Job Description

Background

The Bureau for Management Services (BMS) supports management for development results. It provides operational solutions, strengthens the ability of UNDP to achieve programme and development results, keeps pace with the evolving needs and expectations of development partners and at the same time safeguards the organization’s accountability vis-à-vis United Nations member states. BMS provides advisory and transactional services and support to UNDP and UN agencies in its core functional areas. BMS develops management policies, Regulations and Rules prescriptive content, management networks, other management and strategic leadership. BMS oversees policy adherence, safeguarding UNDP and Administrator accountability. It manages cross-cutting functions linked to change management and acts as the operations unit of Headquarters, providing operational services for implementation of UN Reform initiatives.

The Bureau for Management Services’ Office of Financial Resources Management (BMS/OFRM), supports the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the implementation of the 2030 agenda and UNDP’s Strategic Plan. It achieves this by developing and making fully operational a dynamic and harmonized integrated resource management framework based on comprehensive analysis that enhances UNDP’s financial and administrative performance, as well as facilitates UN reform and coherence. To these ends, the framework addresses strategically critical financial, budgetary and administrative resource planning and management issues, including: institutional results based budgeting; the implementation and enhancements to the Integrated Resources Plan and the Integrated Budget within the context of the integrated budget from 2014 onwards; enhanced cost classification and cost recovery; capital budgeting; adherence to IPSAS; foreign exchange and investment activities; organizational assets; budgetary and financial management and other performance management initiatives; and support to UN harmonization.

The primary role of BMS/ OFRM is to maintain the financial integrity of UNDP through providing functional leadership, supporting the efficient and effective management of its financial resources, promoting financial sustainability and responsible resource allocation. This is accomplished by the development and implementation of sound financial policies and practices, oversight of corporate financial management performance, and flexible scalable support to resource allocation. BMS/OFRM serves as a business partner to Bureaux and Country Offices, providing sound financial management, advisory and analytical services, with a view to continuously improve the financial management performance of business units and support Bureaux in the exercising of their oversight functions. BMS/OFRM is a key source of information for the Executive Board, General Assembly, to UNDP stakeholders, and wider civil society. It supports transparency through the provision of quality statutory and other financial reports, that comply with international standards and regulatory guidelines.

Under the supervision of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Director, OFRM leads the Financial Policy, Innovation and Partnership and the Budget Planning and Coordination functions, which consist of the following teams: Partnerships (internal and external) and Donors Interactions; Innovation and Solutions and Bureaux/COs Advisors, which advise, monitor, and spearhead initiatives to strengthen the organization’s management of its financial resources to achieve development results; and the Budget Planning and Coordination function, which supports the delivery of the annual and quadrennial internal financial planning, budgeting and analysis processes for UNDP.

The quality of service of the Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Director, for Operations, Financial Policy, Innovation and Partnership, and Budget Planning and Coordination will have a direct impact on the effectiveness and compliance with UNDP’s Financial Regulations and Regulations, policies and procedures as well as internal controls. Successful performance should result in effectively assisting the BMS leadership in planning and allocating the resources made available to UNDP so as to optimize their use, in line with UNDP financial regulations and rules. In addition, by propelling a culture within BMS/OFRM of client orientation to regional bureaux, central bureaux and Country Offices (COs), the Deputy CFO is steward and catalyst of sound financial resources management in UNDP, including by enhancing the competencies of UNDP financial functions across the organization. Furthermore, the quality of service will have a direct impact on an effective support being provided to regional bureaux, central bureaux and COs, compliance with the financial framework, effective and efficient streamlined policies and procedures implemented as per best practices, Executive Board decisions relating to financial resource management as well as unqualified audit reports.

Duties And Responsibilities

The position provides technical leadership and policy guidance to the Global Shared Service Centre (GSSC) and oversees the supervision of the BMS/OFRM Analytics function co-located in the GSSC. This is achieved in close collaboration with all BMS/OFRM Units, in particular the Financial Performance Management and Reporting Division.

The incumbent also serves as the alter ego and assists in discharging the direct responsibilities of the CFO for the financial operations of the Office of Financial and Resources Management and supporting the CFO in exercising corporate oversight.

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.

