Finance & Budget Specialist

Background

The Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) program for Ethiopia was initiated as a crucial step towards implementing the peace agreement signed between the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) on 2nd November 2022 in South Africa. This agreement ended the long-standing conflict that had arisen between the TPLF and the central government in Ethiopia, resulting in widespread violence and displacement.

The objective of the DDR program is to facilitate the disarmament of former combatants from Tigray, Amhara and Afar, their demobilization and eventual reintegration into civilian life. The program is geared towards restoring peace, promoting reconciliation and creating a conducive environment for sustainable development. Eventual areas of coverage will go beyond Northern Ethiopia and cover other regions of Ethiopia. 

The Government of Ethiopia has mandated and created the “National Rehabilitation Commission (NRC)” which is responsible for design, planning, implementation, and monitoring of the DDR programme in the country. The overall DDR beneficiaries identified are 371,971. The Government has planned implementation of the programme. In Phase 1, a total of 75,000 combatants will be demobilized in 2024 and the balance will be demobilized in 2025.

UNDP is supporting the NRC in close coordination with various national and international partners, including the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and other actors. It is expected that the DDR program will provide an opportunity for the combatants in North Ethiopia to turn their focus towards peaceful and productive activities, thereby contributing to the overall stability and development of the North Ethiopia region.

The DDR program has close linkages with the National Dialogue, Transitional Justice, and Peace Support programme. The DDR programme is anchored in the Governance Unit.

Position Purpose 

Under the direct supervision of the DDR Director, the Finance & Budget Specialist will be expected to ensure the provision of high-quality support for the overall financial management activities on the DDR program.

Duties and Responsibilities

 Ensure and advise on Effective Project Planning & Budgeting focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Prepare and maintain the project budget in collaboration with the project team and partners 
• Monitor and track project expenditures against the approved budget. 
• Provide forecast cash flow needs to Director DDR and manage project funds accordingly.
•  Advise the Director DDR in identifying and addressing any financial deficiency and issues, if any. 
• Produce a monthly summary report on the budget against the AWP for review by the Director DDR
•  Guide Implementing Partners in preparing budgets that are compliant with UNDP’s financial rules and regulations.
•  Ensure proper documentation and filing of Implementing Partner documents (forms, signed contracts, work plans, budgets, grants assessment reports, M&E frameworks, correspondences, etc.)
• Provide financial information on Implementing Partners for audit purposes. 

  Provide Financial Management Services focusing on the achievement of the following results:

  • Prepare accurate and timely financial reports based on compliance with donor requirements and UNDP organizational standards.
  • Manage multiple donor fundings and provide continuous management and update of multiple donor funding expenditure and account balances. 
  • Analyze financial data to identify trends, areas of improvement, and potential challenges.
  •  Provide the project team with regular financial updates and insights to inform decision-making. 
  • Perform regular monitoring of the project budget/delivery and review for correctness and alert Finance for any deficiency, wrong entry, insufficient funds, etc., before quarterly financial closures by UNDP HQ; 
  • Regularly monitor and track disbursements/advances to Implementing Partner every month; 
  • Review NEX advance requests/Direct Payment/Reimbursements sent from the RP for compliance with the standard template, accuracy of amounts/exchange rates, etc. in collaboration with the M&E Officer and the Project Manager and provide technical advice to the IP.
  • Jointly with the PDRM Unit, undertake regular spot checks as per HACT guidelines to ensure that all expenditures/payments by Implementing Partners are adequately documented and adhere to established guidelines; 
  • Generate Quarterly and Annual financial reports for the UNDP CO review and assist in their analysis; 
  • In liaison with the Director DDR, UNDP Operations Managers, and PDRM Unit, assist in coordinating the provision of information and documents for the project’s audits/ verifications as and when appropriate; 
  • Provide regular budget/resource/Delivery updates to the Unit when requested 
  • Ensure adequate supporting documents for all payments as per the POPPs and maintain an organized, well-documented, and sequential filing system for finance records and documents. 
  • Produce a monthly summary spreadsheet per Implementing Partner on the financial status of the project for review by the CO; 
  • Ensure that LOA for Support to NEX is prepared/updated and sent to Min. of Finance and uploaded in the HACT share drive.

    Provide General Administrative Services focusing on the achievement of the following results:

    • Handle and follow-up procurement of services and goods in consultation with the project team, procurement and operations team, and the Director DDR. Critically follow up on the proper Transfer of Title, inventory, and Registration of Capital Assets procured for the IP using the UNDP’s POPPs guidelines. Ensure that the Implementing Partner adheres to the UNDP’s standards of procurement when Support to NEX is preferred. 
    • Facilitate Travel inland and outside of Ethiopia for the DDR Team and partners as deemed necessary 
    • Facilitate the logistics for workshops/meetings/Seminar etc. as and when required 
    • Ensure Integrated Programme Implementation & Capacity Building: 
    • Contributing to project work planning and reporting exercises, participating in the process to collect inputs from various teams (programme, operations, country offices) and consolidate them into a holistic plan;
    •  Identifying synergies and collaborative areas of work between the programme and operations teams, to maximize the project’s overall impact by working together with the Director DDR; 
    • Collects and provides necessary data, statistics, and information to support integrated work planning and reporting. 
    •  Guide/share knowledge and information with Implementing Partners on acceptable accounting principles and procedures. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization 
    • Support Monitoring & Evaluation and Audit functions in collaboration with the UNDP DDR Unit colleagues as required.

      The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

      Institutional Arrangement

      Under the direct supervision of the DDR Director, the Finance & Budget Specialist, in close collaboration with the DDR CO and regional Office team, is expected to closely collaborate with the programme, operations, and project teams to ensure the successful implementation of the project.

      Competencies

      Core competencies 

      • Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have a lasting impact 
      • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 
      • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
      • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 
      • Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
      • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate the complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
      • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate the benefits of a diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

        Cross-Functional & Technical competencies  Thematic Area Name Definition Business Direction & Strategy

        📚 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!

        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 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 and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment Business Management

            Customer Satisfaction/Client Management

            • 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 Finance Accounting (General)
              • Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, regulations, policies and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations. 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, analyzing and reporting Finance

                  Finance Business Partnering 

                  • Able to support business units and add value by innovating and providing solutions to financial issues/queries, including through FAQs, financial tools, advisory, etc. Influences and appropriately challenges non-finance colleagues for whom the service is being provided. Understands the operations, opportunities and challenges of the organization. Holds a commercial outlook, demonstrating accountability towards organizational goals. 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

                      Required Skills and Experience

                      Education:

                      • A professional accounting qualification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy, and/or an Advanced (master’s) University Degree in Finance and/or Accounting is required. 
                      • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
                      • 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:

                        • A minimum of 5 years  (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in project finance management in an international development agency.    
                        • Experience in preparing and maintaining a project budget is an asset. 
                        • Experience in preparing financial reports of project expenditure in compliance with donor requirements is a strong advantage. 
                        • Experience in handling and tracking payments for large procurement of services and goods and ensuring proper documentation of all relevant files.
                        • Knowledge of Quantum /or IFRS is advantageous.
                        • Past experience working with UNDP / UN and international development agencies on multiple donor-funded projects is an asset. 

                          Language:

                          • Fluency in English and the national language is required.

                            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. 

                            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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