Finance Analyst at UNDP - Tanzania

Background
As one of the original eight pilot countries for the UN Reform initiative Delivering as One, Tanzania is a global leader in advancing reforms of the UN system, with a view to support accelerated harmonization in implementation practices, coherence in programming, and alignment with national systems, intended to produce a reduction in transaction costs and enhanced development impact.

Deepening reform will require new and even more innovative ways for the UN agencies to work together. Programme planning, resource mobilization, evaluation, and review activities will be done collaboratively. There will be increased harmonization of UN policies, procedures and tools, possibly leading towards the establishment of a One UN Operations Team.

Under the guidance of the DCD (Operations) and direct supervision of the OM, the Finance Analyst is responsible for effective delivery of financial services, transparent utilization of financial resources and management of the Country Office (CO) Finance Unit. He analyses 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 supervises and leads the staff of the Finance Unit. The Finance Analyst works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and project teams in the CO and with UNDP HQs staff and Government officials ensuring successful CO performance in Finance

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Ensures implementation of operational and financial management strategies, and adapts processes and procedures, focusing on the achievement of the following results:
Full compliance of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and audit follow up with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies; implementation of the effective internal control, proper design and functioning of the financial resources management system.

• CO Finance business processes mapping and elaboration/establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance, control of the workflows in the Finance Unit;
• Continuous analysis and monitoring of the financial situation, presentation of forecasts for development and management projects;
• Elaboration of the framework and conditions of contributions within the CO resources mobilization efforts;
• Elaboration and implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies.
• Routinely monitors financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigates anomalies or unusual transactions. Informs supervisors and other UNDP staff at Headquarters of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.

2. Manages the project budgets and organizes an optimal cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Financial resources management through planning, guiding, controlling of the resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
• Preparation and monitoring of budgets of management projects;

• Establishment of the development projects’ budgets; preparation/modification monitoring system, control of budgetary status versus authorized spending limits (ASL) and budgets delivery levels;
• Sending project budget to KK if authorized by the Senior Management (can be done only on the basis of signed products and project budgets);
• Elaboration of proper mechanisms to eliminate deficiencies in budget management;
• Preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the services provided by UNDP.

3. Ensures proper control of CO accounts focusing on achievement of the following               results:

• Elaboration of the internal expenditures’ control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas; payrolls are duly prepared; MPOs, travel claims and other entitlements are duly processed, receipting of goods and services and establishment of accruals are properly done in compliance with IPSAS and UNDP policies and procedures; 
• Manager level 1 in Atlas;
• Control of accounts closure;
• Approval of vendors in Atlas;
• Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers;
• Timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues;

• Control of the Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects and maintenance of the General Ledger.

4.   Ensures proper CO cash management  focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements. Timely identification and recording of receipts for income application. Monitoring of financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions and investigation of anomalies or unusual transactions. Provision of information to supervisors and other UNDP staff at HQ on the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained;
• Daily review of zero-balance account bank statements in Atlas to monitor imp rest level; identification and record of contributions;
• Primary contact with local bank management on routine operational matters including negotiation of exchange rate on replenishments;
• Member of bank signatory panel;
• Approval and submission of monthly UN exchange rate reports to Treasury
• Timely and accurate approval of bank reconciliation, including documented review of exceptions;
• Initiation of bank transfers and deals, selecting bank transfers and deals for approval and settlement;
• Performing Pay cycle Manager role in Atlas;
• Timely preparation of monthly cash flow forecast for use by Operations Manager. Liaison with UN Agencies to obtain estimate of their cash requirements;
• Role as cashier for cash disbursements made on site.

5. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO and guidance to all stakeholders on financial matters focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Organization/conduct of training for the operations/programme/projects staff on financial management and RBM;
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in Finance;
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Competencies

• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work; 
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively; 
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Informed and transparent decision making

Required Skills and Experience

• Advanced (Masters) University Degree in Finance/Accounting, Business, or Public Administration, or a professional accounting qualification from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy. Professionally qualified accountants from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage. UNDP Advanced Accountancy & Finance Test required;
• Two years of relevant experience in providing financial management and accounting advisory services, managing staff and operational systems Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems and ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft;
• Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required for external candidates;
• Fluency in both oral and written English and Kiswahili.

Disclaimer

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experiences and resources to help people build a better life
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SOURCE: The Citizen 16 September 2016