Finance Assistant - G5

Background

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.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background and Organizational Context

UNDP works in around 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) China is the China country office of the United Nations Development Programme – the global development network of the United Nations. UNDP has been working in China over the past 40 years, partnering to advance various phases of China’s development. We provide development advisory services and implement projects through innovation and applying our international experience and network in three pillars: supporting China’s transformation to a low-carbon economy so that more people enjoy a cleaner, healthier environment; facilitating China’s shift to using the SDGs as a standard for its inclusive development, economic decisions and investments, and supporting China’s international cooperation and south south engagement for SDG attainment.

Position Purpose:

Under the guidance and supervision of the Finance Analyst, the Finance Assistant provides financial services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. The Finance Assistant promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Finance Assistant works in close collaboration with the operations and programme staff in the country office and with UNDP HQs staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.

The key results have an impact on the execution of the CO financial services and management in terms of quality and accuracy of work. Accurate data entry and presentation of financial information and a client-oriented approach enhances UNDP’s capability to effectively and efficiently manage financial resources.
Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure implementation of operational strategies and procedures

Full compliance of financial processes and financial records with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies.
Input to the CO business processes mapping and implementation of the content of internal
Standard Operating Procedures in Finance.
Assistance in preparation of financial analyses and related reports.

Ensure functioning of bank signatory maintenance and bank reconciliation

Liaison with local bank to get bank statement and forward to GSSU, follow up the outstanding items per bank reconciliation result.

Maintenance of office bank signatory system and records. Liaison with bank to resolve the issues related to office account in local bank.

Provide accounting and administrative support

Processing of payments related to the UNDP country office administrative budget (e.g. procurement, utility and telephone bills, etc).
Processing of payments on behalf of other UN agencies.
Processing of payments related to the UNDP-supported projects (as assigned by the supervisor).
Processing of refund of value-added tax (VAT) for the country office and international staff.
Alternate to finance team to process local disbursement per Pay Cycle report from GSSU.
Maintenance of the proper filing system for financial records and documents.
Provide finance support to UN agencies and ensure timely to collect cost recovery for all service rendered
Support the Finance Analyst for preparation and review of audit documents

Ensure proper CO cash management

Alternate to Finance Analyst for timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds on hand for disbursements. Timely identification and recording of receipts for income application.
Alternate to Finance Analyst for daily review of zero-balance account bank statements in Atlas to monitor imprest level; identification and recording of contributions.
Preparation of monthly UN exchange rate report to CO related users.
Management of office petty cash, timely submitting liquidation and replenishment.
Initiation of bank transfers and deals.

Support knowledge building and sharing in the CO

Participation in the trainings for the operations/projects staff on Finance.
Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Competencies:

Core

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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Audit:

Understands how regulations and professional standards in internal and external audit underpin audit work in the public services. Understands the key stages of audit work, including planning, documentation, testing and reporting. Ability to examine and verify accounts and records. Understands wider mechanisms for assurance and scrutiny. Understands the law and best practice relating to antibribery and corruption controls and the fraud risks faced by public bodies

Accounting:

Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks, standards, regulations, policies and trends, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations

Treasury cash management:

Ability to manage organization's cash and investment holdings with the ultimate goal of maximizing liquidity and mitigating risks. Understands the economic environment, interest rates and the importance of economic forecasting. Understands and can implement a treasury management strategy, including cash flow management, debt management and investment strategies

Contribution management:

Ability to receive, record, report and manage contributions received

Banking and cash management:

Ability to collect, handle, and manage cash, which involves assessing market liquidity, cash flow, and investments

Financial communication and impact:

Ability to report financial information clearly to nonfinance leaders, including to various governing bodies such as the Executive Board. > Willingness to make, 20 UNDP | People for 2030 – Competency Framework – Technical Competencies communicate and implement difficult decisions based on accurate evidence and reflecting varied advice/viewpoints. > Understands how to clearly communicate sometimes complex financial information to others using easy-to-understand media and language. > Challenges effectively and gives and receives constructive feedback. > Negotiates effectively to ensure optimum balance between best outcomes and best value for public funds.

Required Skills and Experience:

Education:

Secondary Education with specialized certification in Accounting and Finance is required. University Degree in Business or Public Administration would be considered.
Longlisted candidates may be required to undertake the UNDP AFT test.

Experience:

5 years (with Secondary education) or 2 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant accounting and financial experience at national level is required.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.
Fluency in English and Chinese.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Candidates selected pursuant to this vacancy may be subject to UNDP’s policy on Probation upon assignment.