Specialist – Operations, Fund Risk Management and Oversight (Open to all ap at UNDP

New Delhi, delhi, India -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

05 May, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

04 Feb, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Financial Management, Risk Management, Project Appraisal, Audit Oversight, Budget Oversight, Information Management, Capacity Building, Data Analysis, Procurement, Contract Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Policy Development, Compliance Review, Training, Communication, Innovation

Industry

International Affairs

Description

Job Description Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below: Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates) Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates 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 India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet. UNDP India Country Programme 2023-2027 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 UNDP country 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. Duties and Responsibilities The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) is a global multi-stakeholder partnership that aims to build resilience into infrastructure systems to ensure sustainable development. The Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund (IRAF) is the Multi Partner Trust Fund established with the support of the United Nations to implement the vision and strategic workplan of the Coalition. The key functions of the Fund are to mobilize and channel resources for CDRI’s work plans, and to promote coordination, alignment and coherence around common programmatic priorities. The Fund is meant to support: countries’ institutional capacity building and policy development; research and knowledge management; and academic programmes. The IRAF Multi Partner Trust Fund is supported by a Fund Management Unit (FMU) hosted at the CDRI Secretariat based in New Delhi, India and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Geneva Office. The Fund Management Unit is responsible for supporting the implementation of the Fund mandate and the application of the Fund policies. The Fund Management Unit fulfills four main functions: Programme design; Programme implementation; Fund Operations; and Fund portfolio oversight, monitoring and evaluation. The Fund Management Unit is composed of two sub-units: the Administrative Unit and the Technical Unit. As part of its support to the Fund Management Unit, UNDP is looking for a dynamic professional for the position of Specialist – Operations, Risk Management and Oversight. The position of Operations Management Specialist is critical to support Fund programme implementation (due diligence, risk management), Fund portfolio oversight (risk management and complaints mechanism) and Fund Operations (finance reporting, information management, policy development, capacity building). The Risk Management & Operations Specialist will be recruited by UNDP to be part of the Administrative Unit and work under the direct supervision of UNDP Head of the Administrative Unit. The Specialist – Operations, Risk Management and Oversight will be based in Delhi, India with the Fund Management Unit hosted by the CDRI Secretariat, with occasional international travel. Direct Reporting To: Fund Management Unit – Head Administrative Unit Under the guidance and direct supervision of the UNDP Head of Fund Management Unit Administrative unit, the incumbent provides overall support to the functions of the CDRI IRAF Fund Management Unit as needed, and has the responsibility for the following tasks: Thematic Responsibilities: Programme implementation: due diligence applications, project appraisal, financial oversight Fund finance, budget quality and compliance review, monitoring of cash flow, delivery reports Capacity building on operations policies and process development for Fund Operations Fund information management and quality control of Fund Management Platform (FMP) content Risk management, audit and complaints mechanism The key responsibilities will be around: Programme implementation: Accreditation & Calls for Proposals Oversee accreditation of IRAF Fund recipient organizations including the completion of UN Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) micro assessment, and the completion of the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) risk assessment; Consolidate HACT & SEAH findings. Support calls for proposals selection process including review of budget and procurement plans, completeness check of documentation; Guidance to applicants on digital project proposal creation, PRODOC revision and signing; bi-annual on- line financial reporting, on-line reporting on progress, risks and issues. Risk management, audit and complaints mechanism Support implementation of prevention and mitigation measures and update the Fund risk management dashboard monthly. Support the management of the Fund complaints mechanism: register any complaint and follow up on status and response to the complaint and prepare status updates for the Head of the FMU Administrative Unit to submit to the Trust Fund Management Committee. Participate in project quarterly reviews with a focus on risk management. Consolidate the project risk assessment on a quarterly basis to prepare quarterly updates for CDRI and the TFMC Co-Chairs. Review findings of project audit reports consolidated by the Administrative Agent. IRAF Finance: Budget quality and compliance review, monitoring and reporting Monitor IRAF programme delivery at global, regional and country level, prepare quarterly provisional delivery reports and respond to queries on programme and project delivery. Suggest and develop adequate data visualization to monitor and showcase financial and budgetary analysis of the IRAF programme portfolio that facilitates understanding and oversight of the Fund status, patterns and trends. Support the systematic monitoring of cash flow and planning needs to anticipate cash shortages within programs and projects. Oversee IRAF programme budget including detailed review and monitoring of global, regional and country project budgets, ensuring compliance as needed. Monitor Fund disbursement to programs and projects based on results and spending, in line with TFMC decisions and in compliance with Manual of Operations. Manage budget of UNDP Fund Management Unit project. IRAF Operations process and capacity building Research Fund operations innovations (performance-based payments, government access, intellectual property rights) to advise CDRI and Trust Fund Management Committee Co-Chairs. Support the adaptation and development of CDRI policies and procedures to transition to a CDRI administered Fund. Provide inputs to continuously update the Fund Manual of Operations, procedures and policies, SOPs Serve as a resource for CDRI Secretariat personnel and Participating Organizations/grantees on Fund policies and templates, and Information Management System. Support to align CDRI procurement, HR and finance policies and systems with HACT and PSEAH requirement. Support the design and organization of regular training for programme & project teams on Fund policies and templates. Support procurement processes, when required, for specific IRAF activities under UNDP project, including advice on best procurement and contracting modality, follow up on contracting and delivery of services, working closely with the IRAF administrative and finance assistant. Support the CDRI IRAF HR recruitment processes, when needed. Fund Management Information system support Establish and maintain a secure information management and archiving system for IRAF on CDRI platform accessible to CDRI personnel & IRAF partners. Develop and execute an internal protocol for populating and ensuring quality control of information on the IRAF Fund Management Platform portal FMP, identify and solve accessibility issues for NUNOs/PUNOs and facilitate training for NUNOs/PUNOs when required; Maintain the information, data, and analysis up to date with the support of IRAF Administrative and Finance assistant. Identify gaps in functionality needs, and propose options for add-on functionalities, including for data visualization, to the Fund Management Platform portal as well as the CDRI information management platform. 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 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter- agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity Cross-Functional & Technical competencies Audit and investigation Financial and managerial Accounting - Key concepts and principles of financial accounting, interpret financial analysis, managerial accounting etc. Digital & Innovation Data analysis - Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making Finance Budget management - Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning processes; drawing and management of team budgets. Financial communication and impact - Ability to report financial information clearly to non-finance leaders, including to various governing bodies such as the Executive Board. Willingness to make, communicate and implement difficult decisions based on accurate evidence and reflecting varied advice/viewpoints. Understands how to clearly communicate sometimes complex financial information to others using easy-to-understand media and language. Challenges effectively and gives and receives constructive feedback. Negotiates effectively to ensure optimum balance between best outcomes and best value for public funds. Due diligence management - Ability to conduct a comprehensive appraisal of an organization or opportunity to be undertaken by a prospective investor or partner, especially to establish its assets and liabilities, as well as evaluate the potential opportunity and its related risks; knowledge of respective methodology and tools Procurement Contract management - Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations Business Direction & Strategy 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. Required Skills and Experience Education: Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in finance, law, business or public administration, or other relevant field is required, or 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 the advanced university degree. Experience: A minimum of 5 years (with Master's degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor's degree) of experience in overseeing the financial management and operations of large programmes, preferably in the United Nations, bilateral or multilateral development cooperations agencies, or multilateral banks. Demonstrated extensive experience with development project implementation, operations and finance, including project appraisal, risk management, audit and oversight is required. Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP Demonstrated extensive experience with development project implementation, operations and finance, including project appraisal, risk management, audit and oversight is required. Demonstrated experience in using and maintaining complex organization information management systems. Demonstrated experience in managing projects in fragile and/or high fiduciary risk context is highly desirable. Experience of exposure with Vertical Funds such as GEF, GCF, Adaptation Fund, Global Fund and their programming/operational processes. Proven expertise in due diligence and fiduciary risk control and oversight including for international multilateral organizations. Proven expertise in financial management, budget oversight and reporting, including for international donor agencies. Demonstrated understanding/experience and familiarity with international procurement processes, rules and regulations. Demonstrated understanding/experience and familiarity with information technology applications to organization information systems, including e- document management, and to project management. Demonstrated ability/experience to research best practices with the view to generate new ideas and approaches, and propose new, more effective ways of doing things, contributing to an environment of creativity and innovation. Demonstrated ability/experience to share knowledge across the organization and build a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Demonstrated ability/experience to establish, build and sustain effective working relationships working in a diverse environment and communicate sensitively. Required Languages Fluency in English and Hindi is required. Knowledge of Spanish and/or French would be an asset. 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. Scam alert UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

Responsibilities

The Specialist will support the implementation of the Fund's mandate, focusing on programme implementation, risk management, and fund operations. Key tasks include overseeing accreditation processes, managing financial oversight, and ensuring compliance with operational policies.