Project Operations and Finance Analyst

Global Roles; Islamabad; On-site; PKR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

Global Roles is seeking a Project Operations and Finance Analyst in Pakistan to oversee financial management, budgeting and operational coordination for Rule of Law Programme implementation. The role involves planning, forecasting, reporting, risk management and ensuring compliance with donor requirements.

You will prepare budgets, monitor expenditures, provide financial analyses and coordinate across procurement, HR and logistics to ensure timely delivery and value for money.

Qualifications

• Professional accounting qualification or MBA/Finance with relevant experience
• Two years of relevant experience with master’s degree, four years with bachelor’s
• Experience in budget planning, forecasting and financial analysis
• Experience implementing donor-funded programmes and complying with donor rules
• Experience with audits, financial reviews and internal controls

Responsibilities

• Manage financial planning, budgeting and forecasting for the programme
• Prepare and consolidate budgets, workplans and financial plans
• Produce financial forecasts and cash-flow projections
• Monitor budget utilization and variances across activities
• Prepare budget revisions and financial adjustments per donor requirements
• Provide timely financial advice to programme management
• Link financial planning with workplans and programme priorities
• Monitor expenditures, commitments, advances and balances
• Review financial transactions for completeness and compliance
• Produce budget-versus-expenditure analyses and reports
• Coordinate financial reporting for donor and management
• Support internal audits and risk management activities
• Maintain organized financial records for audits and oversight
• Support training on finance compliance and internal controls
• Liaise with UNDP country office finance and operations teams
• Contribute to knowledge sharing and continuous improvement

Skills

Professional Accountancy Qualification

Finance Management

Programme Operations

Budgeting

Expenditure Monitoring

Financial Analysis

Financial Reporting

Budget Revisions

Financial Reconciliation

Management Financial Information

Project Operations

Operational Coordination

Compliance Requirements

Financial Rules Analysis

Internal Controls

Audit Support

Risk Management Processes

Donor Financial Requirements

Contractual Requirements

EU Funded Programmes

Enterprise Resource Planning

Financial Management Systems

UNDP Quantum Software

Education

Advanced (Master's) University Degree in Finance and/or Accounting

Bachelor's degree in any field with two years of qualifying experience

MBA or Master’s in Finance (with AAFT when applicable)

