Finance Assistant

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

In Zimbabwe, UNDP is the interim Principal Recipient (PR) for the HIV grant and is also providing Support Services (Fund Administration (FA) Support Services) to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) as the continuing PR for the tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria grants. UNDP-GF partnership under the 2021-2023 allocation aims to contribute towards the achievement of the vision and goals of Zimbabwe National HIV Strategic Plan, 2021-2025. For effective implementation of the Global Fund resources, UNDP Zimbabwe has established a Program Management Unit (PMU), which is under the overall guidance of the Country Office senior management is responsible for the day-to-day overall programme management, risk management, policy guidance, financial accountability, procurement of goods, including health products and services, strengthening of the national pharmaceutical and laboratory supply chain systems, including the Solar for Health (S4H) initiative and monitoring and evaluation. The GF grant is implemented in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, the grant confirmation, corporate agreements with the GF and in close coordination with the national partners, including the National AIDS Commission (NAC), MoHCC, national disease programmes, NatPharm, NGOs, CSOs, communities, technical partners, UN entities and the Global Fund (Local Fund Agent) and Country Coordinating Mechanism. In order to provide strategic planning, programmatic and operational management, and oversight to the GF portfolio to achieve the defined programme goals, targets and effective delivery, a dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) has been established.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Finance Specialist, the Finance Assistant is responsible for effective delivery of financial services, transparent utilization of financial resources and management of projects finances for support services role for the TB and Malaria grants with the MoHCC as the Principal Recipient. This will be done in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, the grant and fund administrator agreements, and corporate agreements with the GF, and working in partnership with national stakeholders, Sub-recipients (SRs) and Sub-sub-Recipients (SSRs) and close coordination with the GF (including Local Fund Agent), CCM technical partners and UN entities, the GF/HIST. The Finance Assistant will promote a collaborative, client-oriented approach, ensuring close collaboration with the TB and Malaria grants operations, programme in the Country Office and other UNDP units for resolving complex finance-related issues and information delivery.

• Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the Finance Analyst, and overall supervision of the Finance Specialist. The UNV Finance Assistant will perform any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. • Ensures implementation of operational and financial management strategies focusing on achievement of the following results: • Full compliance with UNDP rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system; implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system. • Full compliance with Global Fund’s rules, regulations and policies for financial management and reporting. • Conduct quarterly spot checks at the offices of the MoHCC, the Principal Recipient (PR) for Malaria and TB grants to review internal controls, financial records and reports and issue management letters detailing the findings and recommendations. • Contribute to the preparation of the quarterly reports to the Global Fund and the PR as per the Fund Administrator Agreement. • Facilitate audits by the Office of Audit and Investigations and audits of MoHCC in a timely and effective manner and to ensure audit findings and recommendations are properly addressed and documented for management and reflected in the implementation arrangements; and • Provide support in responding to inquiries on financial-related matters from the MoHCC, the Global Fund, and the Local Fund Agent.

• Ensures the management of Programme budgets and functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results: • Prepare and monitor projects’ budgets in Atlas and ensure that the budget in Hyperion Planning and Budgeting Cloud System is in line with the approved detailed budget. • Provide MOHCC with financial information required for the completion of the Progress Update and Disbursement Request (PUDR), Cash Flow Forecasts, financial status, and other ad hoc financial reports for submission to the Global Fund. • Monitoring of budgets and reporting on the budget utilization. • Timely review of cash position for MOHCC to ensure sufficient funds for their implementation and appropriate disbursements. • Timely review commitment control in Atlas to monitor budget availability (PAR) and cash available (AX1) in Atlas; and • Monitoring and ensuring that contributions from the Global Fund are transferred to UNDP and applied in Atlas on a timely basis. Prepare budget revisions, as required, and maintain updated the projects information in ATLAS • Analyze and provide reasons for the budget variances between the actual and budgeted expenditures. • Ensures proper control of the Programme’s accounts focusing on achievement of the following results: • Preparation of all types of vouchers for GF related projects and PO vouchers for GF programme along with supporting documents. • Proper control of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports for GF. • Analysis and elaboration of proposals for 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 and receipting of goods and services and establishment of accruals are properly done in compliance with IPSAS and UNDP policies and procedures; and • Timely take 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. • Supports capacity building and knowledge sharing knowledge sharing for MOHCC on financial matters focusing on achievement of the following results: • Capacity building of Malaria and TB PR on overall financial management. • Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in finance and share corporately and with Malaria and TB PR; and • Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

• 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; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviours 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; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • 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; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • 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; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; 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; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDP mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

• Those with a professional accounting qualification certificate from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area. • Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required. • Strong knowledge of UN or UNDP financial rules, policies, and procedures, is an asset. • Strong knowledge of Global Fund’s financial policies and procedures is an asset. • Fluency in English with good verbal and written stills. • Staff will be expected to travel from time to time as required.

Zimbabwe is in Southern Africa and has three seasons, cool and dry from May-Aug, hot and dry from Sep-Nov, warm and wet from Dec-Apr. The capital Harare lies at an altitude of 1450m above sea level. The middle plateau is Malaria free and prophylaxis is highly recommended in low lying and hot areas. The currency in use is local Zimbabwean dollar and all basic food and accessories are available. There are public and private health facilities as well as many social amenities available in Harare.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.