Job Vacancies United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Position: Chief Regional Finance and Information Management
Closing Date: Monday, 13 September 2010
Location: United States of America ( The ), New York
Background
Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Regional Director, the Chief, Regional Finance & Information Management leads strategic planning for the regional operations, setting of management targets and monitors services provided. He/she advices the DRD in course correction, cost
effectiveness and creative responses to emerging complex challenges.
The Head of the Unit supervises and guides RBLAC staff in Finance and ICT and ensures cross-unit cooperation and coordination. She/he is responsible for the budget, planning and
financial management as well as ICT and Procurement issues. She/he formulates monitors and updates the annual allocations and mid-year revision, controls of the core and non-core budget allotment for the region.
Monitors, supports and oversees Country offices performance in terms of financial quality and delivery targets, managerial efficiency and operations compliance and financial sustainability.
Provides strategic
financial management support, analysis and reporting to RBLAC, and support to
financial management of Regional Programme and projects as well as Country offices.
Coordination with CODs, RBLAC Units and HQ clients to ensure resource alignment according to corporate goals.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Strategic financial planning, budgeting and forecasting comprises:
•Assists the Deputy Regional Director in preparing the Operations Business plan in collaboration with the other portions prepared by RBLAC Units;
•Provide timely, analytical support to the Bureau and Country Offices (COs) regarding any budget queries or negotiations with donors;
•Forecasts and reports on project delivery to COs on a regularly basis
•Provides analysis scenarios/forecast guiding the Bureau and COs on
resources mobilization needs ;
•Provides effective budget management support to the Deputy Director through the formulation, monitoring, and updating of the annual administrative allotments and mid-year revisions;
•Identifies discrepancies in proposed budget and actual expenditure and liaises with unit heads to addressing them;
•Provides Senior Management, and the Deputy Regional Director, with updated reports on the regional core and non-core budget allotment;
•Assists the Deputy Regional Director in the management of the extra-budgetary (XB) resources for the region and liaises with UNDP Office of Finance on potential issues with XB income and distribution;
•Anticipates, analyzes and helps to manage related risks for the region;
•Liaises with BOM/OPB on budget and cost recovery activities.
2. Project Management comprises:
•Manages the receipt of funds process following project approval and delegation of authority to COs leading to project document signature by providing financial clearance on each project budget;
•Financially monitors and controls all approved, on-going and operationally completed projects using ATLAS and other systems as needed until financial closure;
•Monitors project commitment and expenditure levels against available resources and ensure that utilization of funds fully comply with UNDP financial
rules and regulations;
•Monitors and assist Country offices and the Regional Programme in
project management activities.
•Assists on the Programme Operations activities of the Regional Programme.
3.Strategic Financial Management Support, Analysis and Reporting comprises:
•Provides cash position analyses and fiscal year expenditure information to Bureau and COs for all on-going projects ;
•Creates financial reports for the Bureau and COs in formats that meet their requirements and coordinates with them to clarify any outstanding financial or administrative issues or reconciliations;
Submits certified audited
financial statements issued by UNDP to the Deputy Regional Director to meet established deadlines;
•Prepares strategic financial reports and comparative analyses for senior management including information related to programme and project financial status, analysis of income, expenditure, delivery rates, etc. ;
•Oversees country offices’ financial management performances;
•Integrates
risk management guidelines and tools into LAC financial operations ;
•Acts as a liaison with the UNDP Office of Finance on financial performance issues related to RBLAC;
•Ensures the adoption of new corporate reporting tools by RBLAC staff.
4. On-going Operations and Transaction Processing comprises:
•Oversees the reimbursement of the Bureau and CO
support costs;
•Coordinates with UNDP Office of Finance/Accounts and Executing Agencies such as UNOPS and COs, on all finance related matters to optimize on-going program and administrative operations in compliance with financial
rules and regulations;
•Supports the Deputy Regional Director in ensuring effective management of other
financial resources managed by RBLAC;
•Supervises/controls IT activities.
•Monitors and controls the Regional Programme for reporting purpose to the RBLAC Directorate.
5. Internal Control and Risk Management comprises:
•Provides support in the financial aspects related to UNDP
internal audits as well as the US external auditors to ensure compliance with UNDP
rules and regulations;
•Ensures that all RBLAC Country, National, Sub-Regional and Regional executed projects comply with the appropriate audit requirements.
6. Business Management and Decision Support comprises:
•Implements and monitors the support cost system approved by the Regional Director and Deputy Regional Director;
•Manages Finance, and IT team and guide them in all aspects of financial, and IT work including , project accounting, finance business and IT processes;
•Oversees the financial activities of Country offices. Provide support to Country offices on making the best (most productive and fullest benefit) use of their core and non-core resources;
•Liaises with BOM Units in corporate meetings and represents RBLAC on issues related to
financial aspects.
•Promote a client-oriented approach;
•Provide daily guidance, direction and operational/trouble-shooting support to financial management and projects management counterparts in the RBLAC COs and the RBLAC Regional Programme on the day-to-day issues that arise in regard to the management of their resources in Atlas.
7. Finance and Operations Management Systems Administration comprises:
•Evaluates, plans and supervises all current financial systems to ensure that they enable key processes and minimize operating costs;
•Reviews and manages any application, data, or technical infrastructure transitions or upgrades;
Works closely with the RBLAC ICT Analyst to automate various reporting system (such as timesheet, registration and tracking or action to be taken, etc…);
•Monitors changes in UNDP programme and project budgeting and accounting;
•Provides support to UNDP and project staff on project budgeting/accounting rules and procedures and on ways and means of improving of financial management.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies
•Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
•Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
•Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
•Treats all people fairly without favoritism
Functional Competencies
•Knowledge Management and Learning
•Promotes
knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
•In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues
•Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
•Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP
Development and Operational Effectiveness
•Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
•Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management projects
•Solid knowledge in
financial resources , information and
communication technology,
•Ability to lead business processes re-engineering, implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change
Leadership and Self-Management
•Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
•Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
•Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
•Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as
conflict resolution skill
•Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
•Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
•Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills
UNDP Certification programmes Prince2, Accounting and Finance
Selected candidate will be required to take UNDP’s mandatory training courses on Prevention of Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority in the Workplace; The Gender Journey: Thinking Outside the Box; as well as the online UN Staff Security Training course within 2 months of their assuming their functions in this position.
Required Skills and Experience
Education
•Masters Degree in Business Administration, Management, Finance, Accounting, Public Administration or related field. Professional accounting qualification certificate from an internationally recognized institute of accountancy is highly desirable.
Experience
•At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience at national or international level in providing management
advisory services in financial and resource management or related positions. Strong organizational and people skills with proven ability to meet deadlines Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.
Language Requirements:
•Fluency in English and Spanish Knowledge of another UN language an asset.
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.
United Nations Development Programme
304 East 45th Street
New York
Telephone: (212) 909-7940
August 29th, 2010 
JAB 
