UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to tackle the injustices of poverty, inequality, and climate change on a global scale. Working with our broad network of experts, host governments and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law. 

Following the power shift in August 2021, the situation for the country remains uncertain and fragile, with approximately seventy percent of the population facing multifaceted vulnerabilities affecting their well-being, human security and long-term development while nearly a third of the population are estimated to be acutely food insecure. Over recent years, international assistance has played a vital role in averting a socioeconomic collapse by providing lifesaving, resilience-building and livelihoods-sustaining assistance to millions of people, hundreds of critical healthcare and educational centres, and tens of thousands of small and medium enterprises, often owned and managed by women. Nevertheless, the humanitarian challenge in Afghanistan is one of the biggest in the world, and basic human needs and priorities remain extremely high. In 2024, 95 percent of households experienced at least one shock of an economic or natural disaster nature such as floods, droughts and others. 

To help tackle the pressing challenges for enduring livelihoods and climate resilience, UNDP is designing fit-for-purpose portfolios of programs to create new livelihoods, income opportunities, basic services and to build resilience against climate-induced natural calamities that continue to haunt millions of households in the country. 

Afghanistan remains one of the most gender-unequal countries in the world, with women facing systemic challenges hindering their access to education and employment opportunities in the public sector and restricting their participation in public life. UNDP remains committed to women's empowerment through capacity-building initiatives, livelihoods and self-employment/employment support, enhancing gender-responsive decision-making at community level, and supporting local communities to include women, in line with UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace, and Security).

The Policy, Innovation and Knowledge Unit undertakes research and policy analysis to inform the strategic direction of the country office and its programmes. The unit tracks socioeconomic trends and undertakes thematic and policy-related research and analysis in the country, in order to produce a range of Knowledge Products (KPs). These include annual socioeconomic review reports, policy briefs, thematic research reports and innovative analytical tools and resources. The unit also supports the production of KPs from other units, works closely with the Regional Bureau and headquarters on strategic policy issues, and leads economic policy dialogue with UN and development partners through co-chairing the Economic Stabilization Strategic Thematic Working Group (ES STWG), under the Afghanistan Coordination Group (ACG). The unit closely supports the Resident Representative and senior management in their policy engagement with UNAMA and UN partners on key UN priorities. The work of the unit lies at the heart of policy and programme innovation and development in the country office and is closely aligned with other UN agencies and development partners to link, learn, adapt and innovate, to make best use of the combined resources available.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensure effective management of all of the Unit’s financial, administrative and operational systems.

• Assume responsibility for all aspects of the Unit’s financial, administrative and operational systems, under the overall supervision of the Head of Unit.
• Liaise with contracted parties (individual consultants and firms, other UN agencies) on the completion for tasks, payments and deliverables.
• Ensure financial and administrative systems run smoothly and efficiently, anticipate and problem solve issues, liaise closely with the administrative and financial management sections of the Country Office and escalate issues to the Head of Unit were necessary.
• Prepare and progress procurement cases under the project’s annual workplan. Monitor procurement progress, problem solve and escalate to the Head of Unit as appropriate.
• Oversee program and project budget management and ensure the compliance of financial activities, financial recording/reporting and audit follow up as per UNDP rules and regulations.
• Prepare business analysis/accounts and monitor for the project’s delivery status and the expenditure management for project.

Lead the Unit’s project work planning, implementation, monitoring, and financial reporting.

• Assume responsibility for tracking tasks in the Unit’s Annual Work Plan (AWP), including financial monitoring, and lead on the periodic revision of the 2025 AWP, and drafting of 2026 AWP as required.
• Liaise closely with the Country Office’s Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU), Procurement Unit and Finance Unit and represent the Unit is Country Office meetings, as required by the Head of Unit.
• Maintain up to date financial monitoring of Unit activities.
• Assume responsibility for initiating payments to contracted parties as required, in close coordination with the administrative assistant.
• Ensure the smooth operation of all of the administrative and financial systems of the Unit on a day-to-day basis.
• Provide timely information on financial progress and administration for the Unit’s quarterly reports, and support the report production process as required.

Coordination and support for Knowledge Production, event and mission planning.

• Under the direction of the Head of Unit, assume responsibility for the financial, administrative and logistical arrangements for all Unit events, including but not limited to consultation meetings, field visits, and the launch of the Unit’s Knowledge Products (KPs).
• Ensure event and mission planning is sufficiently well provisioned in the AWP, and work closely with the Procurement and Finance Units on the timely procurement and payment of contracted parties.
• Lead on the logistical production of KPs, including ensuring timely contracting of copy editing, designing and printing services.
• Work closely with the Unit’s Administrative Assistant to ensure the smooth operation of all administrative, logistical, security and operational tasks. 

Ensure the overall effective financial and administrative functioning of the Unit.

• Under the direction of the Head of Unit, ensure all Unit financial and administrative processes function effectively, to enable the delivery of quality Knowledge Products.
• Provide support to the Head of Unit and PIKU technical staff on any tasks as required. 

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

Institutional Arrangement

Under the guidance of the Specialist and Head of the Policy, Innovation and Knowledge Unit, the Finance and Administrative Associate will support the Unit with all finance and administration related activities. The Associate will work closely with the Unit’s UNV Administrative Assistant and will agree tasks under the direction of the Head of Unit. The Associate will also support the work of other members of the Unit, as required. 

Competencies

Core 

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 

Learn Continuously:LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner:LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Business Management Project Management

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Business Management Customer Satisfaction/Client Management

• Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. 
• Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy.
• Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. 
• Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Business Management Operations Management

• Ability to effectively plan, organize and oversee different parts of corporate operations, simultaneously and in an integrated way, in order to convert the organization’s assets into the best results in the most efficient way. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.

Finance

Budget Management 

• Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.

Procurement Contract management

• Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations

Administration and Operations Documents and records management

• Overall document (hard or electronic) management; registry and retention policy including storing and archiving

Finance Financial planning and budgeting

• Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, UNDP | People for 2030 – Competency Framework –Technical Competencies (2024) forecasting, analyzing and reporting

Education:

• Secondary education is required.
• A university degree(Bachelor’s degree) in Finance, Accountancy, or Business Studies will begiven due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
• Fully Qualified Accountant, from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy or Full Completion of the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP). No UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) required. 
• 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. However, no UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) is required.
• Candidates with no professional accountancy qualifications but with relevant experience must successfully undertake UNDP Accountancy and Finance Test (AFT) before shortlisting, and must complete the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited

Experience:

• A minimum of 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively relevant experience, in financial management or administration at the national and/or international level is required.

Required Skills:

• Experience in the use of Office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Power Point) is required.
• Demonstrable experience in financial management, including financial planning and processing, financial monitoring and financial reporting is required.
• Demonstrable experience in project administration including office procedures, logistics, meeting arrangements and event management, project implementation support is required. 

Desired skills:

• Experience in UNDP project work planning and work planning revisions would be an advantage.
• A university degree in Finance, Accountancy or Business Studies will be an advantage. 
• Experience in compiling project reports, including quarterly financial reporting, would be an advantage.
• Experience in the thematic areas such as poverty alleviation, economic growth, public policy would be an advantage. 
• Prior UN/ UNDP experience and familiarity with its policies and procedures, particularly in the applicable job area, is an added advantage.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in Dari and/ or Pashto is required.

Interested applicants can apply by clicking the link below or by copying and pasting the link into their browsers to access the application for the post.

Finance and Administrative Associate - UNDP Careers

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders) 

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

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