Project Finance Analyst, Harare

Location :

Harare, ZIMBABWE

Application Deadline :

18-Feb-14

Additional Category

Poverty Reduction

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Post Level :

SB-5

Languages Required :

English

Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)

01-Apr-2014

Duration of Initial Contract :

one year

Background

The Ministry of Land and Rural Resettlement (MLRR) has developed project: Support to the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement 2014 to 2016 Action Plan. The main objective of the project is to assist the MLRR accelerate the rehabilitation of the land sector as a prerequisite for recovery and development of agriculture and other land based economic sectors.  The project is supported with resources from the UNDP and European Union from 2014 to 2016. The UNDP and EU are fully committed to support the critical elements of this project.  The project will require a Project Finance Analyst.

The Project Finance Analyst (PFA) will be under the direct supervision of the UNDP ARR-Poverty Reduction and HIV/AIDS Mainstreaming Unit, in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement  senior management.  He/she will be based at the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement Block 4, Makombe Complex. He/she will work with the MLRR, sector Government Ministries/departments, UNDP and other relevant stakeholders. The PFA will provide financial analysis and management  to the project in  the delivery of the Project Outputs as follows:

• Output 1: Updated database on inventories of acquired farms;
• Output 2: Consensus based compensation mechanism in place;
• Output 3: Adequate survey control network established;
• Output 4:  Surveyed A2 farm units and updated land information database;
• Output 5:  Land Information System within the Ministry strengthened, effectively managed and coordinated;
• Output 6: Dispute Resolution Framework Developed;
• Output 7: Land Tenure Policy Is Reviewed and Implemented;
• Output 8: Zimbabwe Land Commission is capacitated and functional.

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

• Full compliance with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations; implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system;
• Management of financial cost sharing and trust fund agreements;
• Elaboration of proposals and implementation of cost saving and reduction strategies in consultations with project team;
• Continuous analysis and monitoring of the financial situation, presentation of forecasts for project;
• Routinely monitors financial reports for unusual activities, transactions, and investigates anomalies;

Ensures proper and effective management of Projects’ budgets and optimal cost recovery   system focusing on the achievement of the following results:

•  Project financial resources management through planning, guiding, controlling of the resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations;
• Preparation and monitoring of development projects’ budgets;
• Implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system. Identification of operational and financial problems, proposal of solutions;
• Elaboration of the internal expenditures’ control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in Atlas; travel claims and other entitlements are duly processed;
• Routing monitoring of project costs for the services provided, implementation of the income/ expenditure tracking system and follow up on cost recovery;
• Participation in the projects’ audit and ensure proper follow up of recommendations

Ensures implementation of effective accounting system for resources mobilized focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Elaboration of the framework for accounting resources mobilized from development partners;
• Proper monitoring and utilization of  contributions;
• Provision of advice on reporting, preparation of reports including donor reports;
• Advice to Project Coordinator on different donor reporting requirements; monitoring of financial reports to be submitted to donors.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing on financial matters focusing on the achievement of the following results:

•  Advice to Project Coordinator and Project Team on UNDP administrative and NIM/NEX reporting, in particular, on budgetary issues;
• Advice the Project on financial management and Results Based Management;
• Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in project finance;
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Competencies

 Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
•  Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

• Promotes knowledge management and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development to newly acquired skills;
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources;
• Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manage contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery;
• Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change;
• Strong IT skills;
• Excellent knowledge of financial rules and regulations, accounting;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in accounting and finance, business or public administration, Economics or related area;
•  A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• At least five years of relevant experience at the national and international level in providing management advisory services and/or managing staff and operational systems;
• Knowledge of IPSAS desirable;
• Familiarity with the Results Based Management (RBM) principles in Project/Programme management
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken  English.

UNDP 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.