Finance Specialist (Financial Performance Management (FPM))

The Finance Specialist in Financial Performance Management (FPM) supports UNDP's financial integrity by leading financial risk management policies, overseeing the Annual Representation exercise, ensuring IPSAS-compliant financial reporting, and strengthening audit engagement and assurance. The role provides specialized expertise in financial risk management, compliance, and supports internal and external audit processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the formulation, continuous improvement, and corporate interpretation of UNDP financial risk management policies, including the HACT Framework.
• Oversee the design and enhancement of digital tools, dashboards, and ERP-based solutions to strengthen risk identification, monitoring, and compliance.
• Provide strategic advisory support and necessary training to UNDP offices units on complex financial risk matters, ensuring consistent application of policies and internal controls.
• Drive cross-functional and inter-agency coordination on financial risk management, representing UNDP as the technical lead in HACT-related fora.
• Ensure UNDP policies on financial risk management are evidence-based, benchmarked against international standards, and aligned with emerging risks and operational realities.
• Lead the planning, rollout, and technical management of the Annual Representation Exercise, including tool enhancement, quality reviews, and validation of submissions.
• Maintain and refine the methodology linking Annual Representation outcomes to the SICFR risk framework, ensuring coherence and evidentiary-based exercise.
• Provide authoritative technical guidance to Business Process Owners and offices to strengthen compliance and readiness for corporate representations.
• Prepare assigned sections of SICFR and related corporate reporting, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and alignment with internal control frameworks.
• Deliver clear, actionable feedback to offices on the Annual Representation submissions and SICFR to improve internal control maturity before subsequent exercises.
• Lead complex analytical reviews and technical assessments required for the preparation of IPSAS-compliant financial statements and related disclosures.
• Contribute to drafting primary financial statements and notes, including technical research on accounting treatments and materiality assessments.
• Produce high-level analytical insights, briefing notes, and decision-support materials for senior management, highlighting key financial drivers and risks.
• Evaluate the impact of new IPSAS standards or policy changes, providing strategic recommendations for UNDP’s accounting and reporting framework.
• Ensure accuracy of financial data used for corporate reporting by validating ERP outputs, reconciliations, and adjustments.
• Support engagement with internal and external auditors, including the UN Board of Auditors (UNBOA), ensuring timely and robust responses to audit requests.
• Prepare and validate audit samples, documentation, and evidence to demonstrate adherence to internal controls and IPSAS-compliant financial processes.
• Support post-audit follow-up and year-round readiness, facilitating management responses and monitoring implementation of recommendations.
• Strengthen internal control practices by identifying systemic issues, recommending corrective actions, and promoting knowledge sharing across the organization.
• Maintain comprehensive audit trails, reconciliations and supporting documentation contributing to sustained unqualified audit opinions.
• Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in Finance.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Review and collate performance data and provide relevant analysis for use in preparing formal reports and documents on financial resources management including responses to UNDP’s key stakeholders.

Requirements

• Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Finance or Accounting, and/or a professional accounting qualification from an accredited institute of accountancy is required.
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• Those with professional accounting qualifications from an accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
• Candidates with no accountancy qualification but with relevant experience must successfully undertake the UNDP Advanced Accountancy and Finance Test (AAFT) to be eligible for shortlisting.
• 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.
• Minimum 5 years (with master´s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor´s degree) of relevant financial management/reporting experience in a large multi-national or international organization.
• Proven experience and a sound understanding of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and/or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) required.
• Experience with ERP financial systems is required (preferably Oracle).
• Experience and knowledge of risk management principles and frameworks, including enterprise risk management concepts.
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills with a proven track record.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and across teams.
• Demonstrated experience in AI, digital transformation, and process automation.
• Experience as a collaborative team player with flexibility to work across global time zones.
• Desirable Criteria: Audit experience (internal and/or external).
• Experience in leading complex analytical reviews and technical assessments.
• Prior experience with UN/ UNDP.
• Experience in producing high-level analytical insights, briefing notes, and decision-support materials for senior management.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

Skills

• Finance Management
• Financial Reporting
• International Public Sector Accounting Standards
• IPSAS
• International Financial Reporting Standards
• IFRS
• ERP Financial Accounting
• Oracle
• Risk Management
• Enterprise Risk Management
• Analytical Reporting
• Report Writing
• AI Application in Finance
• Digital Transformation
• Process Automation
• Audit Experience
• Internal Audit
• External auditing
• Financial Risk Management
• Compliance Management
• Financial Analysis

Languages

English