Organization: UNDP – United Nations Development Programme
Location: Dhaka
Grade: Level not specified – Level not specified
Occupational Groups:
Operations and Administrations
Banking and Finance
Closing Date: 2024-11-02
Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
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.
Signing of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord in 1997 was a major political achievement, marking the end of a protracted low intensity conflict in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). One of the key government strategies outlined in the 8th Five-Year Plan is to fully implement the provisions of the Peace Accord. The Government of Bangladesh (GOB) aims to implement accelerated development activities in the region. Despite the good intentions and works, the CHT still suffers from its remote location, poverty, and limited infrastructure, impacting essential services such as education, healthcare, and water access. Despite commitments, the CHT institutions haven’t achieved their full potential due mainly to undefined roles and pending elections, hindering effective service delivery and regional governance. The unique biodiversity of the CHT, including forests, wildlife habitats, and waterbodies, is at risk due to the diversion of forest land for population and settlement growth, inappropriate agricultural practices, and climate change.
To continue the momentum of successful implementation of the Promotion of Development and Confidence Building in CHT project (2003–2016) and Strengthening Inclusive Development in CHT project (SID-CHT 2017-2023), MoCHTA and UNDP, with assistance from many development partners, have undertaken a new project titled “Ecosystem Restoration and Resilient Development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (ERRD-CHT)”. The project focuses on enhancing resilient ecosystems, development and governance in the CHT by building community and ecosystem resilience through various development and conservation outputs and activities. Support for resilient livelihoods and micro-enterprises will be combined while conserving ecosystems and biodiversity and improving local governance by empowering local communities, including women and youth and marginalized sections, and institutions in partnerships with the Government of Bangladesh, counterparts, traditional leaders, and development partners.
The ERRD-CHT Project will produce results on four interlinked levels, thereby strengthening the ability of the population to enhance resilience, development and governance that impact the people’s lives and livelihoods. The project will be implemented in all 121 Unions of 26 Upazilas in the three Hill Districts of Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban. In the CHT, nearly 100,000 rural- and urban households will directly benefit from the project. It will include the extreme urban and rural poor and vulnerable groups, including women and youth.
The main objective of ERRD-CHT project is “to strengthen gender-responsive resilience and development through improved governance and ecosystems, and adaptive livelihoods with market access.” which will be achieved through the following four Outputs:
Output 1: Improved and resilient forest ecosystems and livelihoods.
Output 2: Enhanced capacity and institutional building of the CHT institutions and strengthened democratic governance with increased people’s participation, responsive communities and more effective service delivery.
Output 3: Inclusive and gender-responsive learning and empowerment among women and girls.
Output 4: Enabled environment for self-reliant youth development and leadership.
Chittagong Hill Tracts Watershed Co-Management Activity II (CHTWCA II), funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is part of “Ecosystems Restoration and Resilient Development in Chittagong Hill Tracts (ERRD-CHT)” – a project of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs (MOCHTA). The Chittagong Hill Tracts Watershed Co-Management Activity II, within the ERRD-CHT project, is being implemented with the goal: Strengthened gender-responsive local resilience through an integrated ecosystem management approach of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). CHTWCA II Outcome is to strengthen local resilience through an integrated ecosystem management approach that improves wildlife conservation and the governance of natural resources in the CHT.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Finance and Administration Analyst will be a member of the operations team of ERRD-CHT project and under the direct supervision of Project Manager and Chief Technical Specialist and close collaboration with Senior Management and the Country Office Finance Unit. S/he will be based in Rangamati with frequent field visits to other 2 CHT Hill Districts and Dhaka.
S/he will play an interlinking financial and administration coordination and supporting role to all units/teams of the ERRD-CHT project (Forest, Biodiversity and Watershed Management Team, Planning, Monitoring and Reporting Unit, Livelihoods, Climate Change and NRM Team, Gender, Community Cohesion and Women Empowerment Team, and MoCHTA Coordination and Capacity Building Team) in order to achieve his/her deliverables.
Functions / Key Results Expected:
Financial:
Ensure adherence to UNDP/NEX & DEX rules, regulations, policies, and strategies; implement internal control frameworks and proper financial resource management.
