Job Vacancies at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Location: Abuja (with possibility of a roster for other states in Nigeria)
Grde: SB5
Job Schedule: Full time
Vacancy Type: Service Contract Holders
Contract Duration: 10 months
Practice Area: Crisis management / Country Management Support
Agency: UN Office on Drugs & Crime
Bureau: Regional Bureau for Africa

Job Description

• This position is located in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Office Abuja Nigeria (CONIG).
• Under the overall guidance of the UNODC Representative and the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator under the respective project based in Abuja, the incumbent will assist project management and implementation in line with written guidelines and instructions developed by UNODC on project cycle management and project implementation.
• The incumbent will work in close collaboration with other colleagues of the project, in CONIG and at Headquarters of UNODC, to create synergy and achieve full coordination of project activities and effective project partnerships, especially with the project’s Nigerian stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities
The incumbent will carry out the following tasks:

• Provide substantive and organizational coordination and liaison with relevant authorities and international partners for project activities focused on UNODC mandate areas.. Coordinate and liaise regularly on project activities planning and implementation with relevant national partners (including designated focal points and other senior professionals), and regional/international partners present in Nigeria. Facilitate the smooth and effective flow of communication with national entities, by maintaining regular contact, providing required information, etc. Support the Programme Officer and project staff in following-up communication with beneficiary institutions, including official letters, request for technical assistance, and the process of identifying participants and national experts, including trainers, for activities under the project.
• Provide substantive support to meetings, training, conferences and workshops, including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparing of documents and presentations, etc. Advise the Programme Officer and project staff of national and local considerations and realities in Nigeria for proper and effective project implementation, as well as on ways to strengthen partnerships with beneficiary institutions.
• Coordinate the implementation and monitoring of the project according to approved project document/revisions, valid donor funding agreements, valid policies and financial rules and regulations, and costed work plan/s; identify bottlenecks, propose and take corrective actions in consultation with senior management. Provide substantive input for the planning, preparation, organization and implementation of project activities. 
• Monitoring of ongoing project expenditures and utilization of funds related to the project and ensure compliance with United Nations (UN) financial rules and regulations, initiate project and/or budget revisions when required.
• Prepare and disseminate costed workplans, terms of reference and other related project documentation, in close collaboration with relevant CONIG and Headquarters focal points. Maintain close working relationships with relevant administrative and project counterparts in order to facilitate meeting of work plan, travel plan and procurement plan deadlines for delivery. Identify procurement needs (goods and services) and support the full procurement cycle of the various options.
• Research, analyze and present information gathered from diverse sources, relevant for project implementation related to the respective substantive field. Prepare various written outputs, e.g. briefing notes for senior management, sections of UN/UNODC reports such as UNODC Annual Report, ensure quality inputs to publications, websites and other reports. 
• Prepare and submit for approval substantive and financial reports, semi-annual and annual project progress reports, inputs to Quarterly Field Reports (QFRs), annual reports to donors.
• Participate in or support field missions (e.g. Monitoring & Evaluation missions), including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and draft mission reports, and ensure follow-up action.
• Provide guidance in drafting new project concepts and documents in relation to the respective project portfolio, in order to diversify its programme (in line with the Regional Programmes, UNODC Menu of Services and UNODC strategic frameworks) for circulation with potential partners/donors.
• Perform any other work-related duties as required/assigned.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• An advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Law, Criminology, Conflict Resolution or other relevant Human, Social or Political Area, is required.
• A first-level University Degree in similar fields in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience in project/programme management or administration within the area of rule of law and criminal justice, or a related field, at the national level is required.
• Work experience in substantive liaison and coordination at national and regional level is highly desirable.
• Working experience in areas related to the fight against transnational organised crime is desirable.
• Working experience within the United Nations system or similar international organization is an advantage.

