Finance & Budget Specialist Full Time NEW

Background

The Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) program for Ethiopia was initiated as a crucial step towards implementing the peace agreement signed between the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) on 2nd November 2022 in South Africa. This agreement ended the long-standing conflict that had arisen between the TPLF and the central government in Ethiopia, resulting in widespread violence and displacement.

The objective of the DDR program is to facilitate the disarmament of former combatants from Tigray, Amhara and Afar, their demobilization and eventual reintegration into civilian life. The program is geared towards restoring peace, promoting reconciliation and creating a conducive environment for sustainable development. Eventual areas of coverage will go beyond Northern Ethiopia and cover other regions of Ethiopia.

The Government of Ethiopia has mandated and created the “National Rehabilitation Commission (NRC)” which is responsible for design, planning, implementation, and monitoring of the DDR programme in the country. The overall DDR beneficiaries identified are 371,971. The Government has planned implementation of the programme. In Phase 1, a total of 75,000 combatants will be demobilized in 2024 and the balance will be demobilized in 2025.

UNDP is supporting the NRC in close coordination with various national and international partners, including the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and other actors. It is expected that the DDR program will provide an opportunity for the combatants in North Ethiopia to turn their focus towards peaceful and productive activities, thereby contributing to the overall stability and development of the North Ethiopia region.

The DDR program has close linkages with the National Dialogue, Transitional Justice, and Peace Support programme. The DDR programme is anchored in the Governance Unit.

Position Purpose 

Under the direct supervision of the DDR Director, the Finance & Budget Specialist will be expected to ensure the provision of high-quality support for the overall financial management activities on the DDR program.

Duties and Responsibilities

 Ensure and advise on Effective Project Planning & Budgeting focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Prepare and maintain the project budget in collaboration with the project team and partners
• Monitor and track project expenditures against the approved budget.
• Provide forecast cash flow needs to Director DDR and manage project funds accordingly.
•  Advise the Director DDR in identifying and addressing any financial deficiency and issues, if any.
• Produce a monthly summary report on the budget against the AWP for review by the Director DDR
•  Guide Implementing Partners in preparing budgets that are compliant with UNDP’s financial rules and regulations.
•  Ensure proper documentation and filing of Implementing Partner documents (forms, signed contracts, work plans, budgets, grants assessment reports, M&E frameworks, correspondences, etc.)
• Provide financial information on Implementing Partners for audit purposes.

Provide Financial Management Services focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Prepare accurate and timely financial reports based on compliance with donor requirements and UNDP organizational standards.
• Manage multiple donor fundings and provide continuous management and update of multiple donor funding expenditure and account balances.
• Analyze financial data to identify trends, areas of improvement, and potential challenges.
•  Provide the project team with regular financial updates and insights to inform decision-making.
• Perform regular monitoring of the project budget/delivery and review for correctness and alert Finance for any deficiency, wrong entry, insufficient funds, etc., before quarterly financial closures by UNDP HQ;
• Regularly monitor and track disbursements/advances to Implementing Partner every month;
• Review NEX advance requests/Direct Payment/Reimbursements sent from the RP for compliance with the standard template, accuracy of amounts/exchange rates, etc. in collaboration with the M&E Officer and the Project Manager and provide technical advice to the IP.
• Jointly with the PDRM Unit, undertake regular spot checks as per HACT guidelines to ensure that all expenditures/payments by Implementing Partners are adequately documented and adhere to established guidelines;
• Generate Quarterly and Annual financial reports for the UNDP CO review and assist in their analysis;
• In liaison with the Director DDR, UNDP Operations Managers, and PDRM Unit, assist in coordinating the provision of information and documents for the project’s audits/ verifications as and when appropriate;
• Provide regular budget/resource/Delivery updates to the Unit when requested
• Ensure adequate supporting documents for all payments as per the POPPs and maintain an organized, well-documented, and sequential filing system for finance records and documents.
• Produce a monthly summary spreadsheet per Implementing Partner on the financial status of the project for review by the CO;
• Ensure that LOA for Support to NEX is prepared/updated and sent to Min. of Finance and uploaded in the HACT share drive.

Provide General Administrative Services focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Handle and follow-up procurement of services and goods in consultation with the project team, procurement and operations team, and the Director DDR. Critically follow up on the proper Transfer of Title, inventory, and Registration of Capital Assets procured for the IP using the UNDP’s POPPs guidelines. Ensure that the Implementing Partner adheres to the UNDP’s standards of procurement when Support to NEX is preferred.
• Facilitate Travel inland and outside of Ethiopia for the DDR Team and partners as deemed necessary
• Facilitate the logistics for workshops/meetings/Seminar etc. as and when required
• Ensure Integrated Programme Implementation & Capacity Building:
• Contributing to project work planning and reporting exercises, participating in the process to collect inputs from various teams (programme, operations, country offices) and consolidate them into a holistic plan;
•  Identifying synergies and collaborative areas of work between the programme and operations teams, to maximize the project’s overall impact by working together with the Director DDR;
• Collects and provides necessary data, statistics, and information to support integrated work planning and reporting.
•  Guide/share knowledge and information with Implementing Partners on acceptable accounting principles and procedures. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization
• Support Monitoring & Evaluation and Audit functions in collaboration with the UNDP DDR Unit colleagues as required.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

Under the direct supervision of the DDR Director, the Finance & Budget Specialist, in close collaboration with the DDR CO and regional Office team, is expected to closely collaborate with the programme, operations, and project teams to ensure the successful implementation of the project.

Competencies

Core competencies

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have a lasting impact
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate the complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate the benefits of a diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• A professional accounting qualification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy, and/or an Advanced (master’s) University Degree in Finance and/or Accounting is required.
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, 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.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years  (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in project finance management in an international development agency.
• Experience in preparing and maintaining a project budget is an asset.
• Experience in preparing financial reports of project expenditure in compliance with donor requirements is a strong advantage.
• Experience in handling and tracking payments for large procurement of services and goods and ensuring proper documentation of all relevant files.
• Knowledge of Quantum /or IFRS is advantageous.
• Past experience working with UNDP / UN and international development agencies on multiple donor-funded projects is an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in English and the national language is required.

How To Apply

Application:

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/28585/?location=Ethiopia&locationId=300000000440569&locationLevel=country&mode=location&utm_source=External+Job+Share&utm_medium=jobshare

Updated CV and cover letter (in English)