Financial Management & Systems Specialist

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-10 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-10 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION AND ONLY AFGHAN NATIONALS OR THOSE WHO HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE AND WORK IN AFGHANISTAN ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

The Local Fund Agent (LFA) is a crucial part of the Global Fund's system of oversight and risk management. Its principal role is to provide informed and independent professional advice about the capacity of Principal Recipients (PR) to manage the implementation of activities funded under grants (including a PR’s capacity to oversee implementation of activities by Sub-recipients), to make recommendations concerning periodic disbursement of grant funds, to review grant performance when a grant is being considered for renewal, and to provide the Global Fund Secretariat on an ongoing basis with relevant information on issues or risks which might affect grant performance. The LFA is expected to have an up-to-date and comprehensive understanding of the diseases (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria), how they are prevented, transmitted and treated and their impact on the country. The LFA assesses the PR’s institutional and health/programmatic capacities and arrangements to ensure adequate health expertise (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and/or malaria) in the implementation of the Global Fund grants. The LFA also determines whether the PR has adequate infrastructure and information systems, including financial systems, to support grant implementation, including the monitoring of performance of Sub-recipients and outsourced entities in a timely and accountable manner.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UNOPS LFA Team Leader, the Financial Management & Systems Specialist will be based in Kabul, Afghanistan and is responsible for financial verifications and assessments within a portfolio of countries including Afghanistan, Iran and a regional multicountry grant. S/he helps ensure that all LFA work is of high quality and completed within the timeframe set by the Global Fund

1. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Under the overall supervision of LFA Team Leader (TL), the incumbent is required to perform the function of financial management specialist for the UNOPS LFA activities in Afghanistan, Iran and for the multi-country grant by carrying out the following activities:

• Review Disbursement Request/Financial Progress Updates and complete the LFA Progress Review and Recommendation for Ongoing Disbursement forms; Contribute to the pilot assignments related to new modalities for grant rating;

• Timely and relevant review and comments to the Global Fund on the PR’s completed Enhanced Financial Reporting format;

• Review various documents submitted by Principal Recipient and provide independent opinion/analysis of financial adequacy for GFATM grants including budgets, their revisions, Concept Notes, etc;

• Follow data verification procedures and formats, conduct field visits and using the format given by GFATM, provide independent opinion and analysis on the financial management by the PRs or their sub-recipients;

• Conducts any requested verification in view of programming of funds towards national covid-19 responses;

• Follow up on outstanding external audit issues or findings from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), grant requirements and management action;

• Identify financial weaknesses and make recommendations with timeframes for necessary follow up by the PR; follow up on PRs’ progress at the initiation of grants by contributing to Implementation readiness assessments;

• Suggest remedial measures on the potential weaknesses of the SR Management in the optimum utilization of GFATM grant money and safeguarding the GF grants against any fraud;

• Discuss with the Team Leader any other institutional and financial aspects to be reviewed and take action;

• Prepare mission reports on the format required by Global Fund and submit it to the TL;

• Other activities as per the LFA Manual and/or as assigned;

• Attend field visits and debrief the SRs/SSRs on the field visit outcomes within Afghanistan and countries under the portfolio, depending on the needs;

• Red-flagging for the Global Fund of any potential risk of misuse of the Global Fund Grants.

• Perform other related duties as required. The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

Impact of Results:

• Reports submitted by the LFA will comply with the deadlines and timescales agreed upon;
• Ad hoc queries by GFATM are promptly responded to;
• LFA clearly demonstrates an understanding of the terms of reference for each activity and GFATM requirements;
• Appropriate reporting template and tools are used by LFA;
• Analysis of data presented in LFA reports is of high quality;
• The conclusions reached in LFA reports are supported by accurate evidence gathered;
• LFA is pro-active in identifying and flagging to the GFATM Fund Portfolio Managers any major risks to effective management of program implementation and funds;
• LFA provides innovative analysis, information, advice, and suggestions for enhancing the quality of GFATM decisions, work processes, templates, tools etc.

Education

Master's degree in Accounting, Finance or related field. A Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related fields with an additonal experience of 2 years may be accepted in lieu of the master's degree.

An internationally recognized professional accounting qualification is highly desirable (CA/CMA/CPA/ACCA etc.), but not mandatory.

Experience

A minimum of five (5) years' relevant experience with a Master's degree or seven (7) years relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree is required.

Experience in: grants management, funds management, budget / budgeting, account reconciliation, cash management, financial management / financial analysis / financial reporting is required.

Ability to review and analyse financial statements (including income and expenditure statements, balance sheets and cash reconciliation statements) and critically assessing budgets and financial management systems is required.

Experience with: IPSAS, Asset Management, Planning and reviewing and Financial control is desirable.

Strong audit / financial and compliance or forensic auditing skills are desirable.

Previous LFA experience is an asset.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of Dari and Pashto is required.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization. Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others.Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) Contract level: Local Specialist ICA Level 10 Contract duration: Up to 31 December 2021 initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

• THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION AND ONLY AFGHAN NATIONALS OR THOSE WHO HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE AND WORK IN AFGHANISTAN ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.