Consultancy Announcement
Job Title : Finance Specialist
Organization : UNDP
Project : GFATM funded Projects in Southern Sudan
Location : Juba, Sudan
Contract Type : Special Service Agreement (SSA)
Supervisor(s) : Global Fund Coordinator
No. of Post : 1 post
Duration : 6 Months
Application Deadline: 20 November 2009
Start Date : ASAP
Background:
UNDP is a key partner to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) and is the UN Agency assuming the role of Principal Recipient of GFATM grants in selected countries. As a Principal Recipient, UNDP is responsible for the programmatic, financial, and monitoring and evaluation management as well as the procurement for health and non-health products of the GFATM grants. In all areas of implementation, UNDP works closely with the Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCM) of GFATM and provides capacity development services to sub-recipients (SRs) and implementing partners of the GFATM Grants. The UNDP Southern Sudan is the PR of most of the GFATM Grants and currently has a vacant position for GFATM Programme Finance Specialist.
Description of Responsibilities
Under the leadership of the Head of HIV/AIDS Unit and Global Fund Coordinator, the GFATM Programme Finance Specialist provides the finance technical services, supervises the transparent use of funds under all contractual arrangements, and is involved in the financial capacity building of the national project partners specifically with the following specific tasks:.
- Ensure the transparency, integrity and consistency of the financial processes, use of funds and financial information in ATLAS in compliance with GFATM requirement and UNDP financial regulations and rules.
- Programme and define financial needs of each Grant and PR’s PMU periodically in collaboration with Project Managers and Procurement Specialist and informs HIV/AIDS Unit Head and Project Managers.
- Elaborate financial quarterly action plan of each Grant to be implemented for the next quarter with details of financial information and submit it to HIV/AIDS Unit Head & GF Coordinator and Project Managers.
- Monitor and control risks associated with financial needs of each Grant and PR’s PMU in order to minimize any deviation and elaborate an exception report and exception plan if necessary.
- Analyze, from point of view of UNDP and GFATM, financial performance of each Grant and regularly report it to the HIV/AIDS Unit Head & GF Coordinator and Project Managers.
- Provide/recommend to HIV/AIDS Unit Head and GF Coordinator and Project Managers strategies for transparent and efficient utilization of funds of each Grant based on the financial analysis and contributes to implementing solution at PR level and SR level if necessary.
- Review contracts with partners from point of view of UNDP’s financial compliance in collaboration with Procurement Officers.
- Coordinate, supervise and give guidance to finance staff within the Unit.
- Provide recommendation on strategies for the improvement of financial management, accounting and information systems within the Unit and SRs and help the finance staff in implementing solutions.
- Build and maintain good relationship with the Headquarters to receive financial implementing solution in timely manner.
- Respond to financial requirements by UNDP office, Local Fund Agency (LFA) and GFATM Secretariat in a timely manner.
- Ensure timely and quality of submission to GFATM of all the required financial information such as quarterly reports, Annual report, Enhanced Financial Report and any other information requested by GFATM and LFA.
- Build and maintain good relationship with GFATM secretariat and LFA to receive financial and management solution.
- Contribute to implementing solution by SRs in compliance with the Grant Agreement and Agreement between PR and SRs
- Provides guidance and capacity building of the Ministry of Health, Southern Sudan HIV/AIDS Commission, partners and SRs on issues of finance – from contracting and banking issues to budgeting, accounting and reporting.
- Review contracts with SRs and partners from point of view of UNDP’s financial compliance in collaboration with Procurement Officers.
- Oversee large financial transactions with SRs and other project partners.
- Recommend strategies for the improvement of financial management, accounting and information systems of SRs and help implementing solutions.
- Define financial needs together with SRs, Project Managers and Procurement Officers and oversee the preparation of Budget proposals of the GFATM approved components.
- Verify monthly reconciliation prepared by Finance Assistant, examines the variances and implements remedial actions.
- Oversee correctness of information for the formulation of the project components in ATLAS.
- Prepare the annual work plans and the introduction of the information into ATLAS, ensures ATLAS budget revisions as needed.
- Review payments made by the assistants in ATLAS and ensure timely payments of services required by the SRs and Implementing Partners.
- Ensure tasks related to Audit, inform relevant parties, and ensure implementation of follow-up action on recommendation pointed out by Audit
- Perform other duties as requires.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Finance or any equivalent discipline with more than 10 years of relevant experience.
- Excellent knowledge of tools, procedures and international standards for the purchase of goods and services within the context of developmental support programs.
- Knowledge of the UNDP administrative and financial management procedures is an advantage
- Experience in GFATM grant financial management for at least three years is a requirement
- Familiarity with UNDP programme execution modalities, rules and regulations would be an asset
- Previous background in institutional environment of development cooperation/agencies (NGO’s, UN system, multilateral cooperation, etc.)
- Computer literate especially, in calculus sheets, excel, access and ERP (people soft) is highly desirable.
- Fluent in spoken and written English.
- High moral integrity, as well as diplomacy, impartiality and discretion with proven ability to work and act under pressure and with discretion in a politically sensitive and challenging environment;
- Demonstrate ability to work effectively in a team of international and local staff in dynamic, and sometimes logistically constrained environments
- Knowledge of the political and economic situation in the African continent is highly desirable;
- Preference will be given to candidates with an experience in UNDP GFATM Projects, field operations and use of ATLAS in financial management
Professional fee will be negotiated according to qualifications and experiences.
Application Procedure
Interested candidates should apply by sending their Letter of Interest and CV (preferably United Nations Personal History Form (P.11 Form)) to: bids.juba.gf@undp.org or drop a sealed envelope marked Confidential with the title of the position at UNDP Office in Juba by 1600hrs Juba Time before or on 20 November 2009.
Women Candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
Notice
UNDP, as a matter of practice, does not charge any application, processing or training fee at any stage of the recruitment process
