Finance Associate [Open to Tier 1 & 2 applicants], Astana, Kazakhstan

## Finance Associate [Open to Tier 1 & 2 applicants], Astana, Kazakhstan - Organization:UNDP - United Nations Development Programme - Office:UNDP Astana, Kazakhstan 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. UNDP in Kazakhstan is contributing to the country's development through the following programmatic priorities outlined in the Country Programme Document 2021-2025 (CPD): 1) addressing social vulnerabilities and inequalities, 2) effective and accountable institutions, 3) climate and disaster resilience and low-carbon growth, and 4) diversified and knowledge-based economic growth. The CPD is implemented by the UNDP Country Office (CO) in Kazakhstan, located primarily in Astana, with a limited presence in Almaty and other project-based locations. The CO is structured into Programme, Management & Program Support, and Operations units, with the latter being responsible for strategic administrative and human resources management, efficient procurement and logistical services, financial management and services and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and ensuring consistency with UNDP rules and regulations. UNDP Kazakhstan Operations team provides professional and support services to all UNDP projects, resident and non-resident agencies in the areas listed above. The Operations team consist of HR, Finance, Procurement, Administration and ICT units led by respective Analysts, complemented by 2 Common Premises management teams.The Finance team supports the Country Office (CO) in the promotion of its sustainable development agenda by continuously enhancing CO financial performance, delivering sound management of financial resources, and ensuring strong accountability through informed decision making, effective financial management processes, and transparent financial reporting that complies with international standards and regulatory guidelines. Under the guidance and supervision of the Finance Analyst, the Finance Associate ensures effective execution of financial services and processes in the Country Office and transparent utilization of financial resources. The Finance Associate promotes a collaborative, client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The Finance Associate works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme, and projects' staff in the CO and with UNDP HQ and GSSC staff to exchange information and resolve finance-related issues. UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration. Duties and Responsibilities Support administration and implementation of operational strategies and adapt processes and procedures: - Full compliance of financial processes and financial records with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies - Ensure CO financial processes, financial records and reports, and audit follow-up comply with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP). Implement effective internal control framework. - Support office management in preparing and reviewing CO finance business processes mapping and elaboration of the content of internal standard operating procedures in finance in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management. - Provide input for implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies in consultation with the office management. - Maintain financing and trust fund agreements, follow up on contributions with the respective project teams (the project team should be contacting the donor) within the CO resource mobilization efforts. - Routinely monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities and/or transactions; and investigate anomalies or unusual transactions. Inform senior CO management and other UNDP staff at Headquarters of the results of the investigation when satisfactory answers are not obtained. Support administration of budgets of CO management projects, clearance of budgets for development projects, and functioning of an optimal cost-recovery system: - Provide researched information for planning and status of financial resources of the CO. - Prepare and modify budgets for UNDP management projects, follow-up with HQ on authorized spending limits (ASL) for management projects. - Assist in the preparation of required budget revisions (ensuring multiyear budget revision) within the unit at required period and timely securing of ASLs; and ensure detailed record keeping of funds released for projects as well as monthly ASL reporting for non-core/ GEF projects. - Prepare timely cost-recovery/DPC bills in ERP for the services provided by UNDP, implement the revenue tracking system, and follow up on cost recovery. - Prepare and monitor financial advice and reports, ensuring timely and accurate submissions. - Review and verify reports for compliance before liquidation, ensuring proper documentation and reconciliation. - Ensure HACT-compliant processing of FACE reports, payment requests, recharges, and fund transfers. Provide accounting and administrative support to the Finance unit: - Proper control of supporting documents for payments and financial reports for projects and UN agencies; preparation of all types of vouchers; Pay Cycle and payment execution. - Proper receipting of goods and services and establishment of accruals. - Prepare financial reports for projects and management funds/budget balance; and prepare all types of invoices. - Maintain the internal expenditures control system which ensures that invoices processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in ERP, and travel claims and other entitlements are duly processed. - Coordinate and review allocated General Ledger and sub-ledger accounts and support timely project closure. - Take timely corrective actions on erroneous data in ERP and on unposted invoices, including the invoices with validation errors, match exceptions, and/or unapproved invoices. Prepare financial reports as required. Provide timely response to HQ requests to resolve financial data issues. - Maintenance of Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects and recording of deposits in ERP. - Proper maintenance of the filing system. - Maintain the Accounts Receivables for UNDP projects and follow-up with partners on contributions. - Ensure timely recording, reconciliation, and submission of VAT claims with relevant TAX authority and following up on VAT reimbursements. Ensure proper CO cash and Treasury management functioning: - Act as alternate to Finance Analyst for timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds for disbursements and maintain liquidity level approved by Treasury. Identify and record receipts and create deposits for revenue application on a timely basis. - Identify and record contributions. - Prepare timely and accurate bank reconciliations and provide documentation to GSSC according to service level agreement. Initiate bank transfers and deals in ERP