Manage and ensure the effective and timely delivery of the Financial Business Partnering team’s policy, monitoring and advisory services to country offices, regional and central bureaux on the application of the Financial Regulations and Rules, Integrated Control Framework, policies and procedures, including:
Assess compliance with the financial framework and financial controls; support for financial training/learning of clients and staff; and maximize opportunities for improving resource management, revenue generation, cost-recovery and cost reduction.
Provide risk-based monitoring services, including Bureaux and Country office monitoring to address corporate oversight.
Advise units on financial management performance, financial sustainability and effectiveness, and support the improvement of their financial capacity.
Support the BMS Director in the administrative maintenance of the UNDP financial regulations and rules.
Identify and implement innovative approaches and solutions toward the continued development and enhancement of the global finance function and/or improved client satisfaction, including:
Assess, pilot, and launch innovative policies, processes and/or technologies.
Define solutions for new complex finance issues, including new types of agreements and methods of financing development, including innovative financial instruments.
Develop strategies to improve the performance of the Bureaus.
Coordinate and oversee all financial systems development and implementation in the context of a wider corporate enterprise resource planning system: (i) advisory on design, configuration, testing and roll-out; (ii) co-ordination and collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders; (iii) representation and advisory on decision making committees.
Manage and/or oversee special projects, initiatives and strategic issues.
Further develop the corporate financial framework, the financial policies and procedures and Internal Control Framework of UNDP and monitor their application, including:
Establish and administer systems of financial and budgetary management and control, and monitor practices to ensure optimal planning and management of the financial resources assigned to the Country Office and HQ units.
Follow-up on efficiency efforts in progress and continue the development of internal controls to assure that continuous efforts are made towards a more efficient and cost-effective UNDP.
Design tools and methods for the implementation of new policies (e.g. Direct Project Costing, Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers, rebased budgets, etc.) and support Bureaux in implementation.
Oversee the management of risk and clearance of financing and legal agreements on behalf of OFRM.
In conjunction with other Bureau for Management Services offices, lead, supervise and coordinate input from BMS/OFRM into the ERM process and the preparation of the comments on all reports and management letters, of the United Nations Board of Auditors and the Office of Audit and Investigation.
Supervise, monitor, and coordinate the analysis of the financial resources planning of UNDP, oversee the viability and sustainability of UNDP budgetary resources, understanding the reasons for strong/weak performance, including:
Advise the CFO in support of the BMS Director, who is responsible, on behalf of the UNDP Administrator, for planning and allocating the resources made available to UNDP so as to optimize their use, in line with UNDP financial regulations and rules.
Lead and coordinate robust annual and quadrennial financial resources planning, budgeting and analysis processes, supported by clear business analytics, that enable the leadership to make decisions that are fact-based and risk-informed.
Advise and supports the processes for planning and allocating resources available to UNDP, to optimize their use in line with UNDP financial regulations and rules.
In coordination with Regional and Central Bureaux, monitor practices to ensure optimal planning and management of the financial resources assigned to the Country Office and HQ units.
As Deputy to the CFO, on operational matters, and, in conjunction with the Deputy to the CFO on resource matters, assists in discharging the direct responsibilities of the CFO for the financial operations of the Office of Financial and Resources Management, and supporting the CFO in exercising corporate financial management oversight, including:
Support the CFO in the management and executive of administrative matters related to the functioning of BMS/OFRM, including matters related to human resource and financial management.
Coordinate and prepare BMS/OFRM client signature products, including the Bureau Financial Reviews and One-Pagers to BMS/OFRM’s clients, and support the continued development of OFRM products, services and solutions to improve the financial management performance of clients.
Manage the preparation of donor reporting, and accurate and timely financial reporting to the Executive Board, the Administrator, donors and other stakeholders; and
Conduct representational functions by liaising with the Executive Board, donors, strategic partners and the financial community; liaising with counterparts in the UN. system on finance and administrative issues, and representing UNDP at the HLCM/FB; liaising with UNDP headquarters senior management and Resident Coordinators, Resident Representatives, Country Directors and Operations Managers in Country.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities

The Deputy CFO will oversee oversee a team of 23 personnel.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results: Prioritize team workflow, mobilize resources, drive scalable results/strategic impact.
Think Innovatively: Easily navigate complexity, encourage/enable radical innovation, has foresight.
Learn Continuously: Create systems and processes that enable learning and development for all.
Adapt with Agility: Proactively initiate/lead organizational change, champion new systems/processes.
Act with Determination: Able to make difficult decisions in challenging situations, inspire confidence.
Engage and Partner: Construct strategic multi-partner alliances in high stake situations, foster co-creation.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Create ethical culture, identify/address barriers to inclusion.

Cross-Functional & Technical

Business Direction & Strategy
- Strategic Thinking: Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
- 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.
- Effective Decision Making: Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.
Business Development:
- Collective Intelligence Design: Ability to bring together diverse groups of people, data, information, ideas, and technology to solve problems and design solutions or services. Knowledge and understanding of Collective Intelligence Design principles, methodology and practices.
Business Management:
- Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.
- Risk Management: Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks.
Finance:
- Financial 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.

Education

Required Skills and Experience

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

Experience

Minimum of 15 years (with master’s degree) or 17 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively senior experience in financial management, strategic planning, and policy development within large, complex international organizations.
Proven success in leading financial teams, managing cross-functional projects, and implementing financial systems and controls, including ERP systems and financial system design is required.
Demonstrated experience in corporate change management and driving innovation to improve client satisfaction is required.
Expertise in budgeting, cost recovery, financial analysis, resource planning, and risk management is required.
Strong understanding of statutory financial reporting, financial regulations and compliance frameworks, particularly IFRS or IPSAS is required
A sound understanding of the UN system and environment is required.
Experience in the UN system/UNDP, ideally a regional or country setting, would be desirable.
Finance for development or public sector finance experience in a developing country is desirable.
Demonstrated ability to advise senior leadership and contribute to high-level decision-making is an advantage.
Proven track record of excellent leadership, strategic thinking, and analytical skills is desired.
Demonstrated experience of strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage large multi-cultural teams and engage effectively with stakeholders including donors, auditors, and executive boards is desired.
Proven track record of High level of integrity, professionalism, and discretion is required.
Proven track record of collaborative work across diverse, multicultural, and multilingual environments and refocus on internal relationship building is desirable.
Audit experience in a large public auditing firm or in global organizations in public or private sector is required.
Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another UN language is desired.

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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