Project Accounting & Financial Management Officer

Background
UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, we have worked towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all.
With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to supporting the Government of Indias national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.
UNDP Indias New Country Programme (2023-2027) Builds On Our Prior Work And Aims To Provide An Integrated Approach To Development Solutions In Three Strategic Portfolios

• Strong, accountable and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs.
• Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized.
• Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems and resilient development for reduced vulnerability. South-South cooperation, gender equality and social inclusion are promoted across the pillars. The programme
  

is supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, strategic innovation and accelerator labs, and data and digital architecture.
You are invited to join a team of future-smart development professionals to support India in achieving the national and globally agreed goals. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with diverse stakeholders to find country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first.

Office/Unit/Project Description
More than half of all livelihoods in India is primarily dependent on agriculture. A massive 54.6% of the total workforce is engaged in agricultural and allied sector activities, and 57% of the rural households are directly dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods. However, the agricultural sector is facing various challenges like small landholding, declining productivity, rising input costs, declining farm income, the adverse impact of climate change, and decline in the percentage share of workers engaged in the agriculture sector. Agricultural production shocks have huge social and financial repercussions, impacting rural income levels, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and poverty rates.
The Government of Indias flagship schemes Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and KCC/MISS have become important tools to strengthen the resilience of Indian farmers. The schemes ensure maximum benefits for the farmers by providing financial risk protection against natural calamities and catastrophic events including pests, climate uncertainties, and environmental shocks. Apart from providing comprehensive risk coverage for the entire crop cycle, PMFBY also enables direct claim transfer into farmers accounts through e- remittance. Additionally, to address agrarian distress, Kisan Credit Card/ Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) was introduced by the Government of India to provide cheap and hassle-free credit for millions of farmers and to ensure continued investment into agriculture to bring in mechanization, modernize agriculture practices and eventually enhance productivity.
UNDPs Country Programme Document (2023-2027) intended outcome 2 states that By 2027, people will benefit from and contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth through higher productivity, competitiveness and diversification in economic activities that create decent work, livelihoods, and income particularly for youth and women. UNDP leverages its expertise in systems strengthening to support the Ministry of Agriculture through setting up of Central Program Management Unit (CPMU) for the implementation of PMFBY and KCC, to improve institutional and programme responsiveness, increase coverage and better access among marginalised and excluded farm households, offering innovative measures and support mechanisms for Agri- value chain financing, risk management and reduced crop loss for the rural population in India. The PMU will also focus on providing Capacity Building and Training support to participating state-level government departments involved in PMFBY and KCC and advancing the scheme among new states for improved uptake.
Duties And Responsibilities
Reporting To1: National Programme Coordinator (NPSA 11)
Reportee To This Position (if Applicable)
Finance Analyst (NPSA 8)
Main Purpose
The Project Accounting & Financial Management Analyst - Technical Support Unit will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the National Programme Coordinator. She/He will ensure engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DoA&FW), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers
Welfare (MoA&FW) when needed.
Financial Reporting and Compliance

• Prepare and submit financial reports to the Government of India and other relevant agencies as required.
• Provide financial data and information support for Parliament Questions/Committees, right to information (RTI) replies, VIP references, and Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) audits.
  

Annual Work Plan Preparation

• Assist in preparing the annual work plan for the Project management unit (PMU).
• Regularly update the work plan based on evolving project requirements and progress.
  

Audit Report Review and Action Points

• Review annual audit reports submitted by States, implementing agencies, and Insurance Companies.
• Provide observations, highlight gaps, and prepare actionable recommendations.
  

Capacity Building and Training Support

• Identify capacity-building needs at various levels of implementation.
• Support in planning and organizing training programmes for stakeholders.
• Assist in building capacities of implementing partners for effective scheme implementation.
  

Financial Statements and Budget Estimates

• Review and finalize annual financial statements, budget estimates, and revised estimates.
• 
  Oversee records related to fund receipts from the Government of India and subsidy releases to Insurance Companies.
  

Preparation of Programme Financial Statements

• Prepare programme financial statements and ensure approval from competent government authorities.
• Maintain compliance with all financial reporting standards.
  

Strengthening the Accounting System

• Evaluate the existing accounting and financial management systems.
• Recommend improvements and corrective actions for establishing a robust financial system.
• Identify financial risks affecting project implementation and propose mitigation measures.
  

Internal Audit Coordination

• Assess the requirement for Internal Audit and, if necessary, initiate hiring of an Internal Auditor from open market sources.
• Coordinate with the Internal Auditor to ensure effective audit processes.
• Implement recommendations from internal audit reports.
• In the absence of an Internal Auditor, conduct internal audit activities independently.
  

Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) and Department Audit Coordination

• Coordinate with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) to facilitate smooth and effective CAG audits.
• Implement recommendations from Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) audit reports.
• Review audit reports submitted by the compliance Audit (CAA) of the Department and compile actionable observations for all stakeholders (Department, States, Insurance Companies, Subsidy Routing Agencies, Banks, etc.)
  

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

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making
  

People Management

• UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site .
  

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies
Finance

• Audit risk management. Ability to address audit issues raised in the course of an audit and propose solutions in order to ensure a true and fair audit opinion is achieved
• 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.

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• 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 non-financial resources such as human, social and intellectual capital, and environmental and governance performance
• 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
  

Business Management

• System Thinking. Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
• Results-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.
• Project Management. Abilit to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
  

Education
Required Skills and Experience

• A professional accounting qualification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy, and/or Advanced (Masters) University Degree in Finance and/or Accounting is required. Or a first-level university degree (bachelors 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 masters 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.
  

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years (with masters degree) or 4 years (with bachelors degree) of relevant experience finance and accounting and Experience of working with Central and/or State Governments/ national/ international/ public private organisations/ on similar assignments will be required.
  

Required Skills

• Advise on accounting systems and policies to promote optimal and soundest use of financial resources, advise business units on financial management and promote awareness of financial management dimensions to business activities.
• Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and requirements of the post with excellence.
  

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Experience in the field Accounting and Financial management with capacity to function independently with minimum supervision.
• Experience in the legal and regulatory environment in the insurance sector.
• Chartered Accountant (CA) from Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) will be preferred.
• Experience connecting with a wide range of stakeholders insurance agencies, insurance regulators, state agencies etc.
  

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English and Hindi 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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