Finance Expert

Contract

This is a UNV International Expert contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Expert contracts.

Since 2017, Cabo Delgado, one of the poorest provinces in Mozambique, has been facing an escalating conflict, compounded by a fragile situation of chronic underdevelopment, consecutive climatic shocks, and recurrent disease outbreaks. Violent attacks by Non-State Armed Groups (NSAGs) have escalated since 2020, heightening protection risks, especially for youth, women, and girls. NSAG activities and counter offensive operations have forced mass displacement in the Province and brought destruction and fear.

The Government of Mozambique has responded with military action and with the support of Foreign troops has reclaimed a number of areas which had been occupied by NSAGs. Areas which are now again brought under the control of recognized authority need to be provided with essential services and security to receive returning populations. Under these auspices, in July 2021, UNDP has initiated a stabilization programme to assist the Government of Mozambique in its efforts to re-establishing the authority and voluntary return to their areas of origin of the currently displaced populations. Activities under stabilization programme aim to rehabilitate public, security and social infrastructures damaged by conflict, boost socio-economic recovery, build resilience and social cohesion.

Securing and increasing law enforcement presence in the districts regained by the Government is fundamental in order to ensure the safety of returning communities and to (re)-establish the Rule of Law (RoL). Where NSAGs have attacked, police infrastructures and equipment have been looted, damaged, and destroyed, and as the police has directly engaged in hostilities, the loss of operational capacity and the human cost of the conflict have hindered the capacity of the police to maintain a presence and protect the population in conflict affected areas.

Within stabilization efforts, restoration of the state/civil authority, security rule of law, public services, and the social contract is a key process, to enable conditions for people to return to their places of origin voluntarily. UNDP will therefore support the government to build a renewed social contract, based on trust and community engagement to support sustainable peace. UNDP will address both the rule of law/security, and the basic/social essential services dimensions.

At present, UNDP seeks to recruit a Finance Expert to provide effective Financial management, Donor Reporting, and c coordination, design and management of all UNDP specific budget management activities relating to support financial management in the project where the Prodoc has been signed with an expected Budget of $66 million.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Operation Manager or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Finance Expert will:

1. Ensures administration and implementation of operational and financial management strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results: • Full compliance with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities; • Financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations; • Implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system; • Sub-Office Finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with office management; • Implementation of cost sharing and trust fund agreements; • Elaboration of conditions of contributions within the Sub-Office resource mobilization efforts.

2. Effective support for appropriate project Financial Management, focusing on: • Facilitate auditing and financial controls with respect to the Project; • Ensure that all procurement and disbursements are carried out in accordance with the UNDP rules and regulations; • Ensure that project-related disbursements are carried out in a timely and efficient manner; • Compile the quarterly and annual financial reports in a timely manner, with a focus on the financial delivery of the project; • Maintain a logical and comprehensive record of financial transactions, with supporting documentation, for reference and audit purposes; • Produce and update the inventory of equipment and furniture acquired with projects funds including goods in use outside the project premises. Ensure that the inventory is consistent with the related financial documents; • Prepare process for requisitions, POs and vouchers related to projects e.g. RPAs; • Support the Project Officer and Project Manager to compile M&E reports on delivery and resource allocation.

3. Provides support to implementation of the resource's mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results: • Drafting of cost sharing and trust fund agreements and obtaining of clearances from HQ if necessary; • Monitoring of cost-sharing contributions, preparation of AR pending items, application of deposits against prepared pending items; • Ensure accurate financial donor reporting quarterly and annually in a timely manner; • Track and reporting on mobilized resources by performing the following tasks if assigned to the S/M: Enter Agreement information into Contracts Module; o Attach copy of the signed agreement in Atlas; o Create Billing Plan in Contracts Module; o Create Revenue Plan and establish Milestones in Contracts Module; o Bill a donor through Contracts Module; o Maintain contributions/receivables documentation; o Apply cash receipt to the proper revenue source / fund or project; o Advice to Programme and Project Staff on different donor reporting requirement sect budgets monitoring of financial reports to be submitted to donors.

