Programme Finance Associate

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.

The Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU) is established in UNDP Nigeria Country Office to provide effective and efficient programme management advisory support services to senior management and to programme and operations Units. The PMSU acts as an oversight and quality assurance unit aiming to make the CO more accountable in terms of programme performance, management, monitoring and evaluation of results and programme financial resources.

The PMSU is responsible for developing and mainstreaming practical tools, frameworks, strategies, and approaches to promote effective and efficient programme/project planning, implementation, review, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. The Unit monitors and analyses the programme financial resources for effective planning and utilisation according to the CO’s overall programme focus and priorities.

The Unit plays a key role in ensuring the compliance of the CO with corporate policies, rules and regulations and the alignment of the Country Programme to the UNDP Strategic Plan, United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), and changes in policy introduced at the corporate level. These tasks will in turn, facilitate the office’s ability to respond to the quickly changing development needs and enhance donor/stakeholder engagement, while maintaining high standards of operation based on corporate policies and procedures in an accountable manner.

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative Programme and the direct supervision of the Head, Programme Management Support Unit, the Programme Finance associate is responsible for providing Result Based Management support to PMSU. The Programme Finance promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The Programme Finance associate works in close collaboration with the operations programme and programme teams in the CO and UNDP HQs staff for resolving programme-related issues and information delivery.

1. Ensuring sound planning and monitoring of financial resources of the UNDP Programme • Monitoring project’s financial performance and communicate to Programme Finance Analyst inconsistencies and discrepancies identified.

• In collaboration with Programme Finance Analyst support in preparation and coordination of HACT Assurance Activities to ensure full compliance of Nigeria CO with Harmonized Approach in Cash Transfers.

• Support Programme Finance Analyst in monitoring of Programme Delivery of the CO on the project level, including core and non-core funding. Monitor of disbursement ratio of the projects.

• Assist Programme Finance Analyst in monitoring application of revenue in coordination with relevant UNDP teams and ensuring programming of funds into relevant budgets.

• Supporting timely reporting to donors and collaborating with relevant project staff to prepare necessary reports.

• Provide support for event management and procurement-related tasks within the unit, as needed. • Assist Programme Finance Analyst in monitoring and supporting programme teams in timely project closures, fulfilling all requirements

2. Provide effective support to the Country Office Results Based Management ensuring quality assurance of programme/project operations and result. • Support programme/project management ensuring proper use of programme implementation modality. • Contribute to Country Office Annual Work Plan (AWP) and Integrated Work Plan (IWP), process, programme and strategic planning processes within the framework of Results Based Management platform, monitors the completion and maintenance of the Integrated Work Plan (IWP)

• Ensures that the programme/project management module on UNDP’s enterprise resource planning system are up to date.

3. Support the establishment and maintenance of strategic partnerships, and timely reporting. • Support the coordination of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society etc.

• Review Letters of Agreement (LoAs), Responsible Parties (RPA) and Low Value Grants (LVGs)

• In collaboration with the communications and programme teams, support the development and design of Programme/Project briefs, presentations, and donor events to enhance the visibility of donors and UNDP’s Programmes/Projects among its existing and potential partners.

4. Support facilitation of knowledge management and sharing in the Country Office around Results Based Management systems and tools

• Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on the units programming activities. • 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:

• Build relationships with a wide range of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to support and/or participate in community-driven voluntary activities; explore opportunities to empower civil society in order to enhance their participation in humanitarian planning and implementation, and make their voices heard at strategic level; • Encourage, mobilize and support co-workers and fellow UN Volunteers to better understand the connections between the UNV programme’s engagement within UNDP and voluntary action; • Contribute articles/write-ups/stories on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • 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.

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness; displays cultural sensitivity; shows strong corporate commitment; honest and complies with UNDP rules, regulations and code of conduct. • Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills. Ability to present coherent and convincing positions both in writing and orally. • Demonstrates high tolerance for change, complexity and unpredictability. Ability to work under pressure. • Strong inter-personal skills: ability to motivate and interact with colleagues at all levels within the organization as well as with inter-agency partners and host-country national counterparts. • Results-oriented: uses initiative to deliver required outputs and planned results in accordance with time and budget targets. • Problem analysis and decision-making: analyses reports systematically and efficiently. Problem-solving skills. Focuses on critical details while managing a broad perspective. Draws accurate conclusions and prepares effective summaries. • Encourages the use of new technologies and strives for high standard of professional work. • 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 Mission area and to transfer to other duty stations within the Mission area as necessary. • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance, and commitment towards UN Women’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Programme Finance and Administrative experience is required at the national or international level. • Strong skills in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required. Previous UNDP experience is an added advantage. • Experience in providing financial management, Resource Planning and Analysis, Quality assurance oversight and close monitoring of implementing partners. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulating, and reporting skills. • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. • Ability to manage multiple responsibilities at once, effectively perform multiple tasks, and prioritize the tasks. • Ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Abuja is housed by many expatriate and diplomatic communities. Cost of living in Abuja varies but could be termed as high considering the class of people residing in the capital city. Terrorism is the main threat in the Abuja. General crime is also prevalent. UN staff members are advised to stay only in UNDSS assessed hotels and residential areas. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

Nigeria is a unique country and Abuja is a unique humanitarian operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.