Asociado(a) de Finanzas

The Finance Associate supports the effective execution of financial services and processes in the Country Office, ensuring transparent use of financial resources. The role involves collaboration with operations, program, and project staff to maintain financial accountability and compliance with UNDP policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Support administration and implementation of operational strategies and adapt processes and procedures.
• Ensure financial processes, records, reports, and audit follow UNDP Program and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP). Implement effective use of Internal Control Framework (ICF).
• Support office administration in preparing and reviewing financial process mapping and developing internal standard operating procedures in finance.
• Monitor financial exception reports for unusual activities or transactions; investigate anomalies and report results to senior management and UNDP Headquarters.
• Support budget administration for management projects, approval of development project budgets, and optimal cost recovery system operation.
• Assist in preparing required budget revisions and timely obtaining spending authorizations; maintain detailed records of funds released for projects and monthly reporting of spending authorizations for non-core/GEF projects.
• Prepare timely billing related to cost recovery/DPC in ERP for services provided by UNDP; implement income tracking system and follow up on cost recovery.
• Provide accounting and administrative support to the Finance unit.
• Support proper control of supporting documents for payment invoices and document management including filing system.
• Prepare financial reports for projects and management funds/budget balances; prepare all types of invoices.
• Maintain internal expense control system ensuring invoices are completed, transactions recorded and accounted correctly in ERP, and travel requests and other entitlements processed properly.
• Take timely corrective actions on erroneous ERP data and unaccounted invoices including validation errors, match exceptions, and unapproved invoices.
• Prepare financial reports as needed.
• Respond timely to Headquarters requests to resolve financial data issues.
• Ensure timely recording, reconciliation, and submission of VAT declarations with relevant tax authority and follow up on VAT refunds.
• Monitor and take corrective actions based on financial transaction dashboards.
• Ensure proper treasury management functioning in the Country Office.
• Identify and record contributions received in UNDP bank accounts.
• Facilitate knowledge exchange in the Country Office.
• Assist in organizing training for operations/project staff on finance, audit, compliance, and ICF implementation.
• Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in financial management.
• Provide strong contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Perform other functions within functional profile necessary for efficient office and organizational functioning.

Requirements

• Education secondary (preparatoria) with specialized certification in Accounting and/or Finance. University degree in Finance or Accounting desirable.
• Partially qualified accountant from an internationally accredited accounting institute has a clear advantage.
• Fully qualified accountant from an internationally accredited accounting institute or full completion of the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Program (FTCP).
• Candidates without professional accounting qualifications but with degrees specializing in accounting and/or finance must complete the UNDP FTCP if recruited.
• Candidates without professional accounting qualifications but with relevant experience must pass the UNDP Accounting and Finance Test (AFT) before pre-selection and complete the FTCP if recruited.
• Minimum 6 years with secondary education and 3 years with university degree of progressive experience in finance and accounting at national or international level.
• Experience using computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).
• Advanced knowledge of spreadsheets and web-based management systems, as well as financial ERP systems and database packages.
• Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required.
• Desirable skills include completed studies in accounting, knowledge/experience in accounting closing processes, budget analysis and control, treasury management, and accounting records (invoices, bank deposits, accounting adjustments).
• Fluency in Spanish and English is required.
• Applicant must be Mexican citizen or foreigner with valid migratory status allowing the function to be performed.

Skills

• Accounting
• Finance
• Financial Reporting
• Budget Analysis
• Budget Control
• Treasury Management
• Accounting Closing Processes
• Accounting Records Management
• IPSAS
• IFRS
• Financial ERP Systems
• Database Management
• Spreadsheet analysis
• MS Word
• Excel
• UNDP Financial Training and Certification Program
• UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test

Languages

Spanish, English