Tiered Approach

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

OFFICE/UNIT/PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 170 countries and territories, working with Governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

The 2030 Agenda for SDGs and the pledge to leave no one behind reflect the interconnectedness of health and sustainable development, including widening economic and social inequalities, the climate crisis, rapid urbanization, the continuing burden of HIV and other infectious diseases (e.g., malaria, tuberculosis), the growing burden of non-communicable diseases and the emergence of health threats. The scope and scale of delivering health and well-being for all demands innovative partnerships and financing. As affirmed in the Political Declaration of the 2019 High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund), the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and others are critical partners for delivering on the health-related goals of the 2030 Agenda. Stronger Collaboration, Better Health: Global Action Plan for Healthy Lives and Well-being for All outlines how a dozen multilateral health, development and humanitarian agencies, including UNDP, the Global Fund, Gavi and others will collaborate to be more efficient and effective in supporting countries to deliver UHC and achieve the health-related SDG targets.

UNDP’s partnership with the Global Fund makes a vital contribution to UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2026-2029, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the SDGs and the pledge to leave no one behind.

As a long-standing partner of the Global Fund, UNDP’s value proposition lies in providing an integrated package of development solutions to strengthen institutions to deliver health services. Through its contributions as interim Principal Recipient (PR) and provider of technical assistance to Global Fund grants in 53 countries since 2003, UNDP’s provision of the integrated policy, implementation and capacity development support to countries has yielded significant health and development results in challenging operating environments. Proactive risk management and investing in sustainability are the cornerstones of UNDP’s portfolio management approach in supporting countries with significant national capacity constraints to manage large-scale health programmes. By providing technical assistance to national counterparts during all phases of implementation, strengthening legislation, policies and regulatory frameworks, and building capacities across key functional areas, including financial management, health information systems, procurement and supply chain management, UNDP is able to deliver results whilst sustainably transitioning to national entities. UNDP’s track record as interim PR over the last 20 years and capacity to deliver in challenging operating environments has been critical for strengthening its positioning as a health implementation support partner.

As a trusted, long-term partner of the Global Fund, UNDP’s value proposition lies in providing an integrated package of development solutions to strengthen institutions to deliver health services. Proactive risk management and investing in sustainability are the cornerstones of UNDP’s portfolio management approach and providing technical assistance to national counterparts during all phases of implementation, strengthening legislation, policies and regulatory frameworks, and building capacities across key functional areas, including financial management, health information systems, procurement and supply chain management. Within the Prosperity & Well-being Hub, the Health Funds and Systems team (HFST) is a dedicated team providing support to UNDP Country Offices implementing health and development programmes.

UNDP has been appointed as the non-governmental Principal Recipient (PR) by the CCM (Country Coordination Mechanism) to implement the Global Fund GC8 Malaria grant, with the main objective of eliminating malaria and strengthening health systems in Guinea-Bissau.

To provide strategic planning, programmatic and operational management and oversight to the Global Fund portfolio to achieve the defined programme goals, targets and effective delivery, a dedicated Health Team has been established within UNDP country office in Bissau.

Within this context, the Finance Analyst leads the finance unit within the health team and is responsible for leading high-quality financial management, grant budgeting, expenditure monitoring, financial reporting, cash management, Sub-Recipient financial oversight, audit preparedness and fiduciary risk control. The role ensures that the finance function provides timely, accurate and strategic support to programme delivery while maintaining robust segregation of duties, compliance with UNDP and Global Fund requirements, sound internal controls and strong fiduciary safeguards across all levels of implementation in Guinea-Bissau.

SCOPE OF WORK

Lead strategic financial management, planning and budget control for the Global Fund Grant managed by UNDP.

• Lead preparation, review and monitoring of annual and quarterly budgets, workplans, cash forecasts and financial plans for UNDP, Sub-Recipients and programme delivery partners.
• Provide strategic financial analysis to programme management, including budget variances, absorption rates, commitments, burn rates, pipeline analysis and funding gaps affecting malaria activities in Guinea-Bissau.
• Ensure that all financial planning and budget revisions are aligned with approved Global Fund budgets, grant conditions, UNDP regulations and programme priorities for malaria prevention, diagnosis, treatment and supply chain support.
• Comply with all UNDP and donor financial reporting requirements, including Progress Updates to the Global Fund.

Ensure robust financial operations, accounting, reporting and cash management.

• Oversee accounting, payment processing, financial records, reconciliations and transaction quality assurance for the Global Fund grant, ensuring accuracy, completeness and timeliness.
• Lead preparation and quality review of financial reports, expenditure statements, supporting schedules and donor reporting inputs required by UNDP management and the Global Fund.
• Monitor cash flow, advances, liquidations, bank balances and payment schedules to ensure timely programme implementation and adequate liquidity for approved malaria activities.
• Ensure proper use of UNDP corporate systems, financial coding, document retention and audit trails for all grant-funded transactions.

Provide finance management and programme finance support for the Global Fund Grant.

• Perform and quality assure typical UNDP Quantum finance transactions, including review of requisitions, purchase orders, receipts, supplier invoices, payment requests, journal vouchers, budget checks, project chart of accounts, cost-recovery entries and supporting documentation for grant-funded activities.
• Monitor Quantum project budgets, expenditures, commitments, pre-encumbrances, budget availability, donor fund utilization and financial dashboards to support timely decision-making, accurate reporting and resolution of exceptions affecting the Global Fund grant.
• Coordinate closely with the Country Office finance team on Quantum workflows, payment processing, bank reconciliations, cash management, vendor management, month-end and year-end closure, financial controls, audit trails and compliance with UNDP financial rules and delegation of authority.
• Provide programme finance support to the Global Fund Programme by linking financial analysis with programme delivery, including activity-level budget monitoring, expenditure forecasting, variance analysis, liquidation follow-up, Sub-Recipient financial tracking and alignment of financial information with programmatic results, grant performance indicators and implementation priorities.

Ensure fiduciary risk management, internal controls and Sub-Recipient financial oversight.

• Ensure implementation of fiduciary controls, financial risk assessments, spot checks, financial verifications and follow-up actions for Sub-Recipients involved in Global Fund grant programme delivery.
• Develop and monitor finance-related risk mitigation measures that reflect Guinea-Bissau’s operating context, including risks related to cash handling, advances, procurement payments, supply chain expenditures and partner financial capacity.
• Provide technical guidance to Sub-Recipients to strengthen budgeting, expenditure documentation, liquidation of advances, segregation of duties, asset controls and compliance with UNDP and Global Fund requirements.

Coordinate audits, assurance activities, compliance follow-up and management action plans.

• Coordinate preparation for internal and external audits, Local Fund Agent reviews, assurance visits and financial monitoring missions related to the Global Fund grant.
• Ensure timely follow-up of audit findings, management letters, spot check recommendations and assurance observations, ensuring implementation of corrective actions by UNDP teams and Sub-Recipients.
• Maintain a strong compliance culture by advising programme and operations colleagues on financial rules, donor conditions, eligible expenditures and documentation standards.

Manage the finance team, strengthen partner capacity and support knowledge transfer.

• Supervise, guide and quality assure the work of finance personnel supporting the Global Fund grant, promoting clear roles, effective workload management and adherence to internal control standards.
• Build the capacity of finance staff, programme colleagues and Sub-Recipient teams through coaching, training, practical guidance and dissemination of tools, templates and good practices.
• Engage with UNDP management, programme teams, operations units, national counterparts, Global Fund stakeholders, auditors, suppliers and service providers on finance-related matters requiring coordination and informed decision-making.

Perform other duties within the incumbent’s functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Global Fund Grant, UNDP Guinea-Bissau and the Organization.

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

The Finance Analyst reports to the Programme Manager of the Health team.

The incumbent leads the Finance Unit and supervises two Finance Associates.

S/he heads the project finance function and works in close collaboration with the Country Office finance team, programme, procurement, supply chain and operations colleagues, national counterparts, Sub-Recipients, Global Fund stakeholders, auditors and relevant service providers. The role ensures effective coordination between project-level programme finance requirements and Country Office financial management, Quantum workflows, corporate compliance, internal controls and financial reporting processes.

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.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

• Finance - Accounting (General): Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks, standards, regulations, policies and trends, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.
• Finance - 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.
• Finance - Budget management: Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.
• Finance - Banking and cash management: Ability to collect, handle, and manage cash, which involves assessing market liquidity, cash flow, and Investments.
• Business Management - Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
• Business Development - Knowledge Generation: Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to Apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.
• Business Direction and 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OF THE SUCCESSFUL IPSA

Min. Education requirements

A professional accounting qualification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy, and/or Advanced (Master’s) University Degree in Finance and/or Accounting 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.

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 master's 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.

Min. years of relevant work experience

Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in providing financial management services, and/or managing staff and operational systems is required.

Required skills

• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheets and web-based management systems such as ERP financials and database packages is required.
• Experience of IPSAS and/or IFRS is required for external candidates is required.
• Experience with Global Fund is required.
• Experience in financial reporting, budget analysis and donor-funded grant financial management is required.
• Experience managing or supervising finance functions, including internal controls, reconciliations, payment review and expenditure monitoring, is required.
• Advanced knowledge of Excel spreadsheets and experience using financial management systems or ERP platforms, including UNDP Quantum or similar systems for budgeting, accounting, payments, reporting and project financial monitoring is required.

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

• Experience with Sub-Recipient financial management, financial verifications, spot checks, audits, assurance activities and risk mitigation is desirable.
• Experience with UNDP financial rules, Quantum/ERP systems, Global Fund grant management or international development organizations is an asset.
• Experience supervising finance personnel or leading finance teams in complex operating environments is desirable.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in French and/or English is required.
• Working knowledge of Portuguese is desirable.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection here.

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