BACKGROUND
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
OFFICE/UNIT/PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) of the Joint UNDP UN Habitat Promoting Local Development Project in Cabo Verde, the Project Finance and Administrative Officer is responsible for effective delivery of project implementation support services ensuring effective operational management of project, and the transparent utilization of financial resources. The Project Finance and Administrative Officer promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
The Office of Cabo Verde is the only UN Joint Office set up in the world, bringing together UNDP, UNFPA, and UNICEF under the same administrative arrangement, with a single Representative, and a common team of professionals. Building on the expertise of those agencies, within a pilot Delivering as One UN Programme, the office provides important learning opportunities and the possibility to capitalize on the value added of the three agencies, in the service of the country’s priorities.
Promoting Local Development Project:
This new Joint Programme (JP) builds upon prior achievements to accelerate local development by tackling some of the main issues that persist, including in particular the limited capacity of local authorities to generate own-source revenues, to manage effectively and efficiently existing resources (including natural resources), to effectively engage local populations in local development agenda as well as to allow them to better access basic services, economic infrastructures and assets.
The Joint Programme implementation will be overseen by a Steering Committee and led by a Joint Programme Management Team. On the United Nations side, the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) will lead the steering process while the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) will collaboratively implement the Joint Programme activities.
UNDP has been a key partner in the country supporting local development and decentralization. The recent implementation of the Programa “Plataformas locais” (local Platforms) and the “Fundo de Descentralização” programmes showed the importance of the territorial approach in supporting sustainable development based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country, achieving profound transformations and impacts on territorial capacities and local development. UN-Habitat is the United Nations (UN) agency mandated to promote inclusive, sustainable and resilient cities and communities. In Cabo Verde, it has supported national and local governments in several normative and operational processes, including the establishment of the National Urban and Housing Policies, Local Housing Plans, and participatory upgrading of informal settlements.
The Joint Programme will support local governments, local and community development actors, national entities, especially the newly created Ministry of Territorial Cohesion (MCT), and also entail significant engagement with the National Association of Municipalities (ANMCV) and other city associations in organizing fora related to experience sharing, at national level and with international partners. It will support the production of guidelines, handbooks, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and templates to standardize and sustain all good practices consensually agreed.
SCOPE OF WORK
Summary of key functions:
Management of the project, implementing activities by mobilizing goods and services, in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations Support to programme operations (finance, asset management, administration, HR) in line with UNDP corporate rule, regulation and policies Support partnership activities at project level Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, guidance to all stakeholders on programme management and operational matters, namely implementing partners, municipalities and local associations.
Ensure effective administration of budgets and monitoring of expenditure focusing on the achievements of the following results:
Support the preparation of annual project workplans and related sub-plans (procurement plan, quarterly plans if required, and others as necessary) Ensure timely and good-quality implementation of workplan activities Support continuous monitoring og progress against the approved work-plan Monitoring expenditure to ensure that it is in line with approved budgets, AWPs and UNDP Programmed/Financial policies.
Ensure effective CO programme finance, asset, procurement and HR management and focusing on the achievement of the following results:
Implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system. Monitors financial exception reports of developing projects for unusual activities, transactions and investigates anomalies Coordinate and Control of Combined Delivery Periodic monitoring of dashboards and exceptions, identification of remedial actions. Assist UNDP CO in implementing new standards and procedures in consistent to international standard Systematically apply best practice in project/programme management and implementation of the project.
Ensures partnerships activities at project level:
Be familiar with the activities of other development projects in the sector/area, establish contact and keep up-to date with their work Support the creation and maintenance of partnerships with local institutions, private sector, academia, decentralized cooperation in project target areasEnsures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing, guidance to all stakeholders on financial matters focusing on the achievement of the following results:
Regular exchange of information/experience with other projects, cross-learning and sharing results and good practices Participation in regular internal meetings with finance and procurement units in the country office Support the organisation of training events, communities of practice, codifying and sharing knowledge Facilitation and organisation of training for project staff to enable them to perform at the required level
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT
Under the guidance and supervision of the CTA of the Promoting Local Development in Cabo Verde Project, the Project Finance and Administrative Officer provides support to the CTA for financial and administrative services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. The Project Finance and Administrative Officer promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
COMPETENCIES Core competencies 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.
Thematic Area Name Definition Business Management Results-based Management Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results Business Management Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals Business Management Monitoring Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results Business Management Working with Evidence and Data Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making 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 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
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OF THE SUCCESSFUL NPSA Min. Academic Education
A professional accounting qualification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy, and/or Advanced (Master’s degree or equivalent) University Degree in Finance and/or Accounting, Business or Public Administration, Economics or related field is required.OR
A first-level university degree (Bachelor´s degree) 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. Min. years of relevant Work experience A minimum two (2) years (with Masters’ degree), OR, minimum four (4) years (with Bachelors’ degree) of relevant experience in providing financial management services, and/or managing staff and operational systems, project/programme formulation, management, accounting, finance, operations, administration or audit services at the national, local and/or international level is required.Required skills and competencies 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. Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required for external candidates. Desired additional skills and competencies Proven support/experience in strategic planning, results-based management and reporting Knowledge of UNDP QUANTUM system is desirable At least four (4) years of relevant experience at the national, local and/or international level in project/programme formulation, management, accounting, finance, operations, administration, or audit services Experience in preparation of annual project workplans and related sub-plans (procurement plan, quarterly plans if required, and others as necessary) Experience in Management of the project, implementing activities by mobilizing goods and services Required Language(s) (at working level)
· Fluency in the UN language of the duty station is required.
· Fluency in the national language of the duty station is required for local staff.
· Knowledge of another UN language is desirable
Professional Certificates Accounting and/or procurement certification (CIPS) is an assetTRAVEL
Oficial travel is expected to take place within Project implementation associated to his/her Project functions.
The following documentsshall be requiredfrom the applicants:
P11 indicating all past positionsheld and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details(email and telephonenumber) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers. Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevantto pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaignsor other materials.DISCLAIMER
Female candidacies are strongly encouraged.
Important applicant information
All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: 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.
Workforce diversity
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. We strongly encourage female candidacies.
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