Finance Associate (Open to Tier 3 Applicants)

United Nations Development Programme; Islamabad; On-site; PKR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

United Nations Development Programme in Pakistan is seeking a Finance Associate to support financial services and ensure transparent utilization of resources. The role collaborates with Operations, Programme, and project staff to resolve finance-related issues.

The successful candidate will oversee transactions, support cost recovery, and contribute to financial closure while promoting knowledge sharing within the team.

Qualifications

• Secondary Education with specialized certification in accounting and/or Finance is required.
• University degree in Finance or Accounting will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
• Fully Qualified Accountant, from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy or FTCP completion is desirable.
• Experience with ERP systems and financial software is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review transactions for compliance with POPP and internal controls.
• Prepare and verify supporting documents and accounting fields.
• Coordinate with projects and GSSC to resolve issues in transactions.
• Monitor aged accounts and coordinate with projects for resolution.
• Review dashboards to monitor CO-level compliance.
• Support data collection, billing, and cost recovery efforts.
• Assist in financial closure milestones and reporting.

Skills

Financial analysis

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Education

Secondary Education in accounting/finance

University degree in Finance or Accounting

FTCP/Qualified Accountant

Tools

MS Word

Excel

ERP financials

Database packages

Oracle Cloud ERP

Job description

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet.
In Pakistan, UNDP is working with the Government of Pakistan, civil society, national partners, and the people of Pakistan to help find solutions to persistent development challenges. Its work derives from and contributes to four outcome areas of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023-2027) which include: governance; sustainable, inclusive and green economic transformation; climate change resilience and environment; and gender equality and women’s empowerment. Supported by enablers, UNDP uses a portfolio approach in Pakistan, triangulating structural transformation, leaving no one behind, and building resilience.
UNDP's country programme document for Pakistan envisions that all Pakistani people are educated and healthy, their well-being promoted and protected through economic opportunities, jobs and a climate-resilient future in a country where women and girls are safe and able to exercise their rights and to put their trust in and benefit from improved governance.
Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and supervision of head of the Financial Resources Management Unit, the Finance Associate ensures effective execution of financial services and processes in the Country Office and transparent utilization of financial resources. The incumbent promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The key duties and responsibilities are listed below.

i. Perform oversight function on transactions under FRMU’s portfolio

• Review financial transactions to ensure compliance with POPP.
• Ensure all supporting documents, Chart of accounts, and required accounting fields are accurate & complete.
• Coordinate with projects and GSSC on resolution of issues for accounting transactions.
• Monitor aged accounts and coordinate with projects to resolve bottlenecks.
• Review different dashboards to monitor compliance at the CO level.

ii. Support the team with effective cost recovery measures

• Coordinate with Operations team for data collection on services provided to UNDP projects and agencies.
• Ensure timely generation of bills and their respective recovery from clients.
• Follow-up with projects and agencies for timely settlement of bills and recording of recovered costs.
• Support the team in coordinating the workload study and streamlining the DES/DPC working.

iii. Support team on financial closure

• Ensure all key milestones on financial closure are achieved with quality and timelines.
• Follow up on issues arising from the Integrated Finance Dashboard.
• Regular review and rectification of errors in restricted GL Accounts, specifically expense, asset & liability accounts.
• Coordinate with project finance staff/personnel for timely resolution of issues.

IV. Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in financial management.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

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

Institutional Arrangement

The Finance Associate under the direct supervision of head of the Financial Resources Management Unit and works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme, and projects’ staff in the CO and GSSC staff to exchange information and resolve finance-related issues

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

• Project Management
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Security Services

• Security advice, planning and coordination
  • Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.

Finance

• Financial risk management
  • Ensures financial resilience through proactive assessment of risk, implementation of controls and taking mitigating action. Understands risk and reward in relation to collaborative and commercial projects. Ensures a culture of positive risk management.
• Anti-fraud and anti-bribery & corruption
  • Anti-bribery and corruption: Understands the policy and best practice relating to anti-bribery and corruption controls and ensures these are implemented and widely understood within the organization. Anti-fraud: Understands the fraud risks faced by public bodies and is able to effectively analyse data to support fraud identification and fraud risk management; understands the fraud risks faced by public bodies and is able to conduct fraud risk assessment and response plan.
• Accounting(General)
  • Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks, standards, regulations, policies and trends, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
    

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary Education (high school) with specialized certification in accounting and/or Finance is required.
• University degree in Finance or Accounting will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.(The degree must state that the major is in accounting or finance. Degrees in Business Administration or Public Administration are not considered equivalent).
• Part-qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
• 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) 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.
  

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience at the national or international level is required.
• 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 is required.
• Experience and knowledge in quality financial reviews of Payments, Accounting documents, internal/external auditing is required.
• Experience and knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required.
• Experience with Oracle Cloud ERP is desired.
• Experience in preparing financial reports, analytical reports and financial forecasting/projections is desired.
• Experience of financial closure is desired.

Languages:

• Fluency in the English and Urdu languages 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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