Project Operations Associate (Finance) [Open to internal and external applicants]

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The Philippines is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world, mostly from climate change impacts. The country has enunciated policies and programmes to reduce these risks, among others the finalization of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), the Philippines Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP). It has also institutionalized a climate budget tagging process for all agencies and developed tools and mechanisms to mainstream climate change and vulnerability assessments in various levels of programming. However, to achieve the desired transformation, funding would be needed not only from government but from private sector as well. Business decisions and investment priorities should be aligned with the country’s ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve adaptation of communities to protect people, assets, and communities at risk. The government has been at the forefront of this initiative through several policy measures. These include, the Central Bank’s Sustainable Finance Framework, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Guidelines on Environmental, social and Governance reporting, and more recently, the Sustainable Finance Roadmap issues by the Interagency Task Force on Sustainable Finance, led by the Department of Finance.

In order to support the initiatives on increasing public and private sector investments towards mitigating impacts of climate change and improving resilience of national and local government agencies and communities, UNDP is implementing the Project: Accelerating Green and Climate Finance in the Philippines: Nature Based Solutions (Climate Finance PH-NBS). With funding support from the Government of Canada, the Project aims to increase private sector investments into gender responsive nature-based solutions for climate resilient technologies, innovations, practices and approaches. This, in support of a just transition to resilient and low emission development that sustains nature and ecosystems and protects the rights of all who are affected and at risk. This Project will contribute to the realization of the economic prize offered by investments in nature-based solutions in the Philippines.

To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the project has four main components.

• Component 1: Gender-sensitive platforms for data-driven policymaking and regulatory strengthening for climate finance.
• Component 2: Design and implementation of Innovative Green and Climate Finance Solutions.
• Component 3: Capacity building of banks and non-bank financial institutions to increase finance flows to gender sensitive, green, and climate solutions.
• Component 4: Independent monitoring system on gender and SDG impacts of green and climate investments.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Operations Associate (Finance) will provide comprehensive support for the project’s daily operations, ensuring efficient administrative, financial, and procurement processes in compliance with UNDP standards. In particular, s/he will ensure end-to-end processing of financial transactions in accordance with UNDP’s Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP).

A. Financial Management and Control

• Manage day-to-day project financial operations in compliance with UNDP financial regulations, internal controls, and donor requirements.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records and complete books of accounts in line with UNDP accounting standards.
• Monitor, reconcile, and analyze project accounts, expenditures, and advances; ensure timely liquidation and recommend corrective actions.
• Manage cash advances and petty cash for project activities and office operations, including tracking of all advances and settlements.
• Prepare, review, and certify financial transactions (e.g., vouchers, payments, payroll), ensuring completeness, accuracy, and proper documentation.
• Process and verify payment requests, ensuring compliance with procedures and budget availability.
• Administer internal expenditure control systems and ensure accurate processing and posting of transactions in Quantum (including purchase orders and travel claims).
• Identify and resolve financial discrepancies and system issues (e.g., unposted vouchers, budget errors, match exceptions) in a timely manner.

B. Budgeting, Reporting, and Compliance

• Monitor budget utilization, maintain records of approved budgets and revisions, and support budget planning, forecasting, and preparation of annual work plans.
• Generate periodic financial and budget reports, including fund utilization and status reports, for management, donors, and audit purposes.
• Review and validate financial reports (e.g., Combined Delivery Reports, FACE forms) and ensure compliance with HACT requirements (audits, spot checks, micro-assessments).
• Support preparation of corporate and donor reporting requirements, including quarterly and annual project reports.
• Participate in audits and monitoring exercises, prepare responses, and ensure timely implementation of audit recommendations.
• Provide financial guidance to project staff and Responsible Parties, including orientation on FACE and ICE forms and financial procedures.

C. Operations and Procurement

• Contribute to the preparation of procurement plans in accordance with the project annual work plans and monitor their implementation.
• Manage end-to-end procurement processes (goods, services, and consultants), including specifications, solicitation documents, cost estimates, and contract issuance.
• Review procurement requests, conduct market research, and provide recommendations to ensure transparent, competitive, and cost-effective procurement.
• Create and manage procurement transactions in Quantum (including e-requisitions) and maintain proper documentation and tracking.
• Administer and monitor contracts with partners, suppliers, and consultants, including amendments, performance monitoring, and closure.
• Provide logistical support for meetings, workshops, and missions, including venue arrangements, travel bookings, and DSA calculations.
• Manage asset and inventory systems, ensuring proper recording, maintenance, and disposal in line with UNDP policies.
• Conduct annual physical verification of assets and ensure timely reporting.

D. Support to the Climate Action Programme Team

• Process cash advance and direct payments of selected CAPT projects under the National Implementation Modality (NIM)
• Provide finance-related quality assurance oversight to NIM Projects, including ensuring follow through actions of indicated management responses for spot check and financial audit exercises

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

4. Institutional Arrangement

The Project Operations Associate (Finance) will work under the immediate supervision of and directly report to the AGCF Project Manager. S/he will work closely with the project team and UNDP Country Office units to fulfill all administrative and financial management requirements of the Project, in line with the UNDP policies and standards.

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 & Technical competencies

Business Management : Project management : Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Communication : Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages

and choose communication methods depending on the audience

Ability to relate and ensure sensibilities of communication taking into consideration the cultural context of the audience

Business Direction & Strategy : Business acumen : Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions with such frameworks

Partnership Management: 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

Finance : Budget management : Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets

Procurement : Procurement management : Ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source

Administration & Operations : Events management (including retreats, trainings, and meetings) : Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education; OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in Accounting, Finance, Business or Public Administration, Management, Development Management, or related fields will be given due consideration but not a requirement.
• 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 of 7 years (with secondary education) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of experience in project administration, finance, procurement, or related fields is required.

Required Skills:

• At least 2 years of experience in supporting the management and implementation of development projects;
• Demonstrated experience in project administration and financial management, including preparation of budgets, annual work plans, procurement processes, and financial reporting;
• Proven Ability to administer and execute financial transactions, including budget formulation, financial analysis, and expenditure monitoring

Desired Skills:

• At least 2 years’ experience in handling of web-based management systems and ERP financials, preferably Oracle (Quantum);
• At least 4 years’ experience in admin and finance with foreign aid supported projects, development organizations, nongovernment organizations or international organization.
• Experience with UN or UNDP financial rules, policies and procedures
• Certifications in finance, accounting and procurement.

Required languages: Fluent (both in oral and written) English and Filipino is required

Equal opportunity

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.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

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.

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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