Finance Assistant

Mission and objectivesThe United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations’ global development network. UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results. This is a critical time for the world. At UNDP, we see this period as a huge opportunity to advance the global sustainable development agenda. In September 2015, world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. UNDP is working to strengthen new frameworks for development, dis-aster risk reduction and climate change. We support countries' efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, or Global Goals, which will guide global development priorities through 2030. For several years, UNDP with the support of various donors, Japan, Germany, Sweden, the European Union has made early recovery and stabilization within communities hard hit by the crisis its priority. More recently, UNDP has committed to implementing the regional stabilization strategy, adopted in May 2018 by the States Parties of the LCBC and endorsed by the African Union. The socio-economic situation and the endemic unemployment of youth and women in the intervention areas call for immediate interventions to consolidate the trend towards a return and the setting in orbit of an irreversible stabilization. The implementation of such immediate actions re-quires the presence within the National Stabilization Window team of a Communication and Re-porting Assistant who will work under the supervision of the Project Coordinator in collaboration with the entire team based in Maroua and Yaoundé as well as with colleagues from other projects

ContextThe Finance team supports the Country Office (CO) 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. Under the guidance and supervision of the Operations Manager and direct supervisor, the Finance Assistant provides financial services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. The Finance Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The Finance Assistant works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme and projects’ staff in the Country Office (CO) and with UNDP HQ and GSSC staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery. 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.

Task DescriptionWithin the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of Finance or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Finance Assistant will: Support implementation of operational strategies • Ensure full compliance of financial processes and financial records with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) and strategies. • Provide input to the Finance unit and office management in preparing and reviewing CO business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal standard operating procedures in finance in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management. Support functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system. • Provide inputs for preparation of cost-recovery and Direct Project Costs (DPC) bills in ERP for the services provided by UNDP, and follow up on cost recovery. Provide accounting and administrative support to the Finance unit. • Provide support in ensuring proper control of the supporting documents for payment invoices and proper document management including systematic archiving. • Prepare financial reports for non-development projects and management funds/budget balance. • Prepare all types of invoices for projects and on behalf of UNOPS and non-ERP Agencies. • Maintain a proper filing system for finance records and documents. • Maintain the internal expenditures control system which ensures that invoices processed are matched and completed; transactions are correctly recorded and posted in ERP; and travel claims and other entitlements are duly processed. • Provide information on the status of financial resources as required. • Take timely corrective actions on unposted invoices, including invoices with validation errors, match exceptions, and/or unapproved invoices. • Manage cash receipts and petty cash. • Maintain the Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects in ERP. Ensure proper functioning of CO cash and Treasury management systems. • Serve as alternate to Finance Associate (ICS-6) for 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 and create deposits for revenue application on a timely basis. • Identify and record contributions. • Prepare timely and accurate bank reconciliations and provide documentation to GSSC according to service level agreement. Initiate bank transfers and deals in ERP. Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO • Participate in the training for the operations/ projects staff on finance. • Provide contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. • The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization. Results/expected outputs: • As an active UNDP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNDP Country Office and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: o Effective and transparent utilization of financial resources allocated to the office o Proper supply and asset management o Effective administrative and financial control of the office o Verification and payment of invoices to suppliers. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment

Competencies and values• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Client orientation • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living conditions and remarksThe living conditions are Yaounde are relatively good, but housing and accommodation costs are high. Especially in areas heavily populated by internationals and diplomats. There are frequent power cuts and water shortages. Modern shopping malls exist bit tend to be expensive; the local market sells fresh fruits and vegetables which are reasonably priced and affordable. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.