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.

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to tackle the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change on a global scale. Working with our broad network of experts, host governments, and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and the rule of law.

Following the power shift in August 2021, the situation for the country remains largely uncertain and fragile, with approximately seventy percent of the population facing multifaceted vulnerabilities affecting their well-being, human security, and long-term development. While nearly 20 million people are estimated to be acutely food insecure, women and girls are increasingly stripped of their rights to education, employment, and free participation in public life that will have irreversible socioeconomic consequences. Over the recent years, the international humanitarian assistance has played a vital role in averting a socioeconomic collapse by providing lifesaving, resilience-building, and livelihoods-sustaining assistance to millions of people, hundreds of critical healthcare and educational centers, and tens of thousands of small and medium enterprises, often managed by women. Nevertheless, the humanitarian challenge in Afghanistan, which is one of the biggest in the world, and basic human needs and priorities remain extremely high. In 2024, 95 percent of the households experienced at least one shock of an economic or natural disaster nature such as floods, droughts, and others.

To help tackle the pressing challenges of rebuilding livelihoods and climate resilience, UNDP is designing fit-for-purpose portfolios of programs to create new livelihoods, income opportunities, basic services, and to build resilience against climate-induced natural calamities that continue to haunt millions of households in the country.

Afghanistan remains one of the most gender-unequal countries in the world, with women facing systemic challenges hindering their access to education and employment opportunities in the public sector and restricting their participation in public life. UNDP remains committed to women's empowerment through capacity-building initiatives, livelihoods, and self-employment employment support, enhancing gender-responsive decision-making at community level, and supporting local communities to include women, in line with UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace, and Security).

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. This is a recognition of the interconnected nature of development risks and crises that the world is facing and that calls for assembling multidisciplinary teams for an integrated and systemic response. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

As a trusted, long-term partner of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund, GF), UNDP’s value proposition lies in providing an integrated package of development solutions to strengthen institutions to deliver health services. Through its contributions as interim Principal Recipient and provider of technical assistance in over 53 countries since 2003, UNDP’s provision of integrated policy, implementation and capacity development support to countries has yielded significant health and development results in challenging operating environments. In Afghanistan, UNDP is the interim Principal Recipient (PR) for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and health systems, with a budget of approximately $70 million.  For effective implementation of the Global Fund resources, UNDP Afghanistan has established a Program Management Unit (PMU), which is responsible for the day-to-day overall programme management, risk management, policy guidance, financial accountability, procurement of goods, including health products and services, strengthening of the national pharmaceutical and laboratory supply chain systems.

Under direct supervision of the Finance Specialist, the Finance Assistant will provide financial management, general administrative support, and capacity building. This will be done in accordance with UNDP rules, policies and procedures, the grant agreement, and corporate agreements with the GF, and working in partnership with national and provincial stakeholders, Sub-recipients (SRs) and close coordination with the GF (including Local Fund Agent), technical partners and UN entities, and the GF/HST. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Support administration of the Global Fund Grant budget focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Support an efficient financial flow process and timely payments of the goods and services required by SRs for the implementation of the Programme activities. 
• Prepare detailed budget information of the Global Fund approved components. 
• Follow up on the budget execution Sub-recipients (SRs) and other implementing partners. 
• Prepare monthly account reconciliation. 
• Prepare budget revisions, as required and maintain updated the projects information in Quantum. 
• Support the design of a reporting system for internal and GF needs and prepare periodic reports as required. 
• Support preparation of project financial reports in compliance with the Global Fund requirements and the periodic Disbursements Requests to be submitted to the Local Fund Agent/Global Fund for the replenishment of the PR account.
• Analyse and provide reasons for the budget variances between the actual and budgeted expenditures.
• Prepare for annual audits of PR and SRs as required by the GF and ensure that external auditors have all relevant information. Follow up on audit reports to ensure that recommendations in audit reports are implemented. 
• Effect payments using Quantum, ensuring accuracy of computation and completeness of supporting documentation and preparing for payments (check and bank transfer) 
• Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted; travel claims, and other entitlements are duly processed. 
• Presentation of information on the status of financial resources as required. 
• Maintenance of the proper filing system for finance records and documents

Assist proper cash management system functioning focusing on achievement of the following results: 

• Timely and accurate preparation of cash reconciliations 

Support facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the PMU focusing on the following results:

• Organization of training for the operations/programme/projects staff on financial management.
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in financial management.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Institutional Arrangement:

The Finance Assistant will work under the overall guidance of the Finance Specialist to ensure the provision of effective and efficient financial management activities.  
 

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 competencies

Finance

Accounting (General): Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks, standards, regulations, policies and trends, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations 

Financial planning and budgeting: Ability to support in creating and managing the processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analyzing and reporting.

Finance business partnering: Able to support business units and add value by innovating and providing solutions to financial issues/queries, including through FAQs, financial tools, advisory, etc. Influences and appropriately challenges non-finance colleagues for whom the service is being provided. Understands the operations, opportunities and challenges of the organization. Holds a commercial outlook, demonstrating accountability towards organizational goals.

Financial reporting and analysis: Understands changes in regulatory, legal, and ethical frameworks and standards for financial reporting in the public sector. Ability to extract, evaluate financial data, derive. relevant findings and present them in a meaningful and coherent manner to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring. Understands the benefits of integrated reporting, including nonfinancial resources such as human, social, and intellectual capital, and environmental and governance performance.
 

Business management

Result Based Management: Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.

Resource Management: Allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with business needs and priorities and principles of accountability and integrity.

Risk Management: Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks.

Education:

• Secondary education with specialized certification in accounting and/or Finance. 
• University degree in Finance or Accounting desirable. Part-qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage. Candidates with accountancy certification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage. Candidates without certification but relevant experience must complete the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP) if recruited.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years (with secondary education) or 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible Finance and Accounting experience at the national or international level is required. 

Required skills and competencies

• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheets and web-based management systems such as ERP financials and database packages. 

Desired additional skills and competencies

• Knowledge of Global Fund’s financial policies and procedures.
• Experience working in/with international donor-funded projects with finance duties. 
• Solid experience in working with a multi-cultured group of people and systems in high-pressure environments. 
• Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS.
• Experience with ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft.
• Knowledge and experience working in the UN or UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Interested applicants can apply by clicking the link below or by copying and pasting the link into their browsers to access the application for the post.

Finance Assistant - UNDP Careers

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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