Associate Programme Analyst - Finance at United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - UNOCHA

Job ID: 29246
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Practice Area - Job Family: Management - Humanitarian Finance, Capacity Development - Funding
Grade: NOA
Vacancy Type: FTA Local
Posting Type: External
Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension

Background
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affair’s (OCHA) mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to:

• Alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies
• Advocate for the rights of people in need
• Promote preparedness and prevention
• Facilitate sustainable solutions.

In December 1991, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 46/182 designed to strengthen the United Nation's response to both complex emergencies and natural disasters.  In addition, it aimed at improving the overall effectiveness of the UN's humanitarian operations in the field.
 
Organizational Context

• In response to the humanitarian crisis in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in North East Nigeria, the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) was launched in February 2017 by the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator and became operational in June 2017.
• The NHF is a multi-donor pooled fund, a critical source of predictable, quick and flexible funding to address the most urgent humanitarian needs in North East Nigeria.  
• In line with the global Country-based Pooled Funds (CBPFs) guidelines, the NHF has set up a robust, four-pillar accountability framework (partner capacity/performance assessment, monitoring, reporting and audits).
• The framework is set up to progressively improve fund management and increase the accountability towards the affected population, donors and other stakeholders by introducing the risk management approach to the NHF.
• As of 31 December 2019, the NHF has received a US$98.7 million in contributions from 20 donors. 
• The Fund has conducted nine allocations totaling US$88.1 million, funding 174 humanitarian assistance projects being implemented by 39 UN, National NGO and International NGO partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Associate Programme Analyst - Finance, under the guidance of the Head, Humanitarian Financing Unit (HFU), and direct supervision of the NHF International Finance Officer, participates in the overall implementation of the NHF Accountability Framework and works in close collaboration with the HFU staff.
• He/she is expected to travel extensively to the NHF project locations within Nigeria to assist with the implementation of the NHF Accountability Framework, focusing on financial compliance and verification.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Provide support in the allocation and financial management processes of the NHF.
• Provide support in implementing the financial aspects of the NHF Accountability Framework
• Provide support to the implementation of the monitoring pillar of the NHF accountability framework.
• Facilitate knowledge-building and knowledge-sharing on financial monitoring and reporting within OCHA Nigeria and the NHF implementing partners

Provide support in the allocation and financial management processes of the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF):

• Review and advise on the clearance of the project budgets and grant agreements;
• Review and advise on budget amendments or no-cost extension requests;
• Regular follow-up with IP to obtain financial reports;
• Review of interim and final financial reports and supporting documents to ensure compliance with the signed NHF agreements, budgets and guidelines;
• Follow up on disbursement of funds and refund of balances from partners;
• Review of grant agreements and supporting documents to ensure accuracy, consistency, reasonableness, compliance with the United Nations Financial Rules and Regulations (UNFRR) and the Country-based Pooled Funds (CBPF) Guidelines;
• Receipt & review of audit reports from contractors and ensure projects records are updated as necessary.

Provide support in implementing the financial aspects of the NHF Accountability Framework:

• Conduct financial spot-checks in line with the NHF operational modalities;
• Facilitate and provide support during audits, at the project and fund level, as requested, including assistance with vendor contracting, supporting the planning process and assisting in the follow-up of critical audit findings;
• Liaise with partners, NHF/HFU staff and other third parties in verifying expenditure supporting documents during spot-checks, review of financial reports, capacity assessments and audits;
• Assist with the submission and return of Partners’ financial documentation for spot-checks in OCHA field offices.

Provide support to the implementation of the monitoring pillar of the NHF accountability framework:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of monitoring plans in line with allocation funding modalities;
• Participate in planning and actual field project monitoring;
• Participate in the request and review of partner capacity assessments and corresponding status update in Grant Management System (GMS);
• Assist with updating the project monitoring timelines, results and recommendations in the GMS

Facilitate knowledge-building and knowledge-sharing on financial monitoring within OCHA Nigeria and the NHF implementing partners:

• Identify and synthesize financial monitoring best practices, lessons learned and recommendations to be integrated into fund management efforts and channeled into decision-making processes;
• Promote awareness on NHF guidelines, and operational manuals;
• Plan and participate in trainings/workshops to implementing partners and other stakeholders.

Impact of Results:

• The key results have an impact on the overall effectiveness and success of OCHA interventions and activities in providing Humanitarian assistance.  Effective implementations of evaluation policies and strategies, as well as efficient organization and coordination of the evaluation process, enhance the organization’s capacity and credibility in implementation of highly effective programmes with strong impact.

Competencies
Professionalism:

• Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related humanitarian issues, including approaches and techniques to address difficult problems.
• Demonstrates analytical capacity including the ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response.
• Ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems.
• Ability to conduct research, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the humanitarian rights situation in assigned country/area.
• Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery); ability to provide guidance to new/junior staff.
• Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning and Organizing:

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• Advanced (Masters) University Degree in Finance/Accounting, Business, Public Administration or related field is required or a first level university degree with relevant academic qualifications with a combination of 4 years of relevant work experience may exceptionally be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 2 years experience as finance officer or finance manager with an NGO.
• Good knowledge of internal control systems and experience with accounting tools is an asset.
• Experience supervising an audit process an advantage
• Experience delivering financial trainings and workshops an advantage

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Knowledge of Hausa is an advantage