Financial Specialist - UNDP - Kuwait - Closing Date : 5 Aug 2017

Financial Specialist  
UNDP  
Kuwait  
Closing Date : 5 Aug 2017

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UNDP and the State of Kuwait, represented by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council of Planning and Development (GSSCPD), strive to enhance institutional capacities at various government agencies by providing them with necessary technical support to strengthen their capacities and skills to perform their expected duties. Under the framework of the Institutional Capacity Development for Implementation of the Kuwait National Development Plan (ICDI/KNDP) project, UNDP and GSSCPD attempt to improve human capacity and organizational effectiveness of the GSSCPD for development planning. The aim is to support GSSCPD attain the ability to deliver effectively according to its mandates. GSSCPD is responsible for elaborating, coordinating and overseeing the Kuwait National Development Plan (KNDP) which addresses the challenges of economic development, human and social development, the efficiency of the state institutions and administration and combating corruption, in accordance with H.H. the Amir’s State Vision “Kuwait 2035”. Within this context, GSSCPD is seeking to recruit a Financial Specialist to support the GSSCPD to conduct internal audit, review and provide technical advice in all matters relevant to the financial operations of GSSCPD. The assignment will contribute to the following: KNDP objectives: Prepare the political and social environments to adopt development related directions and priorities as well as cohesive policies and programs that are characterized as stable and sustainable in collaboration with the legislative and executive authorities and development partners; Enabling and reinforcing GSSCPD’s role in policy-making with supportive activities, including future forecasts, crisis management, information systems, planning documentation and others.??? ICDI/KNDP project outputs: Output: Improved human capacity and organizational effectiveness of the GSSCPD for development planning; Activity Result: Improve GSSCPD policy advisory services to support decision making; Indicator: Increased efficient and effective policy advisory services delivery with GSSCPD.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Secretary General, the direct supervision of the Head of Finance and Administrative Department and with close coordination with the ICDI/KNDP Project Manager, the Financial Specialist will assume the following tasks: Financial and technical support Review the reports of the Ministry of Finance’s Auditors on the financial conduct and operations of GSSCPD and their responses to it; and to report to the Finance Director on both of the auditors’ report and the responses; Review and report to the Head of Finance and Administrative Department on the initial and final audit reports of the State Audit Bureau’s on the GSSCPD financial conduct; and to audit the entities responses to it; Assist in monitoring the settlement of the assets and liabilities traded local accounts, as well as regular accounts; Study the current situation for the procedures to monitor the settlement of foreign accounts for budget items; Support in finalizing the settlements and required technical corrections to prepare the closing accounts and close all the financial transactions in the GSSCPD budget; Provide technical support to process closing accounts and detailed statement and the clarification note according to the Ministry of Finance regulations; Study the current internal audit procedures at GSSCPD and provide technical advice on how to improve the internal audit related processes and train relevant staff on how to conduct it, (on job training); Provide technical advice on the procurement and tender procedures according to the recently established general tender law and the related rules and regulations from the Ministry of Finance; Develop forms and templates to put tenders and procurement practices in line with the new general tender law; Elaborate and clarify the rules and instructions related to procuring goods and services and practice tendering in line with the new general tender law; Develop and improve the work procedures related to coordination between the procurement and the finance units; Provide technical support in the preparation of the draft budget for the GSSCPD according to the Government Finance System (GFMIS); Put together clear procedures on how to prepare draft budgets for GSSCPD and review the projects from public entities; Any other assignment relevant to the consultancy as requested by Head of Finance and Administrative Department. Capacity building, training and ongoing support for the Finance Department at GSSCPD Based on thorough assessment, identify the coaching and training needs of the Finance Department at GSSCPD and develop a training plan to address them. Provide coaching and on-the-job-training for staff at the Finance Department at GSSCPD to enable them to implement their role in relation to financial and audit related tasks; Present monthly reports to the GSSCPD and Project Manager highlighting key deliverables and achievements with recommendations. Indicative approaches As indicated above, a key objective and approach in this assignment is to develop national capacities through facilitating learning from other countries experiences, training and knowledge and skills transfer to the staff of the Finance Department at GSSCPD. The specialist would thus be required to submit a capacity development/expertise and knowledge transfer plan based on an understanding of the needs of the Department. Outputs and Deliverables A Work Plan at the outset of the assignment - 2 weeks; A training needs assessment and training plan for the Finance Department staff - End of Month 3; Assessment and evaluation of the results of the training procedures conducted -ongoing Technical reports as agreed and communicated with the line manager at the Finance and Administrative Department; Monthly and quarterly progress reports as per standard templates- Ongoing. Roles and Coordination Requirements The Financial Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Head of the Finance and Administrative Department at the GSSCPD.? The Financial Specialist will also indirectly report to the ICDI/KNDP Project Management based with the International Cooperation Department at the GSSCPD by submitting regular reports on progress and impact of the assignment.

Competencies

The Finance Specialist should be able to demonstrate the following competencies: Functional competencies: Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing Makes the case for innovative ideas, documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches; Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms; Develops and/or participates in the development of tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies. Core Competencies: Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents; Building support and political acumen; Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation; Building and promoting effective teams; Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication; Creating an emotionally intelligent organization; Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member; Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

Education Bachelor Degree in Accounting, Finance or any related field; CFA, CIA, CPA, or CMA is an advantage Experience Minimum of 15 years of experience in Financial Audit and Financial Management; Experience in preparing and evaluating governmental contracts and reports; Familiarity with Kuwait Financial and Monitory Law and Regulations. Excellent computer skills, with MS. Office (Word, Excel, Power Point). Language requirement Fluency in oral and written English and Arabic is a must. Note: This position will be on governmental contract administered by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development. As part of the application, the applicant must attach a CV.