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Background

The project, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented in partnership with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), aims to consolidate peace and strengthen inclusive governance in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). It does so by enhancing public financial management (PFM) systems and operationalizing BARMM’s unique tri-justice system. The Action focuses on two mutually reinforcing pillars: (i) strengthening public financial management (PFM) systems and data-driven governance (UNDP-led), and (ii) institutionalizing and operationalizing BARMM’s tri-justice system encompassing formal, Shari’ah, and customary justice mechanisms (UNOPS-led).

As the region prepares for its first parliamentary elections, the initiative will support the Bangsamoro Government in advancing institutional reforms that enhance legitimacy, transparency, and service delivery, anchored on the principle of moral governance. The project embeds gender-responsive, conflict-sensitive, and climate-responsive approaches across planning, budgeting, monitoring, and justice delivery to ensure that peace dividends are equitably delivered.

Key interventions include strengthening coordination between regional ministries and local government units (LGUs); integrating planning, budgeting, and monitoring systems; establishing interoperable digital platforms for data sharing and performance tracking; and enhancing citizen participation and accountability mechanisms.

In parallel, the project aims to support the institutionalization of the tri-justice system through strengthened coordination mechanisms, capacity development for justice sector actors, and expansion of community-based and culturally appropriate legal aid, particularly for women, Indigenous Peoples, and conflict-affected communities. Close coordination between UNDP and UNOPS is integral to ensuring coherence between governance, PFM, and justice reforms under the joint programme.

UNDP is looking for a Finance Associate, who will be working under the Project Management Unit (PMU) based in Cotabato CIty. This involves working closely with the UNDP Institutions and Partnerships Programme (I&P) Team, and various key stakeholders to ensure that the project has achieved its intended objectives

Duties and Responsibilities

Finance Associate will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, with oversight from I&P Programme Analyst and guidance by the UNDP Team Leader for Institutions and Partnerships (I&P) Programme.

The Finance Associate will be fully dedicated to the project and responsible for the end-to-end processing of financial transactions in accordance with UNDP’s Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP). This includes preparing payment requests, managing disbursements, maintaining financial records, and ensuring timely and accurate entry of transactions into UNDP systems. 

In addition to transactional responsibilities, the Finance Associate will support the preparation of financial reports in line with donor requirements, ensuring that all supporting documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with both UNDP and donor standards. He/she will coordinate with relevant units to gather financial data and inputs and assist in formatting and organizing reports for submission. 

The Finance Associate will provide effective finance and administrative support to the implementation of the Project and is expected to analyze and interpret the financial rules and regulations of UNDP, as well as other corporate policies and processes on project and procurement management to accelerate the delivery of outputs.

The Finance Associate is expected to provide support in identifying solutions to issues related to finance, logistics, and day-to-day office administrative activities, while promoting a collaborative, client-focused, quality, and results-oriented service.

The Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the Project Manager, Programme, Operations, Finance, and Results and Quality teams to resolve issues related to project delivery. 

1. Support to Project Management and Fund Financial Management focusing on achievement of following results:

• Ensure full compliance with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) and funder (European Union) of financial activities and financial recording/reporting system and implementation of effective internal controls.
• Contribute to the development of the project’s annual work plan and procurement plan.
• Maintain financial integrity and ensure effective use of project resources.
• Maintain the internal expenditures control system, including budget checks and corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers.
• Continuously review the financial situation and support the project in the preparation of forecasts and periodic disbursement requests to be submitted to the donor.
• Perform designated role in management of Quantum system subject to access granted by the UNDP Philippines office.
• Prepare non-PO vouchers for the project and Process documents for cash advance, liquidation, and reimbursements in a timely manner, for submission to and approval of the Project Manager and Programme Team Leader
• Responsible for the preparation of quarterly financial reports and providing advice to project staff on UNDP administrative and programme reporting, particularly on budgetary issues.
• Periodically monitor dashboards and exceptions; and identify remedial actions in coordination with the Project manager.
• Timely preparation of program budget reviews and provision of justifications for budget reallocation / reprogramming requests.
• Preparation and monitoring of budgets; regular analysis and reporting on budget approvals and delivery status.
• Monitor and ensure that donor contributions are properly transferred to UNDP in a timely manner. 
• Work closely with Project Manager, Programme and Finance staff to ensure efficient and transparent use of project resources in line with approved budgets and within UNDP rules and regulations;
• Prepare quality and timely financial reports and other ad hoc financial reports as required by the project, as per UNDP financial rules and regulations and EU requirements, and;
• Coordinate with Programme Team in timely updating of Programme matrices for project monitoring.

2. Support resource mobilization, human resources management, and efficient and effective administrative and logistical services focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensure proper coordination and availability of all project documents for any internal and external audit requirements.
• Ensure all project documents are properly filed and accessible, in collaboration with the Project Assistant, when required by the Project Manager, UNDP, consultants, and other PMU staff; and
• Ensure provision of logistical services, such as arrangement of meetings, workshops, and other Project related events, as well as day-today transportation and mission travel requirements.

3. Support knowledge building, knowledge sharing and capacity building relevant to the project.

• Participate in training and organize briefings on internal procedures for the project staff. Provide support to other capacity building activities, including to the design and delivery of tools, materials for workshops, or platforms that tap into the collective intelligence of communities and mobilize action.
• Provide support in the dissemination and sharing of relevant data and lessons learned within the CO and regionally. Keep pulse on emerging best practices nationally, regionally, and internationally that relate to the work of the assigned project.
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Support compiling and systematizing project knowledge, products and tools as well as their wide distribution to partners.

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

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 Competences:

Administration & Operations 

• Events management (including retreats, training and meetings): Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.
• Documents and records management: Overall document (hard or electronic) management; registry and retention policy including storing and archiving.

Finance     

• Financial planning and budgeting: Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals, including planning, budgeting, forecasting, analysing and reporting.

Business Management    

• Monitoring & Evaluation: Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
• Communication:  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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary Education with specialized certification in accounting and/or Finance. University degree in Finance or Accounting is desirable. Part-qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.  (The degree must state that the major is in accounting or finance. Degrees in Business Administration or Public Administration are not considered equivalent.)
• Fully Qualified Accountant, from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy or Full Completion of the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP). No UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) is required.
• Candidates with no professional accountancy qualifications, but with degrees that major in accountancy and/or finance, must complete UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited. However, no UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) is required.
• Candidate with no professional accountancy qualifications but with relevant experience must successfully undertake UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) and must complete the UNDP Finance and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years (with secondary education) or 4 years (with bachelor´s degree) of demonstrated experience in project/business, financial management, including preparations of budgets, annual workplans, project delivery or progress reports and financial reports.

Required skills and competencies:

• Knowledge on the use of basic information and communications technology (ICT) and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. 

Desired additional skills and competencies:

• At least 4 years’ experience in performing a variety of standard tasks related to screening and collecting of project documentation, projects data entering preparation of revisions, filing, provision of information, and reporting.
• At least 2 years’ experience in handling of web-based management systems and ERP financials, preferably Oracle (Quantum);
• At least 4 years’ experience in admin and finance with foreign aid supported projects, development organizations, non-government organizations or international organization.
• Experience with UN or UNDP financial rules, policies and procedures
• Certifications in finance, accounting and procurement.

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English and Filipino is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

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