Coordinate with USAID on budget and financial-related issues. Submit financial reporting to USAID per the requirements of the UNDP-USAID Agreement.
Provide partner NGOs and other contractors with financial monitoring guidelines and ensure compliance with UNDP accounts, reports, and documentation standards. Provide progress reports and financial information periodically to the Chief Technical Adviser and other relevant parties.
Ensure funds are disbursed on schedule, adhering to procedures, timelines, and budget provisions.
Assist in preparing terms of reference, audit documentation, responses to audit observations, and review of accounts. Review audit reports, implement recommendations, build financial management capacities of implementing partners, and ensure continuous support and compliance.
Ensure proper planning, expenditure tracking, anddit of financial resources in compliance with UNDP rules; oversee cash management, risk assessment, and transaction reconciliation. Monitor the financial status, reporting, and management in field offices, ensuring accurate record-keeping and compliance with financial regulations.
Use and track funding provided by different donors, the Government of Bangladesh and implementing partners to ensure transparent financial procedures at a regional level, and use of USAID funding to meet CHTWCA II objectives.
Administration:
Procurement and Asset Management: Manage procurement activities, maintain asset registers, prepare disbursement documentation, and ensure timely delivery of goods and services related to CHTWCA II.
Technical and Administrative Support: Support the CTA in managing, supervising, and coordinating technical and administrative aspects of the program, including staff management.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Measurable Outputs and Performance Indicators:
# of LoA and or RPA fund requests received and processed for fund disbursement
# Contracts and agreements with partners maintained and documented (hard copies and soft copies)
# training conducted on financial management issues
# of Financial Reports (monthly, quarterly, annual) prepared with required quality and quantity
# of Audit faced with responsive actions
# of visits paid to partners for quality financial monitoring and assurance
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 and Technical competencies:
Business Management
Resource Management. Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with principles of accountability and integrity.
Customer Satisfaction/Client Management. Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers’ needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients’ immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns
Finance
Audit (General). Understands how regulations and professional standards in internal and external audit underpin audit work in 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 practices relating to anti-bribery and corruption controls and the fraud risks faced by public bodies.
Budget Management. Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.
Administration & Operations
Documents and records management. Overall document (hard or electronic) management; registry and retention policy, including storing and archiving.
Business Direction & Strategy
System Thinking. Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
A professional accounting qualification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy, and/or Advanced (Masters) University Degree in Finance and/or Accounting is required. Or a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Candidates with professional accounting qualifications from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
Candidates with no professional accountancy qualifications, but with degrees that major in accountancy and/or finance must complete the Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited.
Candidates satisfying the two above criteria are exempted from undertaking the UNDP Advanced Accountancy and Finance Test (AAFT).
Candidates with MBA or master’s in finance with no accountancy qualification but with relevant experience must successfully undertake the UNDP Advanced Accountancy and Finance Test (AAFT) to be eligible for shortlisting.
Experience:
Minimum 2 years (with Master´s Degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of proven experience in handling/managing financial management and administration within UN, national or international organizations.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.
Strong understanding of accounting principles and practices, including double-entry bookkeeping, general ledger maintenance, and financial statements.
Ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Ability to use software programs like cloud-based accounting systems, QuickBooks or Xero to record transactions, generate reports, and manage accounts.
Advanced proficiency in Excel for data analysis, financial modelling, and creating reports.
Exceptional accuracy and focus to ensure data integrity and minimize errors in financial records.
Clear and concise written and verbal communication to explain financial data and reports to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills to identify trends, interpret financial data, and make recommendations.
Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues from different teams, partners, operations, and management.
Understanding and adherence to relevant financial regulations and internal control procedures.
Experience in Finance Planning, Budgeting & Financial Reporting and Analysis.
Experience working in INGO’s bi-lateral projects or USAID projects, with a multi-donor approach and familiarity working with GoB;
Experience working with GoB organizations, USAID projects and excellent understanding of donor and GoB compliances of financial management
Sound knowledge of financial rules and regulations and accounting in ERP-based financial management.
Strong financial and administrative skills, result and client orientation, and ability to work in a team.
Required languages:
Fluency in English and Bangla is required.
Working knowledge in any of the CHT languages or Chittagong dialects will be an added advantage.
Disclaimer
Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP 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 at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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