4. Provides support to the Sub-Office programme management and ensures the optimal cost recovery focusing on the achievement of the following results: • Development and follow up on Programme Portfolio Pipeline and Project Tree in Atlas; • Entry of data of new grants into Atlas in the form of Annual Work Plans (AWPs), monitoring of AWPs status; • Sending project budget to KK (if authorized and on the basis of signed project documents and project budgets).

Oversee Atlas matching, implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system, control mechanism for projects through monitoring budgets preparation and modifications, budgetary status versus ASL, follow up with HQs on ASL for development projects, maintenance of the General Ledger;  Provision of the information/reports on the situation in programme, identification of operational and financial problems, proposal of solutions;  Vendors approval (if authorized by SM);  Accuracy verification of Combined Delivery Reports and follow-up on their signing by National Counterparts;  Regular monitoring of the CO delivery ;  Provision of advice on reporting;  Preparation of reports including donor reports;  Verification and reconciliation of various expenditures reports from the CO, HQ and Executing Agencies;  Periodic monitoring of dashboards and exceptions, identification of the remedial actions in coordination with the supervisor;  Timely preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the services provided, implementation of the income tracking system and follow up on cost recovery;  Provision of researched information for the audit of NEX projects, implementation of audit recommendations;

5. Participates and provides support to the implementation of strategies related to RM and partnerships building focusing on achievement of the following results:  Assessment of Sub-Office opportunities for resource mobilization and identification and mapping of current and potential donors;  Analysis of key development and sectoral policies currently being discussed and implemented in the country and key donors willing to support these policies;  Drafting and revision of agreements with donors;  Identification of emerging sources of funding; assessment of their current usage and potential for the future;  Synthesis of proposals and inputs to the development and implementation of a donor intelligence strategy, RM strategy, Client Relationship Management strategy under the supervision of direct supervisor;  Inputs to and update of outreach/publicity material geared towards partners and donors;  Compliance with partner requirements, including systematized CO reporting to donors.

6. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, guidance to all stakeholders on financial matters focusing on the achievement of the following results:  Guidance to the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects, tracking use of financial resources;  Advice to Project staff on UNDP administrative and NEX reporting, in particular, on budgetary issues;  Organization of training for the operations/programme/projects staff on financial management and RBM;  Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in programme and project finance;  Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

 Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;  Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.  Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;  Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;  Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

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’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

national and/or international level in Finance/Accounting, Programme Finance Management, or other relevant programmes; experience with UNDP is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; Previous experience in Atlas/Quantum is an advantage;

Mozambique is a unique country and Pemba Sub-Office is a unique operation in the context of Stabilization. Since 2017, Cabo Delgado, one of the poorest provinces in Mozambique, has been facing an escalating conflict, compounded by a fragile situation of chronic underdevelopment, consecutive climatic shocks, and recurrent disease outbreaks. Violent attacks by Non-State Armed Groups (NSAGs) have escalated since 2020, heightening protection risks, especially for youth, women, and girls. NSAG activities and counter offensive operations have forced mass displacement in the Province and brought destruction and fear. The Government of Mozambique has responded with military action and with the support of foreign troops has reclaimed a number of areas which had been occupied by NSAGs. Areas which are now again brought under the control of recognized authority need to be provided with essential services and security to receive returning populations. Under these auspices, in July 2021, UNDP has initiated a stabilization program to assist the Government of Mozambique in its efforts to re-establishing the authority and presence of the State in the reclaimed areas, paving the way for a subsequent safe and voluntary return to their areas of origin of the currently displaced populations. Activities under Stabilization program aim to rehabilitate public, security and social infrastructures damaged by conflict, boost socio-economic recovery, build resilience and social cohesion. As part of the rehabilitation of public infrastructure and basic services, UNDP will also support the redeployment of civil servants. This support is designed to build the capacity of local government officials to address the many challenges associated with the return of displaced persons and to improve service delivery at the district level. This approach is guided by the idea that strengthening institutional capacity for inclusive and equitable delivery of essential services is an essential component of strengthening the trust and the social contract.