Job Description
| Organization | United Nations Office for Project Services |
| Job categories | Project Management |
| Job Title | Project Finance Advisor |
| Vacancy code | VA/2021/B5312/22956 |
| Level | ICS-11 |
| Department/office | AFR, ETMCO, Sudan |
| Duty station | Port Sudan, Sudan |
| Contract type | International ICA |
| Contract level | IICA-3 |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Application period | 25-Nov-2021 to 11-Dec-2021 |
Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.
Background Information – PSC
Peace and Security ClusterThe UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. It is led by the Director, who has overall authority and accountability for the performance PSC on behalf of its clients. The Director is responsible for administering and providing oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations.
Functional Responsibilities
The Project Finance Advisor will work in partnership with UNOPS and support capacity building activity development and implementation, with specific focus on finance and management capacity areas. The Project Finance Advisor will support the project manager with all technical implementation issues relating to capacity building (operational and project management issues are dealt with by the existing team). This requires engagement and commitment as a team member and goes beyond implementing only specific tasks. The support envisaged may be adapted as the needs of the project evolve.
In addition, the Project Finance Advisor may be required to contribute expert input, as part of a conceptualization team, to development of the Framework for management of urban utilities in Sudan
1. Support capacity building
1.1 General support to capacity building
The Project Finance Advisor will support capacity building on the project through
- Collaborating with the team to strengthen the capacity building approach and tools, including developing and adapting tools.
- Support, through mentorship and targeted ad-hoc training, the development of capacity in the UNOPS field team to implement their capacity building and planning roles in the project to ensure that mini reform projects are implemented, and results are achieved.
- Support the conceptualization of the “introduction to risk management” training and workshops.
1.2 Capacity building for financial management
The project envisages strengthening the financial management capacity of UWAs in five specific areas
- Updating the customer database, including updating software aspects and adding a mapping component
- Strengthening invoicing, collections and revenue collection tracking
- Improving budget structure and comprehensiveness and linking budgeting to delivery, as well as training on budgeting
- Training on, and development of, a tariff model
- Mapping unaccounted for and non-revenue water.
The project also envisages introducing cost benchmarking and management concepts and tools, as well as introducing asset management, depreciation, replacement and valuation concepts, but it is unlikely that any reform will be achieved in this area during the project period.
Further, the UWAs wish to improve their accounting by introducing double-entry book-keeping systems and computerization of accounting systems.
A local financial expert and a database expert will be appointed to support the financial improvement locally and to implement the financial improvement project on the ground. The Project Finance Advisor – Retainer under this assignment will design the process for strengthening the financial capacity, develop the technical instruments and training materials and manage the local experts. Workshops and training sessions will be led by the project manager with the support of the local experts.
1.3 Capacity building for monitoring and reporting
The project is in the process of identifying KPIs for use by the UWAs, building on 10 KPIs previously used and on the reform project objectives identified during the problem analysis phase. The local M&E expert and the project manager will undertake the local advocacy and training on the monitoring and reporting capacity building. The local M&E expert will be responsible for developing the report templates, indicator definitions and methodologies, and for running training workshops on these.
The Project Finance Advisor under this assignment will provide advisory and mentoring support on indicators, collaborating with the local M&E expert and the project manager to develop a menu of indicators, definitions and measurement methods for the ten key performance areas for utilities.
2 Contribute to development of framework for urban utilities
Contribute expert input, as part of a conceptualization team, to development of the Framework for management of urban utilities in Sudan. This will involve participating in a brainstorming and project design discussion, and commenting on the conceptual research, analysis and conceptual framework, with specific contribution on indicators and financial strategies for utilities. It will also involve providing input on the knowledge management and dissemination project, which covers the KM centre, website and Communities of Practice.
Deliverables:
The Project Finance Advisor will deliver:
- a short monthly report on progress on agreed activities
- other outputs, including project plans, training materials, workshop methodologies, as agreed from time to time.
- Report on RSWC finance and commercial functions, their reform and training needs along with proposed actions.
- RSWC Financial Management and Procurement Manual
- Standard financial reporting templates
- Cost recovery plan
Check: Introduction to Finance and Accounting Specialization by University of Pennsylvania
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education
- Advanced university degree in water-related engineering, institutional development, financial management, business management or other fields.
- A first university degree (A Bachelor in one of the above mentioned fields) combined with 2 additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master degree.
Work Experience
- Seven years (or more depending on academic credentials) relevant professional experience in public sector institutional capacity development, management systems, public sector financial management, capacity building, water utility management or other areas related to this assignment is required.
- Experience in capacity building of individuals and/or institutions is an asset.
- Experience in report preparation is required.
- Knowledge and/or experience of the water and general development environment of Sudan would be an advantage.
- Experience in implementation of projects in post-conflict environments would be an asset.
- Training or experience in social science areas would be an asset.
- Experience in team management would be an advantage.
Language
- Full working knowledge of the English language is required. Knowledge of Arabic language will be an asset.
Competencies
Strategic Perspective
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)
Integrity & Inclusion
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion
Leading Self and Others
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles
Partnering
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Results Orientation
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Agility
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Solution Focused
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Effective communication
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.
Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (I-ICA)
Contract level: I-ICA 3
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Additional Considerations
- Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
- Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
- Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
- Work life harmonization – UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
- The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
Check: Stanford University Free Online Courses
Background Information – Sudan
Sudan
The UNOPS Sudan office is based in Khartoum and works closely with the Government of Sudan and international partners to support humanitarian response, recovery and development initiatives. UNOPS is the United Nations sector lead for the Basic Infrastructure Sector in Sudan and helps partners achieve their project goals in sectors including: water resource management, education, census and elections, human resource management and mine action.
Check: Harvard University Free Online Courses
Background Information – Job-specific
The FCDO Urban Water for Sudan (UW4S) programme is working to improve the health and nutrition, as well as to reduce the economic burden, for traditional residents as well as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in five state capitals in Sudan, including Port Sudan.
The UW4S project seeks to improve the equity of water supply and complementary sanitation and hygiene behaviour change in a sustainable manner. It focuses on holistic planning, provides basic infrastructure and helps state authorities build their ability to sustainably manage, operate and maintain their water services, with improved engagement with citizens.
Under the first phase of the FCDO project, information of the Port Sudan water supply situation was gathered and analysed as inputs to the Strategic Investment Plan (SIP). The study resulted in the SIP and planning documents for 14 work packages under three stages; emergency rehabilitation and TA, priority rehabilitation and long term interventions.
Urban water for Port Sudan project
The project is based on the priorities identified in the SIP, specifically, SIP work packages 1 to 4 (emergency works and Phase 2 technical assistance). This project covers components of the Stage 1 Emergency works and part of the Stage 2 Priority works capacity building and technical assistance package. The project’s scope of work is aligned with the available DFID budget and takes account of work being funded from other sources or implemented by others such as the AfDB.
The FCDO UW4S programme- Port Sudan component objective is to support sustainable water provision in Part Sudan through strengthening the capacity of the Red Sea Water Corporation.