Tools

UNDP Quantum

ERP systems

Job description

The Project Operations and Finance Analyst will provide financial management, operational coordination and administrative support for the effective implementation of the Rule of Law Programme in Pakistan. The role involves budget planning, financial analysis, forecasting, expenditure review, financial reporting, risk management, internal controls, and coordination of programme operational processes in accordance with UNDP rules and donor requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage programme financial planning, budgeting and forecasting.
• Support preparation, review and consolidation of programme budgets, annual workplans and financial plans in line with approved programme documents, available resources and implementation priorities.
• Prepare and regularly update financial forecasts and cash-flow projections to support timely implementation and informed management decision-making.
• Monitor budget availability and utilization across programme activities and cost categories and identify potential funding gaps, underutilization, over-expenditure or other variances requiring management attention.
• Support preparation and processing of budget revisions, reallocations and other financial adjustments in accordance with UNDP procedures and applicable donor requirements.
• Analyse the financial implications of programme implementation decisions and provide timely financial advice to programme management.
• Support results-based budgeting by linking financial planning and expenditure monitoring with approved workplans, implementation progress and programme priorities.
• Monitor programme expenditure, financial performance and resource utilization.
• Monitor programme expenditures, commitments, advances and available balances on a regular basis and maintain accurate financial monitoring records.
• Review financial transactions and supporting documentation for completeness, accuracy, budget availability and compliance with applicable UNDP policies and programme requirements.
• Prepare periodic budget-versus-expenditure analyses and other financial management reports, highlighting variances, trends, risks and recommended corrective actions.
• Monitor delivery rates and financial performance against approved workplans and forecasts and follow up on delayed or outstanding actions.
• Support reconciliation and resolution of financial discrepancies, outstanding commitments, advances and other financial issues in coordination with relevant UNDP Country Office colleagues.
• Maintain financial information required for management oversight, donor reporting, audits and programme closure, and promote efficient resource utilization and value for money.
• Support financial reporting, compliance, audit and internal controls.
• Prepare and coordinate financial information and supporting schedules required for programme and donor financial reporting, ensuring accuracy, completeness and consistency with UNDP financial records.
• Support compliance with applicable donor requirements and UNDP financial rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Maintain organized and complete financial and operational records and supporting documentation to facilitate accountability, verification and audit readiness.
• Support internal and external audits, spot checks, financial reviews and other assurance exercises, including preparation of documentation, coordination of responses and follow-up on recommendations.
• Support identification, documentation and monitoring of financial and operational risks and contribute to appropriate mitigation and internal-control measures.
• Advise designated other team members on applicable financial procedures, controls and documentation requirements and promote consistent compliance.
• Support financial aspects of programme closure, including reconciliation of accounts, outstanding obligations, asset-related financial records and final financial reporting, as required.
• Coordinate programme operational and administrative processes.
• Coordinate day-to-day operational and administrative requirements of the Programme to support timely implementation of approved activities.
• Support operational planning and sequencing of finance, procurement, contracting, human resources, travel, logistics and other administrative actions in coordination with designated other team members and relevant Country Office colleagues.
• Maintain an integrated overview of key operational actions and deadlines and follow up on bottlenecks that may affect programme delivery.
• Support budget availability checks, financial clearances and contract-related financial matters while respecting the responsibilities of designated UNDP functions.
• Support programme management with administrative processes related to personnel, consultants, travel, missions, workshops and programme events, including budget planning, financial monitoring and coordination of required operational actions.
• Liaise with relevant UNDP Country Office operations, finance, human resources, procurement and administrative functions to facilitate timely and compliant programme implementation.
• Provide financial and operational advice, quality assurance and management support.
• Provide regular financial and operational updates to programme management, including analysis of expenditure, forecasts, delivery, commitments, operational risks and pending actions.
• Support preparation of programme workplans, implementation reviews, management meetings and donor discussions by providing relevant financial and operational analysis.
• Contribute financial and operational inputs to programme progress reports, donor reports, briefing notes, presentations and other management documentation.
• Support periodic reviews of implementation arrangements and operational processes and recommend practical measures to improve efficiency, compliance and timeliness.
• Review relevant financial and operational documentation and support quality assurance of financial information, budgets, forecasts and supporting records.
• Keep abreast of changes in relevant UNDP policies, procedures and systems and applicable donor financial requirements and advise on their application.
• Contribute to a collaborative working environment and effective coordination between programme and operations functions.
• Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing and guidance to all stakeholders on financial matters
• Provide support in identifying training needs of UNDP personnel for the purpose of capacity development in finance compliance.
• Organize and conduct training for the operations/programme/projects staff on financial management and RBM.
• Assist in providing regular training and technical guidance/advice on audit and compliance matters, including implementation of Internal Control Framework (ICF).
• Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in Finance.
• 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.

Requirements

• A professional accounting qualification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy, and/or Advanced (Master´s) University Degree in Finance and/or Accounting is required.
• Or a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Candidates with professional accounting qualifications from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
• Candidates with no professional accountancy qualifications, but with degrees that major in accountancy and/or finance must complete the Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited.
• Candidates satisfying the two above criteria are exempted from undertaking the UNDP Advanced Accountancy and Finance Test (AAFT).
• Candidates with MBA or master's in finance with no accountancy qualification but with relevant experience must successfully undertake the UNDP Advanced Accountancy and Finance Test (AAFT) to be eligible for shortlisting.
• Minimum of two years (with master's degree) or four years (with bachelor's degree) of relevant professional experience in financial management, programme operations, budgeting, administration or related areas is required.
• Demonstrated experience in programme or project financial management, including budget planning, expenditure monitoring, forecasting and financial analysis.
• Experience in preparing financial reports, budget revisions, reconciliations and management financial information.
• Experience in programme or project operations and administration, including coordination of operational processes and compliance requirements.
• Experience applying financial rules, internal controls, audit requirements and risk-management procedures.
• Experience supporting donor-funded programmes and working with donor financial and contractual requirements; experience with European Union-funded programmes.
• Experience supporting audits, financial reviews, spot checks or other assurance exercises.
• Experience using enterprise resource planning and financial management systems; including UNDP Quantum or comparable ERP systems.

Skills

• Professional Accountancy Qualification
• Finance Management
• Programme Operations
• Budgeting
• Expenditure Monitoring
• Financial Analysis
• Financial Reporting
• Budget Revisions
• Financial Reconciliation
• Management Financial Information
• Project Operations
• Operational Coordination
• Compliance Requirements
• Financial Rules Analysis
• Internal Controls
• Audit Support
• Risk Management Processes
• Donor Financial Requirements
• Contractual Requirements
• EU Funded Programmes
• Enterprise Resource Planning
• Financial Management Systems
• UNDP Quantum Software

Languages

English, Urdu