Programme Management Advisor (Finance and Risk)

Contract

This is a IICA-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development. UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

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.

Background Information – Asia Regional Health Cluster

The Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC) was established in 2018 for efficient delivery of grants and fund management, and the provision of quality pharmaceuticals and health products. The ARHC aims to significantly impact the targets of UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health and well-being, by expanding the population benefitting from UNOPS-managed health-related engagements across the Asia Region.

The ARHC portfolio manages the Principal Recipient (PR) Programme of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) in Asia. The Global Fund, which has been providing financial support to the Greater Mekong Sub-region for malaria programs since 2003, has selected UNOPS as a PR, responsible for delivering the targets set out in the grant agreements in collaboration with selected sub-recipients from the National Programmes, local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and UN agencies.

Background Information - Job-specific

The Principle Recipient programme (PR) under the UNOPS Asia and Pacific Regional Office has been established to support, develop and oversee UNOPS’ programmes implemented with Global Fund financing in the Region to ensure that synergies between different programme components are effectively developed.

The PR’s Cambodia team works in close cooperation with all PR teams in the Region, managing all grants in a coordinated fashion, including country grants for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria as well as Regional Principal Recipients of GFATM regional grants for Greater Mekong sub-region (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam).

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Coordinator, the Programme Management Advisor (Finance and Risk) is responsible for timely and efficient delivery of programme support and financial services in accordance with an agreed work plan approved by the Senior Programme Coordinator.

The Programme Management Advisor (Finance and Risk) will also work closely with the regional ARHC-PSU team to promote a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations. In consequence, the Head of Programme Management Office (PMO) based in Bangkok will be the technical reference and secondary supervisor. The PMO (Finance and Risk) shall focus on the following results outlined below:

a. Timely and efficient delivery of programme support and financial services of the GFATM grants: - Provide high-quality professional advice to the Sr. Programme Coordinator; - Lead and supervise the Programme Support Unit and in close collaboration with the Head of Programme and provide the required strategic technical support work to the grant managed by UNOPS PR in Cambodia; - Manage the Programme Support Unit team ensuring that appropriate operational standards and systems are put in place and maintained - Act as OIC for the PR Sr. Coordinator as an alternate member of the UNOPS Cambodia Senior Management Team (SMT), supporting pro-active preparation and implementation of the strategic plans and other management initiatives; - Coordinate with the Global Fund, national and international stakeholders in the GFATM grant; - Develop SOPs, manuals, plans, budgets, reporting template and all necessary programme support devices and toolsets as may be required for GFATM grants implementation; - Manage all operational agreements with implementing partners, including their amendments and legal negotiations in close collaboration with PSM ensuring appropriate processing of UNOPS internal processes related to necessary awards and approvals from relevant UNOPS authorities; - Ensure that activities for ongoing grants are monitored, analysed and reported on a timely basis, lead the preparation and timely submission of reports to the GFATM; - Proper planning, expenditure tracking and audit of financial resources for the GFATM grants, in accordance with UNOPS financial rules and regulations, organizational directives and administrative instructions; - Identification of problems in the programme’s financial and administrative areas, suggesting alternative solutions to resolve issues in compliance with broader UNOPS policies, rules and procedures; - Capacity building of Sub- Recipients (SRs in the area of budgeting, reporting and finance management in general; - Contracting independent agents to undertake specific tasks including, where appropriate, procurement, studies, audit and monitoring.

b. Implementation of operational strategies and procedures for the GFATM grants: - Full compliance of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and audit follow up within UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies; implementation of effective internal control, proper design and functioning of the financial resources management system for the GFATM grants; - Ensuring full compliance with Global Fund policies; - Elaboration/establishment of internal standard operating procedures and control of the workflows in the Finance Unit for the GFATM grants; - Elaboration and implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies; - Up-to-date on policy developments on UNOPS financial management issues.

c. Timely budget preparation and effective monitoring, reporting and control: - Coordination of the preparation of all Global Fund projects budget; review of budget submissions, regular analysis and reporting on the budget approvals and the delivery situation; monitoring of expenditures against approved budgets and reporting on variances; - Review, analyse and revise data with respect to the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements submitted by the programme team, procurement team and the Support Services team covering GFATM grants; and - Timely financial reports for submission to the Global Fund and other stakeholders in accordance with UNOPS rules, and in line with the established procedures.

d. Cash management and treasury functions for GFATM grants: - Timely review of cash position for GFATM grants within the UNOPS Cambodia Office, to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements; identification and recording of receipts for income application; submission of the quarterly cash request to the Regional ARHC PSU. - Proper control of the supporting documents for payments; review, modification, initiation and implementation of internal control procedures in coordination with Support Services team; - Ensure quality control of expenditures under the GFATM grants by performing ongoing review, analysis and reconciliation of accounts. Investigation of discrepancies and initiation of timely corrective actions.

e. Overall Risk Management and Compliance and Capacity building for National and Sub National Level - Ensure effective internal controls are in place for the preventive measures and quality actions are taken on the recommendations after verification exercises and actively follow-up of GF recommended management actions. - Recommend improvement for effective internal control mechanisms to ensure adherence to the Finance Manual, Program Management Guidelines (PMG)/Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Undertaking assessments of financial systems, risks and performance of SRs by carrying out analytical work and assisting with capacity building and providing support on all aspects of financial management including relevance project management.
• Take initiative to identify weaknesses, challenges, legitimate solutions to simplify the process, design financial control tools, provide feedback, share best practice in accounting, financial management/reporting through ongoing capacity building exercises to the SRs.
• Oversight on expenditure of national program (CNM) and SRs/SSRs to ensure that they are in accordance with the approved budget and work plan and in full compliance with the SOPs and Finance Manual.
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices and sharing with National and Sub National Level

f. Other duties as assigned by the Sr. Programme Coordinator. g. Acting as Officer-In-Charge for the PR Sr. Programme Coordinator as 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.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) 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. For people managers only: 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.

Education

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or related field is required.
• A bachelor degree with 2 additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent is highly desirable.

Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible financial management and/or financial operation experience with responsibility for complex project/programme accounting and preparation of financial statements, audit, risk and compliance, budget management and reporting is required.
• Experience in managing finance functions, Finance units, and a large number of personnel is a distinctive asset.
• Proven experience in a wide-spectrum of operations-oriented financial management, including financial forecasting for project acquisition, budgeting, and project monitoring is strongly desirable.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills is desirable.
• Good knowledge of donor organizations and experience in working with NGOs and civil society is desirable.
• Previous experience with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis is an asset.
• Sound knowledge of UN/UNOPS Financial regulations and rules is desirable.
• Experience working and coordinating with donors is an asset.
• Experience working in the South East Asia region is desirable.
• Experience in the usage of computers, office software packages and G Suite is desired.

Languages

Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contract Agreement (IICA) Contract level: IICA 3 Contract duration: Open-ended, and subject to organizational requirement, availability of funds and satisfactory performance. Duty station: Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Phnom Penh city is a family duty station.

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
• 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.