Header

Finance/Asset Associate

UNDP is a key partner to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) and is the UN agency assuming the role of Principal Recipient of GFATM grants in Zimbabwe. In its role as Principle Recipient, UNDP ensures quality financial management, timely procurement of supplies, and efficient monitoring and service delivery.
UNDP‘s management role consists in implementing grants, ensuring financial accountability, and training of national and international counterparts on programme management and financial accountability.
Under the guidance of the Finance Specialist and the daily supervision of the Finance Specialist, the Finance/ Asset Associate is responsible for:
  • Delivery of financial services, transparent utilization of financial resources and management of the projects finances.
  • Delivery of support and supervision services on documentation and management of Global Fund grants assets.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensures administration and implementation of operational strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Full compliance with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations; implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system.
  • Full compliance with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, and policies on assets management recording/reporting and follow-up on audit recommendations; implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of an assets management system.
  • Project Finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Finance in consultation with office management.
  • Elaboration of proposals and implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies in consultations with Project management.

Ensures administration of budgets and functioning of the optimal cost-recovery system focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Support to the preparation of the Project’s Quarterly Report and prepare monthly Cash Flow and annual Cash Flow
  • Forecasts, and statement of sources and uses of funds in compliance with the Global Fund requirements.
  • Forecasts, and statement of sources and uses of funds in compliance with the Global Fund requirements.
  • Prepare monthly disbursement reconciliation and provide variance analysis and recommend remedial actions.
  • Implementation of the control mechanism for projects through monitoring budgets preparation and modifications, budgetary status versus ASL.
  • Sending project budget to KK if authorized by the Senior Management (can be done only on the basis of signed prodocs and project budgets).
  • Presentation of thoroughly researched information for planning of financial resources of the projects, reports containing analysis of the financial situation.

Provides accounting and administrative support to the Project Finance Unit focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Proper control of the supporting documents for payments, review of financial reports for activities implemented by SRs and SSRs
  • Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas; payrolls are duly prepared; travel claims, MPOs and other entitlements are duly processed.
  • Timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.
  • Timely response to requests to resolve financial data issues.
  • Use, retrieve, reconcile and update the finance related databases to ensure accurate and accessible information regarding the payments of SRs, SSRs and suppliers.
  • Support to Government Entities and NGOs (SR / Implementing Partners) to ensure consistency of the monthly/quarterly financial report and disbursement request and the budget execution

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on Finance and asset management
  • Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in Finance.
  • Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Ensure strategic management of all assets funded under the Global Fund grants:

  • In conjunction with PSM and receiving unit responsible for qualitative and quantitative acceptance of asset and preparation of supporting documents for receipt.
  • Record asset in Atlas as per UNDP rules and regulations, allocate an asset ID and tag the asset.
  • Produce a regular asset management report on the status of all assets funded by the grant.
  • Responsible for supporting the periodic asset certification process in liaison with the CO operations Unit.

Provide oversight on grant asset management by SRs/ SSRs:

  • Ensure that all custodians of grant assets are familiar with the UNDP Asset management rules and regulations.
  • In consultation with SRs develop annual asset verification plans and monitor the implementation of these plans.
  • Review regular reports on asset management and status from SRs and highlight issues to management.
  • Conduct regular asset verifications and at least one annual physical inventory of assets for all grants.
  • Track and ensure adequacy of assets insurance in line with UNDP guidelines.

Provide oversight on PMU asset management by PR:

  • Ensure that all PMU assts are recorded Atlas and grant asset register as per UNDP guidelines.
  • Ensure that assets in the custody of PMU staff and employees are recorded and a log of movement of assets is kept.

Responsible for management of asset transfer and disposal:

  • Ensure that transfer of assets to partners is properly documented and in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations
  • Ensure that Atlas and all UNDP records are updated accordingly on transfer or disposal of Assets .
    On loss of assets through theft or damage ensure that cases are properly reported and documented as per the UNDP guidelines for purposes of asset retirement and/ disciplinary action
  • Responsible for submission of Request for Disposal / Transfer to the internal review committee for review and recommendation to the authorizing officer


Competencies

Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies

  • Knowledge Management and Learning
  • Shares knowledge and experience
  • Encourages office staff to share knowledge and contribute to UNDP practice areas
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

  • Ability to perform a broad range of specialized activities related to financial resources management, including formulating budgets, maintaining Accounts Receivables and Accounts Payables, reporting.
  • Sound knowledge of financial rules and regulations, accounting
  • Strong IT skills
  • Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new syste

Leadership and Self-Management:

  • Focuses on 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 complexity

UNDP Accounting and Finance Training and certification

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Secondary Education with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance.
  • University Degree in Finance, Banking or related field will be desirable.At least 5 years of progressively responsible finance experience is required at the national or international level.

Experience:

  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.
  • Experience in assets management will be an added advantage.

Language:

  • Fluency in English with good verbal and written skills.

N.B. UNDP Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and education requirements.

QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.


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. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Finance/Asset Associate