Finance Specialist (Re-Advertisement - Open to internal and external applicants who are nationals of the EU, EEA and Switzerland)

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 improve the financial management performance of business units and support Bureaux in the exercising of their oversight functions.

Within OFRM, the Financial Performance and Management Reporting (FPMR) is responsible for oversight of financial reporting, the preparation and integrity of UNDP’s financial statements, and providing timely and accurate financial information in accordance with international accounting standards. FPMR fosters trust and accountability through leadership in financial policy, robust internal financial controls, and close engagement with auditors to support an unqualified audit opinion, while also delivering expert accounting and financial advisory support, addressing complex and non-routine financial issues, and overseeing financial risk related to implementing partners, enabling informed senior decision-making and sustained audit assurance.

• Corporate Financial Reporting (CFR): Responsible for promoting clear accountability for financial transactions and for producing UNDP’s corporate financial statements.
• Financial Performance Management (FPM): Responsible for managing aspects of financial performance, including the administration of the Annual Representation exercise and the Statement of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting; monitoring of financial risks related to financial statement integrity; and management of the implementing partners policy framework, including the agency-wide Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) framework.
• Payroll Finance Oversight (PFO): Responsible for the financial oversight of payroll accounting functions, as well as the reporting of employee benefits and liabilities for all UNDP personnel.
• Finance & Integration Technologies (FIT): provides expert, structured financial analysis to resolve complex, non-routine issues and enhance the quality and timeliness of information available for senior management decision-making.

The Financial Performance Management (FPM) unit forms part of FPMR within the Office of Financial Management (OFRM). The unit is responsible for financial performance management, including the design, implementation, and maintenance of the financial performance framework, as well as supporting the analysis of internal controls and the identification and tracking of emerging financial risks across the organization. 
The FPM unit serves as the organizational focal point for the United Nations inter-agency Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) framework, providing authoritative policy guidance, processes and tools for the management of financial risks associated with programme implementation by UNDP Implementing Partners.

In addition, the unit is responsible for administering the Annual Representation exercise conducted by all UNDP Offices. This is a core component of the Statement of Internal Control over Financial Reporting (SICFR) and directly supports the Administrator’s Financial Statements Representation to the United Nations Board of Auditors (UNBOA).

The position provides specialized technical expertise and serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in financial risk management, with a strong focus on IPSAS, compliance to the UNDP regulatory and policy framework, and support to internal and external audit processes, including engagement with the United Nations Board of Auditors

•  Lead the formulation, continuous improvement, and corporate interpretation of UNDP financial risk management policies, including the HACT Framework.
• Oversee the design and enhancement of digital tools, dashboards, and ERP-based solutions to strengthen risk identification, monitoring, and compliance.
• As the technical SME, provide strategic advisory support and necessary training to UNDP offices units on complex financial risk matters, ensuring consistent application of policies and internal controls.
•  Drive cross-functional and inter-agency coordination on financial risk management, representing UNDP as the technical lead in HACT-related fora.
• Ensure UNDP policies on financial risk management are evidence-based, benchmarked against international standards, and aligned with emerging risks and operational realities.

• Lead the planning, rollout, and technical management of the Annual Representation Exercise, including tool enhancement, quality reviews, and validation of submissions.
• Maintain and refine the methodology linking Annual Representation outcomes to the SICFR risk framework, ensuring coherence and evidentiary-based exercise.
• Provide authoritative technical guidance to Business Process Owners and offices to strengthen compliance and readiness for corporate representations.
• Prepare assigned sections of SICFR and related corporate reporting, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and alignment with internal control frameworks.
• Deliver clear, actionable feedback to offices on the Annual Representation submissions and SICFR to improve internal control maturity before subsequent exercises.

• Lead complex analytical reviews and technical assessments required for the preparation of IPSAS-compliant financial statements and related disclosures.
• Contribute to drafting primary financial statements and notes, including technical research on accounting treatments and materiality assessments.
• Produce high-level analytical insights, briefing notes, and decision-support materials for senior management, highlighting key financial drivers and risks.
• Evaluate the impact of new IPSAS standards or policy changes, providing strategic recommendations for UNDP’s accounting and reporting framework.
• Ensure accuracy of financial data used for corporate reporting by validating ERP outputs, reconciliations, and adjustments.

• Support engagement with internal and external auditors, including the UN Board of Auditors (UNBOA), ensuring timely and robust responses to audit requests.
• Prepare and validate audit samples, documentation, and evidence to demonstrate adherence to internal controls and IPSAS-compliant financial processes.
• Support post-audit follow-up and year-round readiness, facilitating management responses and monitoring implementation of recommendations.
• Strengthen internal control practices by identifying systemic issues, recommending corrective actions, and promoting knowledge sharing across the organization.
• Maintain comprehensive audit trails, reconciliations and supporting documentation contributing to sustained unqualified audit opinions.

• Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in Finance. 
•  Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

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

• Review and collate performance data and provide relevant analysis for use in preparing formal reports and documents on financial resources management including responses to UNDP’s key stakeholders.  
   

• 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

• Advanced University Degree (masters degree or equivalent )  in Finance or Accounting, and/or a professional accounting qualification from an accredited institute of accountancy 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  

• Minimum 5 years (with master´s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor´s degree) of relevant financial management/reporting experience in a large multi-national or international organization. 

• Those with professional accounting qualifications from an accredited institute of accountancy will have 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 UNDP Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited

• Proven experience and a sound understanding of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and/or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) required.
• Experience with ERP financial systems is required (preferably Oracle).
• Knowledge of risk management principles and frameworks, including enterprise risk management concepts.
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills with a proven track record.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and across teams. 
• Demonstrated experience in AI, digital transformation, and process automation. Eager to explore and apply new technologies.
• Experience as a collaborative team player with flexibility to work across global time zones

• Audit experience (internal and/or external).
• Experience in leading complex analytical reviews and technical assessments
• Prior experience with UN/ UNDP
• Experience in producing  high-level analytical insights, briefing notes, and decision-support materials for senior management

• Fluency in English is required. 
• Working knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

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.

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. 

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.

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

Band / Grade: NPSA Level 10

Remuneration: UNDP PSA remuneration is based on grade bands. In Madrid, the remuneration in this band ranges from EUR 4,819 to EUR 6,188, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits: The PSA contract also includes a generous benefits package, including leave (annual leave, sick leave, and parental leave), medical insurance, and pension contributions.

For more information: please visit UNDP's careers site