Programme Management Office (PRMO) - Senior Officer (Risk and Compliance)

Entry Mid Programme & Policy Finance & Economy Monitoring & Evaluation

Overview

Ensure effective controls on Global Fund grant expenditures and compliance

You have:

• An Advanced University (Master) degree in finance, auditing, accounting or related field is preferred.
• A Bachelor degree in finance, audit, accounting or related field with 2 years of experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master's degree.
• Certification as a CPA, CA, CIA or equivalent is highly desirable.
• A minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, compliance, audit, accounting, and risk management is required.
• Experience with audits of development aid programs or projects funded by international donors is an asset.
• Experience using ERP accounting software packages, preferably SUN accounting systems.
• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-9 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 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-9 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 Program Management Advisor (Finance and Risk) and overall management of Senior Programme Coordinator, the Programme Management Office (PRMO) - Senior Officer (Risk and Compliance) will aim to:

1. Ensure effective controls are in place on the use of Global Fund grant monies and that all payments are eligible, justified and represent value for money;
2. Ensure that financial records for all transactions are maintained accurately and on a timely basis;
3. Mitigate the risk of fraud or misuse of grant funds and reduce the ineligible expenditures reported by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and the Local Fund Agent (LFA);
4. Ensure the continuity of the program implementation in high risk environments and that safeguards are in place with respect to Global Fund investments;
5. Ensure that reporting to the PR is accurate, timely and in accordance with SRs Grant Agreement and the applicable policies and regulations of the Global Fund.

The Programme Management Office (PRMO) - Senior Officer (Risk and Compliance) will be embedded at the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control (CNM) and closely working with the CNM finance team. S/he will supervise UNOPS Finance Associates (Compliance and Monitoring) working at the National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control (CNM) as well as other SRs/SSRs to improve and strengthen the overall financial management. The Finance and Risk Officer will ensure the quality and compliance of the financial implementation of the program and will perform the following specific duties and responsibilities:

Financial Compliance: Risk Management

• Ensure that there is an effective system of internal controls in place in order to prevent and detect fraud, misappropriation and misapplications. In particular with regards to travel related costs (TRC)
• Ensure that there is an effective tracking mechanism to follow staff movements and whether the amount of travel is justified and is in line with the budget and applicable laws, ensure that travel is approved by authorized personnel travel claims are submitted correctly with all required supporting documents attached as per Travel Related Cost Guidelines.
• Recommend improvement for effective internal control mechanisms to ensure adherence to the Finance Manual, Program Management Guidelines (PMG)/Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Carry out periodic risk assessment and test whether the controls in place respond to the risks identified.

• 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.

  Financial Management and procedures:

• Monitor CNM’s, SRs and Sub National compliance with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations, Global Fund financial rules, policies and Financial Manual and financial management, accounting rules and practices established in Cambodia to mitigate the risk of fraud or misuse of grant funds and reduce the ineligible expenditures.

• Ensure that there is clear adherence, application and understanding of the content of the Finance Manual, Programme Management Guidelines (PMG),
• Ensure that CNM, SRs and Sub National internal finance management and administrative guidelines are aligned with GF guidelines/PMG.

• Conduct regular meetings among relevant CNM departments to ensure standardization and coherence in the day-to-day functions related to internal financial management and controls within CNM and ensure timely implementation of corrective measures.

  Financial Compliance and Verification of Transactions:

• Oversight on expenditure of national program (CNM) to ensure that they are in accordance with the approved budget and work plan and in full compliance with the SOPs and Finance Manual.

• Ensure that all transactions are supported by original Documentation.
• Quality review of the payment processed to minimize audit and LFA findings.
• Review and improve the existing process flow to ensure that approvals related to payments are processed in a timely manner in consultation with the line manager at UNOPS and relevant management units in CNM.
• Provide guidance to national program and sub national offices in developing budget plans, financial expenditure reports in a timely manner and with quality.
• Ensure that there are controls in place to separate grants funds from other sources of funds.

Financial Compliance: Accounting:

• Ensure that books of accounts are kept and reporting is done according to the Grant Agreement and generally accepted accounting principles in Cambodia.
• Ensure that all transactions are appropriately coded and recorded so that the required data for the Annual Financial Report (AFR) and for Progress Update and Disbursement Report (PUDR) is generated automatically with minimal manual intervention.
• Ensure that monthly bank reconciliations and reviews of accounting entries are performed.
• Oversee the month-end close-out procedures performed in the accounting system and support CNM and Sub National level in conducting annual fixed asset verification.
• Monitor and report on measures taken by the CNM to ensure that the Grant funds under the Grant Agreement are free from taxes, and duties imposed under the laws of Cambodia, as provided for in the Grant Agreement.

• Support the SRs and Sub National level to ensure that a system to track tax exemptions and reimbursements is in place and shall ensure that the CNM takes all necessary steps to obtain reimbursement for taxes where direct exemption is not available

  Capacity Building:

• 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 national program.

• Strengthen the capacity of SRs on financial management by identifying training needs, develop training programs and materials , provide guidance and conduct specific training sessions to SRs on audit processes, common findings in conjunction with the Senior Compliance Officer and the Program Management Advisor Finance and Risk;
• 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

• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices and sharing with CNM, SRs and Sub National Level

  Reporting:

• Ensure accurate and timely preparation and submission of periodic program and financial reports, including, Quarterly Financial Reports (QFR), Progress Update and Disbursement Request (PUDR, Annual Financial Report (AFR) and Annual Financial Statements.

  Audit:

• Facilitate and coordinate with annual external audit and follow-up on audit recommendations.

• Provide support to UNOPS' Internal Audit and Investigation Group on data or field visit requirements.

  Other:

• Perform other relevant duties as required by supervisor and by the Global Fund.

• Submit periodic report (monthly) of the improvement in internal controls, financial management and identified issue and risk within CNM to the Programme Coordinator.

Competencies

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

• An Advanced University (Master) degree in the area of finance, auditing, accounting or any related field is preferred;
• A Bachelor degree in the area of finance, audit, accounting or any related field is in combination with additional 2 years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Certification

• Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) or equivalent is highly desirable.

Experience

• A minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, compliance, audit, internal audit, accounting, and risk management at the national or international level is required.
• Experience with audits of development aid programmes or the projects funded by international donors and institutions is an asset.
• Experience in the use of ERP accounting software packages preferably SUN accounting systems is desirable.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills is preferable.
• Good knowledge of donor organizations and experience in working with Public Institutions would be an asset.
• Previous experience with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis would be an asset.

Languages

Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA) Contract level: LICA 9 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.

THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION, SO ONLY CAMBODIANS ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY. 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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 4 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.unops.org