II. Background and Organizational Context:
UNDPโs Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) was established through a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 20 December 1978, calling upon UNDP โto improve the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian peopleโ. Since its establishment, UNDP/PAPP has delivered over USD 1.7 billion in development assistance to the Palestinian People.
UNDPโs Palestinian Programmatic Framework (PPF) 2023-2025 sets out a vision of โa world in which all Palestinians can enjoy a dignified life and fulfil their own vision of a unified, peaceful and free societyโ.ย The PPF is centered around the concept of โTransformative Resilienceโ and its three elements: a cohesive Palestinian identity, self-reliance, and ownership and leadership.
Over the next three years, UNDP/PAPP will build on its experiences and achievements to make critical contributions to the priorities defined by the Palestinian national development plans and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), through interventions in three programmatic priority areas:ย i) democratic governance and quality services; ii) inclusive economic opportunities; iii) sustainable natural resources management.
III. Position Purpose:
Under the direct guidance and supervision of the Deputy Special Representative (DSR) Programme-Operations (P/ O), and matrix supervision of Operations and Services Manager (OSM) the Business Solutions Service Center (BSSC) Analyst is responsible for ensuring the effective and transparent utilization of financial and other resources and upholding the integrity of financial and programme support services, including robust agreement management. This position ensures compliance with UNDP rules and regulations, while actively supporting Senior Management, Programme Specialists / Analysts, and Project Managers in the planning, budgeting, monitoring, and delivery of financial and programme support services.
In a collaborative, client-oriented environment, the BSSC Analyst works closely with Programme, Operations, and Project teams within PAPP, UNDP HQ, Regional Hub, and GSSC to resolve complex financial, programme, and operational issues. The role promotes cross-functional teamwork and coordination, with an emphasis on maintaining the highest standards of financial operations and ensuring alignment with organizational policies.
Additionally, the BSSC Analyst plays a key role in promoting horizontal collaboration across units and functions, contributing to the achievement of UNDPโs strategic goals through the integration of interventions and multidisciplinary team efforts.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
IV. Key Duties and Accountabilities:
1- Ensure implementation of operational strategies and oversight mechanisms:
Ensure full compliance with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) of financial activities and financial recording and reporting system. Lead PAPPโs Programme Finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of standard operating procedures in programme finance in consultation with office management. Formulate and submit annual audit plans to HQ/OAI and oversee the implementation of audit recommendations. Manage the projectsโ audit, follow-up on audit recommendations, and provide support in closure of audit gaps.ย Manage Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT) compliance and coordinate project assurance activities, including IP assessments, spot checks, and Micro Assessments. Implement financing and trust fund agreements, as well as non-financial agreements such as MOUs. Draft proposals and implement cost saving and reduction strategies in consultation with office management. Provide continuous analysis and monitoring of PAPPโs Programme financial situation, and present forecasts for allocated development projects, transactions, and activities and make recommendations.ย Monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities and/or transactions, investigate anomalies, and inform senior management when satisfactory answers are not obtained.2- Ensure effective programme finance management, optimal programmatic cost recovery and compliance:
Develop, implement, and follow up on Programme Portfolio Pipelines. Ensure programme financial resources management through planning, guiding, controlling of the resources. Prepare and monitor development project budgets. Ensure control mechanisms for development projects by developing guidelines and monitoring budget preparation and modifications, and budgetary status versus ASL and Revenue. Follow up with HQ on ASL for development projects Ensure compliance with cost recovery policies and proper reflection of financial transactions in UNDPโs Quantum. Analyze requirements and synthesize proposals on proper mechanisms to eliminate deficiencies in budget management. Ensure Control of Combined Delivery, regular monitoring of the delivery, and control of Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects. Exercise delegated manager authorities in Quantum. Provide advice on financial programme reporting, particularly on budgetary issues, and prepare reports. Monitor dashboards and exceptions; and identify remedial actions.3- Ensure implementation of resource mobilization:
Advise office management to articulate the framework and conditions of contributions within PAPP resources mobilization efforts. Manage financing contributions and support negotiations with donor partners regarding conditions and requirements. Provide advice to Programme and Project Staff on different donor reporting requirements. Manage and report on mobilized resources.4- Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing and provide guidance to all stakeholders on programme finance matters:
Provide guidance to the partner agencies on routine implementation of projects and tracking use of financial resources. Organize and conduct training for the Operations/Project/Programme Staff on programme finance management. Assist in providing regular training and technical guidance/advice on audit and compliance matters, including implementation of Internal Control Framework (ICF). Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in programme and programme finance. Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.5- Ensure Programme Support Across the Project Lifecycle:
Design Phase:
Ensure Programme Analysts and Project Managers in adhering to Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) requirements for pipeline management. Ensure compliance with quality assessments (HACT IP Assessments, resource budgeting). Review and clear donor contribution and partner agreements for compliance and liaise with Legal Support Office Legal Support Office (LSO) when necessary.Implementation Phase:
Support project teams in the formulation of Annual Work Plans (AWP) and Multi-Year Budgets. Manage financial commitments and disbursements to ensure effective budget execution. Oversee revenue management (Unity/GSSU), donor contributions, and financial reporting. Ensure accurate creation of e-requisitions, PO/Non-PO vouchers and compliance with financial regulations.Closing Phase:
Manage the operational and financial closure of projects, ensuring reconciliation and proper archiving of key documents in the CO e-Archive system.ยThe incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervise BSSC Team (2 GS-6s and 4 NPSA7s.).
V. Requirements:
Education:ย
An advanced university degree (masterโs degree or equivalent) in International Development, International Relations, Business Administration, or a related field is required. OR A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree or equivalent) in the above-mentioned fields of study, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. UNDP Accounting and Finance Training and Certification -ย (FTCP) is an asset.Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:
Minimum of 2 years (with masterโs degree) or 4 years (with bachelorโs degree) of relevant experience in providing national and international level in management advisory services, and/or managing teams and operational systems is required.ย Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheets and web-based management systems such as ERP financials and database packages is required. Experience of IPSAS is for external candidates is desired. Experience in managing the Audit process is desired.ย Experience in leading resource mobilization is desired.ย Experience in project management is an advantage.ย Experience in project quality assurance is desired.ย UN/UNDP experience in a similar position is desired.Language Requirements:
Fluency in Arabic and English is required.Expected Demonstration of Competencies:
Achieve Results:
LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing workย
Think Innovatively:
LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
Learn Continuously:
LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
Adapt with Agility :
LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
Act with Determination:
LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
Engage and Partner:
LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnershipsย
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:
LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making
People Managementย
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicatedย site.ย
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Thematic Area: Business Direction & Strategy (System Thinking)
Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
Thematic Area: Business Management (Portfolio Management)
Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity. Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.
Thematic Area: Finance (Audit risk Management)
Ability to address risks and audit issues raised in the course of an audit and propose solutions in order to ensure a true and fair audit opinion is achieved
Thematic Area: Finance (Financial planning and budgeting)
Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analysis and reporting.
Thematic Area: Finance (Financial reporting and analysis)
Understands changes in regulatory, legal and ethical frameworks and standards for financial reporting in the public sector. Ability to extract, evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful and coherent manner to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring. Understands the benefits of integrated reporting, including nonfinancial resources such as human, social and intellectual capital, and environmental and governance performance
Thematic Area: Finance (Management and Cost Accounting)
Ability to produce periodic qualitative and quantitative performance reports to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring. Ability to use a range of costing techniques and analyze cost related data to provide quantitative information to the users of reports.
Thematic Area: Finance (Financial Risk Management)
Ensures financial resilience through proactive assessment of risk, implementation of controls and taking mitigating action. Understands risk and reward in relation to collaborative and commercial projects. Ensures a culture of positive risk management.