Office/Unit/Project Description 

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels offers a spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in its Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in UNDP’s Strategic Plan.

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS staff provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocates for UNDP corporate messages; represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora, including public-private, government and civil society dialogues; and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.

BPPS’s Hubs on Nature, Climate, Energy and Waste, with the support of the Vertical Fund Programme Support, Oversight and Compliance Unit, works with governments, civil society, and private sector partners to integrate nature, climate, energy and waste related concerns into national and sector planning and inclusive growth policies, support country obligations under Multilateral Environmental Agreements, and oversee the implementation of the UN’s largest portfolio of in-country programming nature, climate change, energy and waste. This multi-billion-dollar portfolio encompasses:

• Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services including forests.
• Sustainable Land Management and Desertification including food and commodity systems.
• Water and Ocean Governance including SIDS.
• Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.
• Sustainable Energy;
• Extractive Industries.
• Chemicals and Waste Management;
• Environmental Governance and Green/Circular Economy and SCP approaches.

This work advances crosscutting themes on innovative finance, digital transformation, capacity development, human rights, gender equality, health, technology, and South-South learning.

In addition to UNDP’s bilateral partnerships in Nature, Climate, Energy and Waste, UNDP is an accredited multilateral implementing agency of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Multilateral Fund (MLF), the Adaptation Fund (AF) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). As part of UNDP’s partnership with these vertical funds (VFs), UNDP’s Vertical Fund Programme Support, Oversight and Compliance Unit supports UNDP’s Nature, Climate, Energy and Waste related Hubs and provides countries specialized integrated technical services for eligibility assessment, programme formulation, capacity development, policy advice, technical assistance, training and technology transfer, mobilization of co-financing, implementation oversight, results management and evaluation, performance-based payments and knowledge management services.

Along with UNDP’s new ERP system (Quantum), a large number of Project Information Management System (PIMS+) MPSU-related financial, budgeting, and reporting modules need to be updated and enhanced linking to multi-data sources and corporate systems. To ensure quality oversight of the VF portfolio, timely and quality donor reporting, the Vertical Fund Programme Support, Oversight, and Compliance Unit is looking to engage a PIMS+ Finance Data and Reporting Specialist to accelerate enhancement of PIMS+ financial modules and to urgently implement audit recommendations.

Scope of Work

The MPSU PIMS+ Finance Data and Reporting Specialist will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Chief of Management and Programme Support Unit (MPSU) in the VF Programme Support Oversight and Compliance Unit. S/he will provide VFs project cycle management services, technical service in managing MPSU PIMS+ functions (e.g. financial workflows/milestones, commitments, budgeting, financial reporting, etc.), conduct portfolio financial data analysis to help the team identify best practices in project cycle management linking to PIMS+ system design.

Technical Support to PIMS+ system development/maintenance linking to Quantum (where MPSU is the business owner) ensuring quality portfolio oversight on financial and budget management.

• Act as MPSU PIMS+ technical focal point under the guidance of the MPSU business owner for the PIMS+ finance modules. Develop specifications, oversee module development, and respond to user inquiries.
• Comprehensive portfolio management, business processes improvement, and quality assurance.
• Monitor PIMS+ data, identify issues, clarify issues, and signal staff and Senior Management team on potential risks, including but not limited to, missing and overdue milestones.
• Conduct wide variety of cost efficiency analyses and produce management reports for decision making.
• Identify digital system needs, issues, and design specifications to ensure coherent business processes related to financial/budget management that may cut across various corporate systems and PIMS+. Design solutions together with other business owners and ITM for Quantum, Quantum+ and other corporate systems to ensure smooth integration with the PIMS+.
• Create and maintain efficient integration with other UNDP systems to ensure effective and efficient financial management of the VF portfolio of projects.
• Design portfolio financial reporting tools based on the VF financial/budget management needs;
• Management and oversight of the technical PIMS+ data gathering and preparation of financial reports to donors.
• Make recommendations and implement improvements to the project cycle and management/oversight, including tools, procedures, and performance dashboards.

Provide and/or support financial data analysis and reports, using PIMS+, Quantum, and other UNDP systems, ensuring quality submission and oversight of Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Global Environment Facility (GEF) portfolio and reports. 

• Efficient management of key financial milestones of the VF project cycle, from Project Identification Form (PIF) approval, CEO/donor approval, Trustee commitments, to financial closure of VF financed projects and cost sharing projects as needed.
• As MPSU focal point, preparation of GEF and GCF reports on the use of VF fees, linking to VF timesheet reports.
• Effective monitoring of project deliveries and ensure VF Fee is released to COs and other Units accurately and timely, linking to PIMS+ and Quantum.
• Preparation of GEF and GCF reports as required.
• Conduct financial portfolio compliance reviews and analysis by region, by technical team, and/or at global level, identify exceptions and implementation issues, and recommend solutions.
• Conduct financial review and clearance on package of required documents, for submissions, Delegation of Authority (DOAs), ProDoc, Local Project Appraisal Committee (LPAC), Budget Revisions and financial closure of projects, as required.
• Provide cost efficiency analysis linking to VF portfolio, timesheet reports, VF fee to UNDP respective Units.
• Support to the annual external audit and internal audit on VF financed projects.
• Monitor the year-end closure and ensure timely and accurate financial reports of all VF financed projects/portfolio are produced with high quality using PIMS+ and other UNDP corporate systems.

Technical Support through conducting training sessions on PIMS+ financial modules and related corporate systems/platforms

• Contribute to MPSU and deliver training sessions on the PIMS+ MPSU owned modules.
• Identify issues and share lessons and best practices on PIMS+ usage.
• Prepare and maintain user guides and other relevant documentation on PIMS+ financial modules.
• Provide prompt and accurate technical guidance to client queries.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangements                                                                                                      

• The incumbent will work remotely from his/her home-base.
• The incumbent will report to the Chief of the Management and Programme Support Unit (MPSU), based in NY, USA and/or his/her designate. S/he will work closely with other staff in the VF Unit and Hubs as appropriate.
• The incumbent will be given access to relevant information necessary for the execution of the tasks under this assignment.
• The incumbent will be responsible for providing her/his own workstation (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must have access to reliable internet connection.
• Given the global consultations to be undertaken during this assignment, the incumbent is expected to be reasonably be flexible with his/her availability for such consultations taking into consideration different time zones.

Competencies

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Academic Education  

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics, or other closely related field is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields of study, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience         

• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services and/or project/programme support focusing on financial, fund, and resource management.

Required skills/knowledge   

• Extensive experience working with an ERP system.
• Extensive experience in developing/maintaining a project/portfolio information management system focusing on financial/budget and reporting modules.
• Extensive experience in, and knowledge of, Vertical Fund financial and programme support management, and reporting.

Desired Skills 

• Demonstrated experience in, and knowledge of Quantum ERP is strongly desired.
• Extensive experience in, knowledge of UNDP policies, procedures and practices is highly desirable.

Required Language(s) (at working level)       

• Fluency in English is required.  Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is an asset.

Travel  

• Mission travel may be required to attend relevant meetings and/or trainings;
• Any necessary mission travel must be approved in advance and in writing by the Chief – MPSU based in New York, USA;
• The BSAFE course must be successfully completed prior to commencement of travel;
• The incumbent is responsible for obtaining any visas needed in connection with travel with the necessary support from UNDP and for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director;
• S/he is required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under https://dss.un.org/dssweb.