Competencies:

• Professionalism: Demonstrated professional competence in programme management and implementation, ideally with a focus on criminal justice matters; ability to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues. Shows pride in work and in achievements; 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:  Proven interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Works collaboratively with colleagues within and outside of UNODC to achieve organizational goals; solicits inputs by genuinely valuing others ideas and expertise; demonstrates willingness 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 & Organizing: Able to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate, and monitor work while prioritizing competing demands; able to work on tight deadlines; knowledge on how to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and projects as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Language:

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Required Skills:

• Programme Management
• Reporting
• Use of Microsoft Office package.

go to method of application »

Background

• UNDP CO in Nigeria needs to engage a Finance Associate to fill a vacant position in the Finance Unit due to a gap. Under the guidance and supervision of the Head of Finance team, the Finance Associate ensures effective execution of financial services and processes in CO and transparent utilization of financial resources. The Finance Associate promotes a 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 other UN Agencies and with UNDP HQs staff for resolving finance-related issues and information exchange.
• The key results have an impact on the overall execution of the CO financial services and success in implementation of operational strategies.  Accurate analysis and presentation of financial information ensures proper financial processes in the CO.

Duties and Responsibilities
Ensures implementation of operational and financial management strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance with UN/UNDP rules and regulations of financial processes, financial records and reports and audit follows up; implementation of the effective internal control framework.
• 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.
• Provision of inputs for implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies in consultation with the office management.
• Preparation of cost sharing and trust fund agreements, follow up on contributions within the CO resource mobilization efforts.

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

• Preparation and modifications of budgets for UNDP management projects, follow-up with HQs on ASL for management projects.
• Presentation of researched information for planning and status of financial resources of the CO.
• Sending project budget to KK if authorized by the Senior Management (can be done only based on signed prodocs and project budgets).
• Timely preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the services provided by UNDP, implementation of the income tracking system and follow up on cost recovery.

Provides accounting and administrative support to the Finance Unit and performs Global payroll functions focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Proper control of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports for NIM projects; Preparation/Finalized of all types of payment requests to be submitted to GSSC for creation/approval for vouchers; Follow up for Pay Cycle and payments execution.
• Global payrolls processing in Atlas by preparing and submitting to GSSC the File approved of one time Earning and deductions. Follow up the payroll until the signoff and sending the bank transfer to the bank. 
• 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 and processed; submits to GSSC all TRs outstanding travel tickets for payment, MPOs and other entitlements are duly processed
• Timely accounts closure
• Follow up weekly all payment requests in Atlas and timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.
• Timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues.
• Timely corrective actions on erroneous data in Atlas. Preparation of financial reports as required.
• Maintenance of the Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects and follow-up with Agencies contributions to Common Services, Submit to GSSC the deposits creation in Atlas and their application to AR pending items.

Ensures proper CO cash management functioning focusing on achievement of the following results: 

• Support drafting and use of blogs, social media, and communities of practice to ensure wide dissemination of positions, events, debates on programmatic work and related issues
• Support continuous analysis and collation of lessons learnt, best practices and impact in the area of communications for development
• Support the drafting and dissemination of project reports to donor partners, Government, private sector and other relevant partners
• Finance Associate 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.
• Finance Associate 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 Treasury.
• Timely and accurate preparation of bank reconciliations by submitting bank statements to GSSC, follow up all bank transactions with local bank.
• Finance Associate for timely preparation of monthly cashflow forecast for use by Finance Analyst. Liaison with UN Agencies to obtain estimate of their cash requirement. 
• Submit to GSSC Paycycle the request for creation and approval for deals in Atlas after the estimation for cash needs.

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
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in financial management.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• 6 years of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience is required.

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 and ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft. Knowledge of IPSAS required.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in oral and written English; knowledge of other official UN languages is desirable.

