Operations Quality Assurance Analyst

Job Description

The Position:

Under the overall responsibility of the Director of the Pacific Sub Regional Office (PSRO), and direct supervision of the International Operations Manager (IOM), the Operations Quality Assurance Analyst is located in PSRO (Suva, Fiji) and will provide Operations and Quality Assurance support to the implementation of UNFPA’s 7^th Multi-Country Programme (2023-2027) for fourteen (14) Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) covered by PSRO.

The Operations Quality Assurance Analyst will work closely with UNFPA Programme Officers, Operations Team, and national/regional Implementing Partners, including providing support and oversight of the programme team in the countries.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

 

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

 

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

 

Job Purpose:

The Operations Quality Assurance Analyst ensures effective and transparent utilization of financial resources and integrity of financial services of the UNFPA Pacific Sub Regional Office (PSRO) in Fiji which serves 14 PICTs.

S/he will conduct risk assessments and analyze factors affecting delivery and results achievement, recommend corrective actions, and follow up on recommendations. S/he promotes a client-oriented approach, consistent with UNFPA rules and regulations.

You would be responsible for:

A. Provide effective financial control support to the Sub Regional Office, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

 

• Provide support in the assessment and follow-up action of the office Enterprise Risk Management Plan including the appropriate application of the Internal Control Framework in accordance with UNFPA policies and procedures.

 

• Take a lead role in the effective implementation of the UN System-wide Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) in the Pacific Island Countries/Territories that PSRO supports. Ensure implementation of assurance activities of implementing partners in accordance with the Assurance Plan. Provide Quality Assurance on all financial monitoring activities carried out in the countries from the conception of the programme until the follow-up of an action that may be required following assurance activities.

 

• Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing for both the various UNFPA Country Offices around the Pacific and Implementing Partner agencies staff organizing training on financial management and financial reporting. Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practices synthesizing lessons learned and best practices in financial management. 

 

• Recommend and when appropriate, carry out capacity development activities and advise on systems improvements for implementing partners. Conduct assessments of partners’ financial controls, capacity, and systems to ensure their conformity with international standards and sound financial segregation of duties

 

• Participate in Inter-Agency Finance Task Force meetings. Participate in the HACT meetings. Participate in other collaborative exercises such as micro assessment/macro assessment, assurance activities, and spot check plans of IPs jointly prepared by UN ExCom agencies.

 

• Provide Quality Assurance on program supplies activities (RH commodities) and support in carrying out assurance activities in the 14 Pacific countries (from assessment of warehouse, spot checks, review quality of inventory reports, and any other assurance activities that may be required). 

 

• In close collaboration with Programme Staff evaluate WPs activities, carry out a quality review of accounts, and verifies compliance with established budget lines, work plan (WP), and programme priorities.  Prepare and analyze financial data for budget estimates and financial planning. Ensure that key business knowledge is gathered and appropriately actioned, e.g. assurance prioritization, and training.

 

B. Provide effective resource mobilization control support to the Pacific Sub-Regional Office, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

 

• Act as a focal point for donor reporting and assist in the management of budgets of non-core resources of the Pacific Sub Regional Office for 14 Pacific Island Countries/Territories by budget formulation, controlling allotments, monitoring expenditures, and preparing revisions according to the needs and in line with the UNFPA policy and procedures.

 

• Develop tools and mechanisms to perform efficient and effective monitoring of program and projects budgets; coordinate compilation of financial data, detect potential over/under expenditure problems and suggest remedial action; provide accurate and updated financial information to HQ on a regular basis;

 

C. Ensure effective analysis and implementation of UNFPA operations strategies at PSRO, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

 

• Assist in developing systems and oversight mechanisms for effective operations of the SRO.

 

• Continuously review and analyze the operations systems of PSRO, and give advice on positive changes and organization-wide best practices to improve the service provision.

 

• Constantly follow up on actions in all operations units to ensure that PSRO is efficient in its service and compliance with the organizations’ requirements and propose ways to improve.

 

• Serve as Officer-in-Charge for Operations in the absence of Operations Manager, as requested

Qualifications and Experience: 

 

Education:  

• Advanced university degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, and Business Management with a background in financial assessment and or audit.

 

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Two (2) years of progressively responsible professional work experience in accounting, audit, or financial management.
• Knowledge in providing management advisory services and/or managing staff.
• Experience in operations in the UN/UNFPA Country/Regional Office is an asset.
• Good writing and communication skills with the ability to draft correspondence in a clear, accurate, and concise manner.
• Good interpersonal, planning, organizational, and multi-tasking skills.
• Ability to work independently and harmoniously in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic team environment maintaining tact and discretion in all dealings.
• Computer literacy - Proficiency in the use of MS Office Packages and the Internet.
• Good knowledge of PeopleSoft is an asset.

Languages: 

• Proficiency in written and oral English. Working knowledge of Pacific languages is an asset.

 

Required Competencies: 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 

• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 

• Embracing cultural diversity, 

• Embracing change

 

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,

• Being accountable,

• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,

• Thinking analytically and strategically,

• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

• Communicating for impact.

 

Functional Competencies:

• Promoting accountability and results-based management,
• Implementing management systems,
• Organizational awareness,
• Promoting organizational learning and knowledge sharing,  
• Building strategic alliances and partnerships,
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization.

 

Compensation and Benefits:

 

 

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

Disclaimer: 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm

In accordance with the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.