National Post, Programme Finance Associate G7, Suva Fiji

The Position:

The Programme Finance Associate position is located in the UNFPA Pacific Sub-Regional Office in Fiji and reports directly to the Programme Specialist. S/he provides financial and programmatic support to strengthen programme delivery and management.

The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the operations, programme and project staff in the sub-regional office, as well as directly in support of implementing partners as may be required for resolving complex finance-related issues and exchange of information.  You will report directly to the Fiji Programme Analyst.  S/he delivers high quality and accurate financial and administrative services to internal and external clients mastering all relevant rules, guidelines, processes and procedures.  The Programme Finance Associate takes a client oriented, result focused approach to interpreting the rules, procedures and guidelines providing support and guidance to the SRO, country offices and UNFPA supported projects. 

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s global Strategic Plan (2022-2025) focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture UNFPA’s strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action in the last Decade of Action to achieve Agenda 2030 including the SDGs. UNFPA Strategic Plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations, and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of health pandemics and climate crises on women’s and young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction. UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results. 

Job Purpose:

The Programme Finance Associate will support the implementation of programmes in Fiji aligned to the MCP7 of the Pacific Sub-regional Office. This may involve donor funds from multiple sources.

The Programme Finance Associate plays a pivotal role between Programme and Operations in the design, planning and management of the Fiji programme, through analysis and provision of financial information, ensuring appropriate monitoring of projects and AWPs, gathering of data for decision making regarding programme implementation, and supporting human resources such as consultancy recruitments. The Programme Finance Associate also works in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations teams to ensure timely support to SRO on programming and financial matters.  

You would be responsible for: 

A. Programme Oversight

• Provide administrative support in the preparation of programme work plans, budgets, and proposals on programme implementation arrangements;
• Provide technical guidance to staff of both UNFPA and implementing partner organisations, on routine delivery and reporting of programme supported activities and finances; 
• Prepare information for the audit of the programmes and support implementation of audit recommendations  
• Coordinate and prepare regular inputs for the submission of reports, both substantive and financial on regional programmes, and reports monitoring and evaluation
• Supporting the monitoring of project activities, establishing ways to assess achievement and recommending corrective action as required; conducting field visits; participating in review meetings and monitoring missions, including the Spot Check of Implementing Partners and preparing regular inputs to status and progress reports.
• Review mission reports and follow up the implementation of action points and recommendations
• Support human resource recruitment such as contracting consultants and monitoring contracts 

 

B. Financial Management

• Assist in the efficient management of the UNFPA  financial and budgetary applications, adherence to financial controls and corporate financial policies, rules and regulations;
• Coach/train implementing partners on UNFPA financial rules and regulations to be followed
• Monitor status of the Operating Fund Accounts (OFA) and propose action for the timely clearance of the expenditures;
• Examine requests for payments and advances, Purchase Orders and Requisitions, payments and other financial/administrative processes to ensure that they are well supported, and adhere to the correct official procedures;
• Create projects in Atlas, prepare budget revisions, revise project awards and status; and determine unutilized funds and the operational and financial close of joint programme;
• Provide administrative support in monitoring budget preparation and the finances of joint programmes; including the finalization of FACE forms;
• Review financial reports; prepare non-PO vouchers for development projects;
• Process payment for consultants; 
• Maintain internal expenditures control system;
• Create requisitions in Atlas for development projects; register good receipts in Atlas;
• Assist in the preparation and follow up of cost-recovery bills in Atlas.
• Generate financial reporting for UNFPA across all relevant programmes.

C. General Administrative Management 

• Undertake all logistical, administrative and financial arrangements for organization for meetings, workshops, events, and missions; 
• Make travel arrangements for the Programme Team, including travel requisitions and claims;  
• Maintain control of travel claims ensuring accuracy and compliance in a timely manner; 
• Obtain quotations for all the processes of acquisition of goods and services (micro purchasing);
• Prepare public information materials and briefing packets;  
• Assemble briefing materials and prepare power-point and other presentations; 
• Design and maintain programme/project files for development, implementation, and evaluation purposes and ensure proper knowledge management of programme tools, guidelines, publications and best practices.

Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership. 

Qualifications and Experience 

Education:  

• Completion of secondary level or an equivalent high school education is required.
• A first level University Degree (Bachelors) in Business Administration, Management, Public Administration, Accounting, Finance or a related field is desirable. 
• Recognized training and/or certification in basic financial principles is an asset. 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Minimum of Seven (7) years of relevant experience in the data support management systems and financial management in the private, public sector and/or in an international organization is required. 
• Prior work experience in providing similar support to programmes and projects within the United Nations and/or an International Organization is desired; 
• Strong organizational skills; 
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment respecting diversity of work teams
• Sound interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to use analytical tools and logic to gather, define information, situations, problems, and draw logical conclusions to the data; 
• Make timely and appropriate decisions, taking into consideration, various and complex issues. 
• Computer Skills: Proficient in MS Office Packages, databases and the Internet 

Languages: 

Fluency in English is required. Fluency in the local Pacific language is an advantage.

 

Required Competencies 

 

Compensation and Benefits 

 

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance, pension, dependency allowances, annual/sick leave and other benefits as applicable.

Disclaimer 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm

Notice: 

UNFPA 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and Benefits

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance, pension, dependency allowances, annual/sick leave and other benefits as applicable.

Disclaimer 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm