Programme Finance Associate (NPSA-7), Just Energy Transition Project, UNDP Moldova

Programme Finance Associate (NPSA-7), Just Energy Transition Project, UNDP Moldova - 24639

Deadline / Termenul-limită: 18 March 2025

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Job Description

Background 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Moldova is part of the EU’s European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) and in the Eastern Partnership framework, which aims at strengthening individual and regional relationships between the EU and countries in its neighborhood. Moldova is also part of the Energy Community Treaty since 2010 and has signed the Association Agreement with EU in June 2014, including the DCFTA which entered into force in 2016. As a follow-up, Moldova is required to ensure transposition of the EU acquis Communautaire, which underpins the EU energy legislation on electricity, gas, oil, renewables, energy efficiency and environment. The country has synchronized its electricity network with the ENTSO-E to connect to European electricity market.

Considering the ongoing energy crisis, the energy sector is one of the top priorities for the Government and it is addressed in Government’s Plans and a number of policy documents, laws and regulations which outlined the need to undertake more actions towards a green and just energy transition of the Republic of Moldova. 

In accordance to the existing strategic planning documents, one of main priorities of the Government is to diversify the energy mix with more renewable energy, which is also fully in line with commitments under the EU Clean Energy for all Europeans package. Achieving this goal will require significant investment in the medium and long term, but also the country’s ability to attract and absorb the funds. The development of renewables, such as wind and solar, will also depend on improving the balancing capabilities of the Moldovan power system and its integration with neighboring countries.

In this regard the EU and Moldova stressed the importance of resilience against any potential efforts by third parties to use energy as a geopolitical lever. The EU has urged Moldova to ensure that the energy sector reform demonstrates full respect of the Energy Community acquis and is in line with the EU Third Energy Package. The EU side confirmed its support to the objective of Moldova for integration into the EU energy system and market, an important step being the recent synchronization of its electricity network with the Continental European Network (CEN).

Recognizing the importance of a just and green energy transition in addressing the root causes of the ongoing crisis, the "Accelerating a Just Energy Transition in the Republic of Moldova" portfolio of interventions has emerged - co-designed with the Government and other representatives of the energy system to ensure its relevance and effectiveness.

Through this Portfolio of interventions, the Government of Moldova will be further assisted to tackle the current energy crisis and energy poverty and addressing prioritized systemic elements in the energy sector to cope with potential future energy crisis. 

The Accelerating a Just Energy Transition in Republic of Moldova has the following five key areas of intervention:

• Accelerate Energy Diversification and Efficiency: By supporting the modernization of infrastructure, buildings, and the grid, the Project aims to increase access to renewable energy sources, promote energy efficiency, and encourage investment in renewable energy and innovative technologies;
• Decarbonizing Industries and Economic Sectors: The Project seeks to drive the decarbonization of various economic sectors such as construction, transportation, agriculture, and the private sector. It aims to promote sustainable practices, share green business models, and develop vocational skills for the green energy sector to create equitable employment opportunities and support the transition to a low-carbon economy; 
• Foster Sustainable Consumption Patterns: Through comprehensive public awareness campaigns and educational materials, the Project aims to deepen understanding of energy efficiency and renewable energy among community members, business leaders, and government agencies. It strives to promote behavior change towards sustainable energy practices, particularly among vulnerable populations;
• Strengthen Inclusive Energy Governance: The Project recognizes the importance of inclusive energy governance at both national and local levels. It aims to strengthen the capacity of relevant institutions and stakeholders to effectively govern and manage the energy sector. By promoting transparency, accountability, and participation, the Project seeks to ensure that decision-making processes related to energy transition are inclusive, empowering all segments of society, including marginalized groups;
• Addressing Energy Vulnerability and Promoting Resilience: One of the Project 's primary focus is to address energy vulnerability and promote resilience among households and businesses. It will provide further support to the Government in improving and implementing compensation mechanisms, including the established on-bill compensation mechanism targeting the households by level of vulnerability. This intervention aims to provide immediate relief to energy-poor households and the private sector, while also fostering long-term energy resilience and efficiency. The Project places a strong emphasis on meeting the energy needs of vulnerable groups, prioritizing affordability, reliability, and sustainability. To this end, it will explore conceptualization of decentralized energy solutions, off-grid options, and harness the role of energy access in conflict and disaster recovery efforts, livelihoods, and social inclusion.

Implementation period: 2023-2027.

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

Summary of key functions:

The Programme Finance Associate will ensure, in line with Accelerating a Just Energy Transition in Republic of Moldova Programme’s scope, the provision of the following development services and products pertaining to an effective administrative and financial management, as well as procurement:

Contribute to the efficient delivery of the Programme, focusing on the achievement of the following results: 

• Undertake administrative, logistical, travel, procurement, financial and asset management tasks in full compliance with UNDP rules, regulations and policies;
• Provide support to procure goods and services required by the programme, in liaison with the relevant staff and units of UNDP Country Office;
• Provide administrative support in arranging Programme related meetings when needed;
• Participate in the preparation of work plans, operation plans and procurement plans and periodical reviews thereof;
• Provide support in quality control of Programme activities, including assessing impact and effectiveness, tracking outputs and results, and ensure timely and efficient delivery;
• Maintain an appropriate filing system and documenting the implementation to enable further operational and financial closure of the programme;
• Provide support in regular monitoring and data collection of Programme activities in accordance with work plan and procurement plan;
• Provide general secretarial and administrative assistance to the Programme in close liaison with UNDP teams, other UN agencies;
• Provide support to the Energy, Environment and Climate Change Unit, as required.

Ensure administration and implementation of operational strategies, adapt processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results: 

• Full compliance with respective UNDP and donor rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations;
• Implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system;
• Personal initiative to perform daily work timely, efficiently, and in compliance with established rules and plans;
• Keep pulse on emerging best practices nationally, regionally, and internationally that relate to the work of the assigned project;
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Support compiling and systematizing project knowledge, products and tools as well as their wide distribution to partners;
• Acting as alternate for the Energy, Environment and Climate Change Unit Programme Associate.

Provide financial support to the Programme, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensure compliance with all corporate rules of UNDP in the field of financial planning, reporting, and auditing;
• Ensure preparation of the AWP and MYWP and monitoring of its status;
• Track of availability of cash for the programme and coordination of installments’ transfer from donors;
• Analysis of the situation in programme, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions;
• Monitor budget expenditures and maintain a proper record of approved project budgets and their revisions; 
• Prepare proposals for budget revisions; budget corrections etc; 
• Upon request, prepare and submit expenditure and program budget status reports; 
• Maintain accurate budget reporting in both UNDP and EU standard templates; 
• Prepare other recurring reports as scheduled and special reports as required for budget/financial preparations and audit; 
• Respond to queries from the UNDP and EU in respect to financial aspects of the program, liaise with UNDP-appointed and external auditors wherever required; 
• Liaising with HQ/Regional Bureau and national counterparts on financial and operational matters;
• Prepare requests for advance of funds and/or direct payments, as well as proposals for budget revisions;
• Maintenance of the internal expenditures control system which ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed, transactions are correctly recorded and posted in corporate system/UNAll;
• Perform necessary checks of the financial reports submitted by project suppliers;
• Advise international and national consultants on all aspects of allowances, travel claims and other financial matters and calculate payments due for claims and services;
• Prepare Travel Requests and F10 claims for project staff and consultants;
• Ensuring payments in Quantum to project suppliers;
• Verify and monitor the accuracy of e-requisitions in Quantum;
• Provide advice to the team on project financial issues;
• Undertake other financial tasks as required.

Provide operations support to the Programme, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Ensure that UNDP procurement rules are followed during procurement activities that are carried out by the programme and maintain responsibility for the inventory of the programme assets;
• Coordination of surveys, DSA, travel agencies, organization of common services and other administrative surveys;
• Prepare and timely submit travel documents in accordance with UNDP requirements;
• Support with protocol matters, registration of staff, coordination with national partners on space and other administrative matters;
• Compile, organize and file information and documents for reference and use by team members;
• Preparation of documents set for vendor creation;
• Ensure proper control of the supporting documents for payments;
• Prepare and timely submit payment requests with proper support documentation to the UNDP Country Office; 
• Control the usage and proper accounting of non-expendable equipment (record keeping, drawing up regular inventories), inventories and materials; 
• Provide necessary administrative, financial and logistical support to the Programme events, including among other workshops, seminars, working meetings and visits of national and international delegations (visa support, transportation, hotel accommodation etc); 
• Keep files of Programme documents and expert reports and ensure general circulation of documents for knowledge management and sharing; 
• Draft Programme correspondence and documents; finalize correspondence of administrative and financial nature; edit reports and other documents for correctness of form and content as required;
• Assist in collection, preparation and submission of support documents for NPSA contracts extensions.
   

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

Institutional Arrangements

The Programme Finance Associate will execute the duties and responsibilities outlined above under the guidance and supervision of the of the Programme Manager.

The Programme Finance Associate will work in close collaboration with the JET team as well as the team in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex issues and information delivery. 

The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies, and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

 Competencies
Core Competencies

• 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 and Technical Competencies

• Resource Management:    
  • Allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with business needs and priorities and principles of accountability and integrity.
• 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.
• Monitoring & Evaluation:     
  • Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively. 
  • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.
  • Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.
  • Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. 
  • Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. 
  • Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
• Relationship Management:    
  • Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.
• Budget Management:     
  • Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.
• Procurement Management:    
  • The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source. 
• Assets Management:    
  • Knowledge of policy & procedures on PP&E; ability to prepare financial statements on PP&E; maintain Asset Management Module in ATLAS, Asset Dashboard; develop supporting tools for assets certification and further enhancements for AM module; design and run training programs, etc. on assets management and assets recording; run AP- AM interface; perform AP-AM-GL reconciliation; perform analytical review of AM reports and asset information to ensure completeness and accuracy of asset information.
     

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary Education with specialized certification in accounting and/or Finance. 
• University degree in Finance or Accounting desirable. 
• Part-qualified accountants from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage. (The degree must state that the major is in accounting or finance. Degrees in Business Administration or Public Administration are not considered equivalent).
• 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) is 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.
• Candidate 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:

• Minimum 7 years (with Secondary Education) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in the field of administration, finance, business administration or public administration.

Required Skills:

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Desired Skills:

• Experience of working for international organization related to project implementation and previous experience managing UNDP projects is desirable;
• Demonstrated experience in project administration is an asset;
• Demonstrated experience in financial administration is desirable;
• Demonstrated experience to communicate well and interact with key partners in project implementation and delivery is an advantage;
• Demonstrated experience in project-level or state/national-level monitoring and evaluation system implementation is an asset; 
• Demonstrated experience in procurement-related tasks is desirable. 

Required Languages:

• Fluency in English and Romanian is required.
• Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Russian, Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language is an asset.

Professional Certificates:

• Additional training and/or certification in financial management and/or accounting would be an advantage.

The monthly salary for this position ranges from 29,000 MDL to 35,800 MDL net, depending on the candidate’s level of experience and qualifications.

Disclaimer

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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