Finance Specialist-(2 openings)[Open to internal and external applicants who are nationals of t[...]
23 hours ago
Madrid
Job Description This vacancy is open to nationals of EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland. Background The Bureau for Management Services’ Office of Financial Resources Management (BMS/OFRM) supports the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the implementation of the 2030 agenda and UNDP’s Strategic Plan. It achieves this by developing and making fully operational a dynamic and harmonized integrated resource management framework based on comprehensive analysis that enhances UNDP’s financial and administrative performance, as well as facilitating UN reform and coherence. The primary role of BMS/OFRM is to maintain the financial integrity of UNDP through providing functional leadership, supporting the efficient and effective management of its financial resources, promoting financial sustainability, and responsible resource allocation. This is accomplished by the development and implementation of sound financial policies and practices, oversight of corporate financial management performance, and flexible, scalable support to resource allocation. BMS/OFRM serves as a business partner to Bureaux and Country Offices, providing sound financial management, advisory and analytical services, with a view to continuously improving the financial management performance of business units and supporting Bureaux in the exercise of their oversight functions. Key Duties and Accountabilities Deliver process analysis and improvement across core finance processes. Conduct detailed analysis of current-state finance processes, particularly across the record‑to‑report lifecycle, to identify inefficiencies, control gaps, and opportunities for standardization and automation. Document and lead current‑state and future‑state process flows, business requirements, and control considerations to support system‑enabled redesign. Lead the implementation of approved process improvements, ensuring alignment with financial policies, control requirements, and operational realities. Support fast close initiatives by identifying manual interventions, reconciliation bottlenecks, and reporting dependencies, and proposing practical, scalable improvements. Contribute to fast close and continuous accounting initiatives. Identify and support initiatives aimed at reducing manual interventions, reconciliation efforts, and cycle times during month‑end, quarter‑end, and year‑end close processes. Analyze close activities, identifying bottlenecks and data dependencies, and propose practical improvements under guidance from the Head, FIT. Conduct testing, validation, and rollout of process or system changes designed to improve close efficiency while maintaining audit‑level quality and assurance. Implement automation, systems, and data‑enabled solutions by preparing requirements, assisting with configuration analysis, and conducting testing activities, including user acceptance testing (UAT). Work with finance, systems, and analytics colleagues to ensure solutions are embedded within core financial systems and supported by reliable data flows. Monitor the performance and effectiveness of implemented solutions and address refinement as required. Provide analytical support for finance transformation initiatives, performing structured financial, process, and data analysis in support of approved transformation initiatives, including preparation of analytical outputs, dashboards, and briefing materials. Support the preparation of business cases, implementation plans, and progress reporting for finance innovation initiatives. Prepare the documentation, guidance, and knowledge materials to support the adoption and sustainability of implemented changes. Lead coordination with relevant finance units, GSSC, IT, and other stakeholders to facilitate delivery of process and system improvements. Implement change management activities, including preparation of communication materials, training content, and user guidance. Monitor issue tracking and resolution during implementation phases, escalating risks or blockers to the Head, FIT as appropriate. Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in finance. Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Perform other duties within the functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization. Core Competencies Achieve Results – Level 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, and have a 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 the benefits of a diverse workforce and champion inclusivity. Cross‑Functional & Technical Competencies Finance Accounting: Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks, standards, regulations, policies, and trends, and the ability to apply this to strategic and practical situations. Finance Financial Risk Management: Ensures financial resilience through proactive assessment of risk, implementation of controls, and taking mitigating action. Finance, Financial and Process Innovation, Financial and Business Process Engineering: Expertise required to innovate, design, change, and implement new financial business models, financial instruments, financing opportunities, business processes, policies and procedures, and technological solutions. Business Management Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize, and control the organization’s programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity. Business Direction & Strategy Systems Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system. Qualifications Education: Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Finance or Accounting, and/or a professional accounting qualification from an accredited institute of accountancy, is required. First‑level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience, is given due consideration in lieu of an advanced university degree. Professional accounting qualifications from an accredited institute of accountancy provide a distinct advantage. Candidates with no accountancy qualification but with relevant experience must successfully undertake the UNDP Advanced Accountancy and Finance Test (AAFT) to be eligible for shortlisting. Candidates with no professional accountancy qualifications but with degrees that major in accountancy and/or finance must complete the UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP) if recruited. Minimum Years of Relevant Work Experience: Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in datasets and financial system outputs, applying analytical techniques to identify trends, anomalies, and opportunities for process or control improvements. Experience, Knowledge, and Skills: Strong analytical and report‑writing skills with a proven track record. Demonstrated experience in AI, digital transformation, and process automation, eager to explore and apply new technologies. Experience conforming to international accounting standards (e.g., IPSAS/IFRS) and full accruals accounting conventions. Experience working with ERP systems (preferably Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP and Oracle Cloud EPM). Experience as a collaborative team player with flexibility to work across global time zones. Desirable Criteria: Audit and/or consulting experience in a large international auditing firm. Process transformation experience in large organizations, including strong project management, process, and problem‑solving skills to resolve ambiguity and design scalable workflows, and translate clearly between business and technical stakeholders. Experience working in the UN system. Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another UN language is an advantage. Professional Certificates: Distinct advantage: ACCA, CPA, CIMA, CIPFA, or other internationally recognized accounting certifications. Equal Opportunity UNDP values diversity and is committed to an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, valued, and able to thrive. Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, and Abuse of Authority UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination, or abuse of authority. All selected candidates 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 and may consider applicants for other similar positions at the same grade level. Scam Alert UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, see . #J-18808-Ljbffr