In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
UNDP in Kazakhstan is contributing to the country’s development through the following programmatic priorities outlined in the Country Programme Document 2021-2025 (CPD): 1) addressing social vulnerabilities and inequalities, 2) effective and accountable institutions, 3) climate and disaster resilience and low-carbon growth, and 4) diversified and knowledge-based economic growth. The CPD is implemented by the UNDP Country Office (CO) in Kazakhstan, located primarily in Astana, with a limited presence in Almaty and other project-based locations.
The CO is structured into Programme, Management & Program Support, and Operations units, with the latter being responsible for strategic administrative and human resources management, efficient procurement and logistical services, financial management and services and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and ensuring consistency with UNDP rules and regulations.
UNDP Kazakhstan Operations team provides professional and support services to all UNDP projects, resident and non-resident agencies in the areas listed above. The Operations team consist of HR, Finance, Procurement, Administration and ICT units led by respective Analysts, complemented by 2 Common Premises management teams.The Finance team supports the Country Office (CO) in the promotion of its sustainable development agenda by continuously enhancing CO financial performance, delivering sound management of financial resources, and ensuring strong accountability through informed decision making, effective financial management processes, and transparent financial reporting that complies with international standards and regulatory guidelines.
Under the guidance and supervision of the Finance Analyst, the Finance Associate ensures effective execution of financial services and processes in the Country Office and transparent utilization of financial resources. The Finance Associate promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
The Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme, and projects’ staff in the CO and with UNDP HQ and GSSC staff to exchange information and resolve finance-related issues.
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.
- Full compliance of financial processes and financial records with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies
- Ensure CO financial processes, financial records and reports, and audit follow-up comply with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP). Implement effective internal control framework.
- Support office management in preparing and reviewing CO finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal standard operating procedures in finance in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management.
- Provide input for implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies in consultation with the office management.
- Maintain financing and trust fund agreements, follow up on contributions with the respective project teams (the project team should be contacting the donor) within the CO resource mobilization efforts.
- Routinely monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities and/or transactions; and investigate anomalies or unusual transactions. Inform senior CO management and other UNDP staff at Headquarters of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained.
- Provide researched information for planning and status of financial resources of the CO.
- Prepare and modify budgets for UNDP management projects, follow-up with HQ on authorized spending limits (ASL) for management projects.
- Assist in the preparation of required budget revisions (ensuring multiyear budget revision) within the unit at required period and timely securing of ASLs; and ensure detailed record keeping of funds released for projects as well as monthly ASL reporting for non-core/ GEF projects.
- Prepare timely cost-recovery/DPC bills in ERP for the services provided by UNDP, implement the revenue tracking system, and follow up on cost recovery.
- Prepare and monitor financial advice and reports, ensuring timely and accurate submissions.
- Review and verify reports for compliance before liquidation, ensuring proper documentation and reconciliation.
- Ensure HACT-compliant processing of FACE reports, payment requests, recharges, and fund transfers.
- Proper control of supporting documents for payments and financial reports for projects and UN agencies; preparation of all types of vouchers; Pay Cycle and payment execution.
- Proper receipting of goods and services and establishment of accruals.
- Prepare financial reports for projects and management funds/budget balance; and prepare all types of invoices.
- Maintain the internal expenditures control system which ensures that invoices processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in ERP, and travel claims and other entitlements are duly processed.
- Coordinate and review allocated General Ledger and sub-ledger accounts and support timely project closure.
- Take timely corrective actions on erroneous data in ERP and on unposted invoices, including the invoices with validation errors, match exceptions, and/or unapproved invoices. Prepare financial reports as required. Provide timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues.
- Maintenance of Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects and recording of deposits in ERP.
Proper maintenance of the filing system.
- Maintain the Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects and follow-up with partners on contributions.
- Ensure timely recording, reconciliation, and submission of VAT claims with relevant TAX authority and following up on VAT reimbursements.
- Act as alternate to Finance Analyst for timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds for disbursements and maintain liquidity level approved by Treasury. Identify and record receipts and create deposits for revenue application on a timely basis.
- Identify and record contributions.
- Prepare timely and accurate bank reconciliations and provide documentation to GSSC according to service level agreement. Initiate bank transfers and deals in ERP.
- Timely identification and recording of contributions and receipts for income application.
- Sharing regular UN exchange rate reports with UN agencies in the country.
- Initiation of bank transfers and deals in the ERP.
- Management of cash receipts, distribution, and petty cash.
- Act as alternate to Finance Analyst for timely preparation of monthly cashflow forecast to ensure sufficient cash balance in local bank account. Liaise with participating UN Agencies to obtain disbursement estimate of their cash requirement.
- Assist in organizing training for the operations/ projects staff on finance, audit and compliance matters, and implementation of Internal Control Framework (ICF).
- Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in financial management.
- Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
- Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
- Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.
Customer Satisfaction/Client Management
Working with Evidence and Data
Knowledge Generation
Accounting (General)
Budget Management
Financial Reporting and Analysis
Audit (General)
Education:
- Secondary Education with specialized certification in accounting and/or Finance is required. Or,
- University degree in Finance or Accounting is desirable.
- Part-qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage. Fully Qualified Accountant, from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy or Full Completion of the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP). No UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) required.
- Candidates with no professional accountancy qualifications, but with degrees that major in accountancy and/or finance must complete UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited. However, no UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) is required. Candidates with no professional accountancy qualifications but with relevant experience must successfully undertake UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT), and must complete the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited.
Experience:
- Minimum 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience at the national or international level is required.
Required skills:
- Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheets and web-based management systems such as ERP financials and database packages.
Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required.
Desired skills:
- Demonstrated experience and knowledge of UNDP Financial Policies and Internal Controls is desired.
- Proven Experience in Budget Management and Cost Recovery is desired.
- Technical Proficiency in Accounting and ERP Systems is desired.
- Previous UN experience is desired.
Languages:
- Fluency in English and Russian and/or Kazakh is required.
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.
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.
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.
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.
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
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