Required Skills:

• Accounting
• PEOPLESOFT Skills
• Use of Software Packages

Competencies
Core Competencies:

• 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:
Thematic Area - Name:

Business Management - Communication:

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social
• media and other appropriate channels

Business Management - Partnership Management:

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Business Development - UNDP Representation:

• Ability to represent UNDP and productively share UNDP knowledge and activities; advocate for UNDP, its values, mission and work with various constituencies

Business Development - Knowledge Generation:

• Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need

Business Management - Digital Awareness and Literacy:

• Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skilfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed

Business Management - Partnerships Management:

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Business Development - Integration within the UN:

• Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations

go to method of application »

Background

• UNDP CO in Nigeria needs to engage a Finance Associate to fill a vacant position in the Finance Unit due to a gap. Under the guidance and supervision of the Head of Finance team, the Finance Associate ensures effective execution of financial services and processes in CO and transparent utilization of financial resources. The Finance Associate promotes a 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 other UN Agencies and with UNDP HQs staff for resolving finance-related issues and information exchange.
• The key results have an impact on the overall execution of the CO financial services and success in implementation of operational strategies.  Accurate analysis and presentation of financial information ensures proper financial processes in the CO.

Duties and Responsibilities
Ensures implementation of operational and financial management strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance with UN/UNDP rules and regulations of financial processes, financial records and reports and audit follows up; implementation of the effective internal control framework.
• 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.
• Provision of inputs for implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies in consultation with the office management.
• Preparation of cost sharing and trust fund agreements, follow up on contributions within the CO resource mobilization efforts.

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

• Preparation and modifications of budgets for UNDP management projects, follow-up with HQs on ASL for management projects.
• Presentation of researched information for planning and status of financial resources of the CO.
• Sending project budget to KK if authorized by the Senior Management (can be done only based on signed prodocs and project budgets).
• Timely preparation of cost-recovery bills in Atlas for the services provided by UNDP, implementation of the income tracking system and follow up on cost recovery.

Provides accounting and administrative support to the Finance Unit and performs Global payroll functions focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Proper control of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports for NIM projects; Preparation/Finalized of all types of payment requests to be submitted to GSSC for creation/approval for vouchers; Follow up for Pay Cycle and payments execution.
• Global payrolls processing in Atlas by preparing and submitting to GSSC the File approved of one time Earning and deductions. Follow up the payroll until the signoff and sending the bank transfer to the bank. 
• 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 and processed; submits to GSSC all TRs outstanding travel tickets for payment, MPOs and other entitlements are duly processed
• Timely accounts closure
• Follow up weekly all payment requests in Atlas and timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.
• Timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues.
• Timely corrective actions on erroneous data in Atlas. Preparation of financial reports as required.
• Maintenance of the Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects and follow-up with Agencies contributions to Common Services, Submit to GSSC the deposits creation in Atlas and their application to AR pending items.

Ensures proper CO cash management functioning focusing on achievement of the following results: 

• Support drafting and use of blogs, social media, and communities of practice to ensure wide dissemination of positions, events, debates on programmatic work and related issues
• Support continuous analysis and collation of lessons learnt, best practices and impact in the area of communications for development
• Support the drafting and dissemination of project reports to donor partners, Government, private sector and other relevant partners
• Finance Associate 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.
• Finance Associate 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 Treasury.
• Timely and accurate preparation of bank reconciliations by submitting bank statements to GSSC, follow up all bank transactions with local bank.
• Finance Associate for timely preparation of monthly cashflow forecast for use by Finance Analyst. Liaison with UN Agencies to obtain estimate of their cash requirement. 
• Submit to GSSC Paycycle the request for creation and approval for deals in Atlas after the estimation for cash needs.

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
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in financial management.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• 6 years of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience is required.

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 and ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft. Knowledge of IPSAS required.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in oral and written English; knowledge of other official UN languages is desirable.

Required Skills:

• Accounting
• PEOPLESOFT Skills
• Use of Software Packages

Competencies
Core Competencies:

• 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:
Thematic Area - Name:

Business Management - Communication:

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social
• media and other appropriate channels

Business Management - Partnership Management:

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Business Development - UNDP Representation:

• Ability to represent UNDP and productively share UNDP knowledge and activities; advocate for UNDP, its values, mission and work with various constituencies

Business Development - Knowledge Generation:

• Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need

Business Management - Digital Awareness and Literacy:

• Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skilfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed

Business Management - Partnerships Management:

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Business Development - Integration within the UN:

• Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations