on achievement of the following results: Organization of trainings for the government counter parts and project staff. -Synthesis of the lessons learnt and best practices in the project regarding financial management. -Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Ensure facilitation of gender mainstreaming, and knowledge building and sharing; -Organization of trainings for Partners and project staff on finance; -Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in finance; -Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. -Assesses the capacity of national counterparts, develop capacity building plans and implement them through mentoring, trainings and workshops. -Promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the Country Office.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 27 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

7 years of experience in

•  Experience at national or international level with working operational systems and establishing inter-relationships among international organization and national governments.
•  Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
•  Experience in handling of web based management systems and ERP systems e.g. use of PeopleSoft will be considered as an asset
•  Experience of accrual accounting, IPSAS or IFRS is highly desirable

Area(s) of expertise

Administration, Economics and finance, Development programmes

Driving license

–

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Desirable

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in Finance/ Accounting

Competencies and values

•  Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement;
•  Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular.
•  Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment.
•  Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
•  Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work;
•  Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups.
•  Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods;

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

Somalia is a non-family duty station and the UN Volunteer will be subject to the overall direction and guidance of the UN Designated Official (DO) for security. This is usually the Special Representative to the Secretary General (SRSG). The UN Volunteer will be incorporated into all applicable security protocols and will be required to strictly adhere to the guidelines, security plans and other directives issued by the DO. While in Somalia, the UN Volunteer will be accommodated at Thorn Tree Lodge, AMISOM protected area that has been cleared by UNDSS. Accommodation: Due to the security situation in the Somalia mission area and coupled with the fact that there is no living accommodation on the private market that meets minimum UN security and safety standards for UN personnel, expatriate personnel deployed to Mogadishu are provided secured UN accommodation in a camp-style environment, paid for by UNDP monthly. UN-provided accommodation is mainly equipped with minimum room furniture. Food and Diet: There is no access to local markets in Mogadishu. There is a UN Contractor-managed dining facility inside the Thorn Tree Lodge in Mogadishu, where food is provided.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy