Finance Officer

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.

UNDP has been in Nigeria since the country became independent in 1960 providing capacity building and policy development support to the Federal Government of Nigeria in areas of Governance & Peace Building, Inclusive growth and Sustainable Development. The United Nations is leading efforts by humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding partners, delivering urgent aid and building resilience among vulnerable people over the longer term.

The nexus of security-humanitarian-development issues around Lake Chad has given rise to an intractable extremist insurgency that has left tens of thousands of people dead, approximately 2.5 million displaced, and more than 10 million people in the region affected and in need. While robust national and multinational military operations have re-taken territory previously controlled by Boko Haram, UNDP recognizes that a new approach is required to consolidate these gains and establish the conditions necessary to transition from military to civilian responsibility for security, and from the provision of humanitarian assistance to the resumption of stalled development processes. In response to the above challenges, UNDP developed a new initiative, establishing the Lake Chad Basin (LCB) Stabilization Facility, supporting the four Lake Chad Basin countries (i.e., Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Chad) as well as LCB regional institutions, such as the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC).

The Stabilisation Facility is a rapid-response package, aiming to achieve the immediate stabilisation of specific target areas of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States, cleared of Boko Haram and other armed group control, but where communities remain vulnerable to continued infiltration and attack. The first phase seeks to model a stabilisation methodology based on delivery of three outputs:

1) Community Safety and Security Improved.

2) Essential infrastructure and basic services functioning, and

3) Livelihood opportunities available for all households.

The stabilisation facility will be implemented according to a strategy that recognises the need to “win the peace”, promoting Government efforts to renew the social contract, engaging communities themselves in the design and implementation of the intervention, and strengthening capacities and accountability for human rights compliance.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Finance Analyst or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Finance Officer will:

Summary of Key Functions • Implement financial strategies, adapt processes and procedures in full compliance of UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and recording and reporting systems. • Prepare and administer CO budgets in full compliance of UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and recording and reporting systems. • Provide finance support to the Programme team. • Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Implement financial strategies, adapt processes and procedures in full compliance of UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and recording and reporting systems • Review and verify financial transactions, activities, and documentation; • Provide advice and recommend solutions to a wide range of financial issues; • Monitor the proper functioning of the financial resources management system; • Implement cost saving and reduction strategies; • Monitor financial exceptions report for unusual activities or transaction, investigate anomalies and report to the supervisor conclusions and/or present recommendations for actions/decisions; • Follow-up on audit recommendations to monitor implementation of corrective actions; • Supervise staff and personnel under his/her responsibility, as applicable.

Prepare and administer CO budgets in full compliance of UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and recording and reporting systems • Formulate the budget, control allotments, monitor expenditures, and prepare revisions according to the needs of the CO; • Input data in Atlas for new grants in the form of Annual Work Plans (AWPs) and monitor status. Keep stakeholders and clients informed for timely action and/or decisions; • Keep track of the appropriate and timely use of financial resources; • Verify accuracy of Combined/Programme Delivery Reports and UNDP Financial Reports as applicable. Take appropriate action to ensure accuracy of information; • Help implement control mechanism for development projects through monitoring budgets preparation and modifications and budgetary status; • Manage petty cash fund, cash imprest level and other temporary GL accounts; • Undertake corrective actions on un-posted vouchers, including vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions and unapproved vouchers. Timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues;

Provide finance support to the Programme team • Collect, verify and present information and data for use in the planning of financial resources and the formulation of country program work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements and execution modalities; • Monitor the financial status and under the guidance of the Service Centre Manager implement control mechanisms for management/development projects; • Keep stakeholders and clients informed for timely actions/decisions and review status reports for quality control; • Provide information to the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects; • Prepare accurate and timely mandated financial reports to donors and other clients and stakeholders; • Prepare PO and non-PO vouchers for development projects; • Record and post transactions in Atlas, travel claims, and other entitlements; • Monitor proper follow up of advances to implementing partners, review their financial reports together with project managers; • Associate revenue and expenditure in commitment control for non-core projects

Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing • Contribute to training initiatives on financial processes by conducting training and/or helping organize training events and activities; • Collect and compile lessons learned and best practices in financial management and services. Disseminate to clients and stakeholders as appropriate to build capacity and knowledge; • Contribute to financial business operational practices and management innovations.

Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Adaptability and Flexibility Commitment to Continuous Learning Communication Integrity Planning and Organizing Respect for Diversity Working in Teams

Handling web-based management system and ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft. • IPSAS and/or IFRS is desirable; • Drafting, formulation and reporting • Document production and editing; • Working inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Working in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.