Finance Analyst

I. Background and Organizational Context UNDP’s country programme in Morocco (2023-2027) is fully aligned with the New Development Model, the Government Programme, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the UNDP strategic plan 2022-2025, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and emphasizes a human-rights-based approach, gender equity and the principle of leaving no one behind. It builds on previous development results and utilizes UNDP country, regional and global institutional capacities, including South-South and triangular cooperation. UNDP in Morocco works in close partnership with the Government and the international community to facilitate the New Development Model’s objectives of structural transformation to a more inclusive, empowered, sustainable and resilient economy and society contributing to broader African prosperity. The Finance Unit in the Operations Team supports the Country Office (CO) in Morocco in the promotion of its sustainable development agenda by continuously enhancing CO financial performance, delivering sound management of financial resources, and ensuring strong accountability through informed decision making, effective financial management processes, and transparent financial reporting that complies with international standards and regulatory guidelines. It supports both UNDP and other UN agencies to whom UNDP provides services.  II. Position Purpose

Under the guidance and supervision of the Operations Manager, the Finance Analyst manages the Finance team and is responsible for effective and transparent utilization of financial resources, and integrity of financial services. The Financial Analyst analyzes and interprets the financial rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues. The Finance Analyst promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Finance Analyst works in close collaboration with other units in the Operations team and with the Programme team in the CO, UNDP HQ, UNDP regional hub, and GSSC staff, and Government officials to ensure successful CO financial performance.

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.

IIIV. Key Duties and Accountabilities

1.)   Ensure implementation of operational and financial management strategies and adapt processes and procedures. Example of Duties:

• Ensure CO financial activities, financial recording/reporting system, and follow-up on audit recommendations comply with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) and strategies. Provide support during audits and in closure of audit gaps. Contribute to implementation of effective internal controls and proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system.
• Support office management in preparing and reviewing CO finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal standard operating procedures in the Finance Unit under the supervision of the Finance Specialist.
• Provide continuous analysis, monitoring and reporting on the CO financial situation and potential risks; and prepare forecasts for allocated development and management projects, transactions, and activities.
• Analyze and elaborate proposals on cost-saving and reduction strategies.
• Routinely monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities and transactions; and investigate anomalies or unusual transactions. Inform CO senior management and other relevant UNDP staff at Headquarters of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained. 2.)  Clear the budget of development projects, manage budgets of management projects and DPC, and ensure the   organization and functioning of an optimal cost-recovery system. Example of Duties:
  • Provide input to the elaboration of proposals for planning of financial resources of the CO.
  • Prepare and monitor budgets. Provide regular analysis and reporting on the budget approvals and the delivery situation of management projects.
  • Establish development projects’ budget preparation/modification monitoring system; and monitor and report on control of budgetary status versus authorized spending limits (ASL) and budget delivery levels.
  • Ensure administration of control mechanism for management projects by monitoring budgets, preparing and modifying budgetary status versus ASL, and follow up with HQ on ASL for projects. 
  • Organize cost-recovery and DPC mechanisms for services provided by UNDP ensuring the preparation of pro-forma invoices for UN agencies in ERP and closely and regularly monitor through the ERP tracking system. Ensure cost-sharing financing contributions are properly transferred to UNDP on a timely basis. 3.)  Ensure proper control of CO accounts. Example of Duties:
    • Analyze and elaborate proposals for the internal expenditures’ control system for all transactions, including invoices and General Ledger.  Ensure invoices processed are matched and completed; transactions are correctly recorded and posted in ERP; and travel claims and other entitlements are duly processed in IPSAS compliance.
    • Ensure timely corrective actions on unposted invoices, including invoices with validation errors, match exceptions, and/or unapproved invoices. Provide timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues.
    • Control of the Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects and accounts closure.  4.)  Ensure proper CO cash and Treasury management. Example of Duties:
      • Provide timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds for disbursements and maintain liquidity level approved by Treasury. Identify and record receipts/create deposits for revenue application.
      • Identify and record contributions.
      • Initiate and select bank transfers and deals for approval and settlement.
      • Prepare timely and accurate monthly cash flow forecast for use by the Operations Manager. Acts as cashier for cash disbursements made on site.  5.)   Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO and guidance to all stakeholders on financial matters. Example of Duties:
        • Contribute input to the identification of learning needs of UNDP staff for the purpose of capacity development in finance compliance.
        • Organize and conduct training for the operations/ programme/projects staff on financial management. Assist in providing regular training and technical guidance/advice on audit and compliance matters, including implementation of Internal Control Framework (ICF).
        • Ensure SoPs for Finance are fully respected and regularly updated
        • Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in finance.
        • Provide sound contributions to relevant committees, retreats, operations/programmes meeting, knowledge networks and communities of practice.
        • Provide relevant inputs on Finance to the UNDP CO representative to the OMT (Operations Management Team of the UN Country team) The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization. Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervises Finance Associate and Assistants IV. Requirements: Education
          • A professional accounting qualification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy, and/or Advanced (Master’s) University Degree in Finance and/or Accounting is required. Candidates with professional accounting qualifications from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
          • Candidates with no professional accountancy qualifications, but with degrees that major in accountancy and/or finance must complete the Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited.
          • Candidates satisfying the two above criteria are exempted from undertaking the UNDP Advanced Accountancy and Finance Test (AAFT). 
          • Candidates with MBA or master’s in finance with no accountancy qualification but with relevant experience must successfully undertake the UNDP Advanced Accountancy and Finance Test (AAFT) to be eligible for shortlisting.  Experience, Knowledge, and Skills
            • Applicants with Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in providing financial management services, and/or managing staff and operational systems. 
            • Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP financials and database packages is required.
            • Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required for external candidates.
            • Relevant experience in providing financial management services is required.
            • Relevant experience in the area of Finance with UNDP or another UN entity is highly desirable.
            •  Relevant experience in managing teams is highly desirable
            • Relevant experience in the area of Finance interacting with a diversity of clients or partners (government, international organizations, CSOs, private sector) is an asset. Language Requirements
              • Fluency in French as UN language of the duty station is required.
              • Good knowledge in Arabic as national language of the duty station is required for local staff.
              • Working knowledge of English as UN language is required.

                Expected Demonstration of Competencies

                Core 

                Achieve Results

                LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work

                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/partnerships

                Enable Diversity and Inclusion

                LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making 

                People Management (Insert below standard sentence if the position has direct reports.)

                UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

                Cross-Functional & Technical competencies: Thematic Area Name Definition Business Management

                Customer Satisfaction/Client Management

                📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

                ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

                • Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns Business Direction & Strategy Business Acumen
                  • Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome. Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks. Business Development Knowledge Facilitation
                    • Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally Finance Accounting (General)
                      • Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, regulations, policies and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations. Finance

                        Budget Management  

                        • Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets  Finance Audit Risk Management
                          • Ability to address audit issues raised in the course of an audit and propose solutions in order to ensure a true and fair audit opinion is achieved. 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.

                              V. Keywords

                              Finance resource management

                              Operational strategies

                              Cash management

                              Internal controls

                              Cost-recovery systems 

                              Financial reporting 

                              Equal opportunity

                              As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

                              UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

                              Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

                              UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

                              Probation

                              For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

                              Right to select multiple candidates

                              UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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