Individual Consultant – Accounts and Finance Specialist – UNDP India

Application Deadline : 30-Dec-21 (Midnight New York, USA)

UNDP has worked in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development, from democratic governance to poverty eradication, to sustainable energy and environmental management. UNDP’s programmes are aligned with national priorities and are reviewed and adjusted annually.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Revenue Department (DM), State Government of Himachal Pradesh responsible to undertake various actions as per the legal-institutional framework of the National Disaster Management Act 2005, has formally requested UNDP support to strengthen SDMA (State Disaster Management Authority) and all 12 DDMAs (District Disaster Management Authorities) out of funds available with it under the 14th Finance Commission Grant by providing demand-based human resource at the state and district levels to facilitate implementation of training & capacity building activities in the State. In this context, UNDP is looking for individuals for the position of Accounts and Finance Specialist to provide support to the Government of HP in the state.

Post Level : National Consultant
Languages Required : English
Duration of Initial Contract : 1 year

Duties and Responsibilities

The Accounts and Finance Specialist will be based at HPSDMA, Revenue Department (DM), Shimla and under the overall supervision of the Special Secretary (Rev-DM), he/she would carry out the following tasks:

• Prepare Annual Work Plan with budget out of the Finance Commission Grants
• Maintain book of accounts for Finance Commission Grants and other Centrally
• Sponsored /National Level Projects & Schemes
• Support in implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of DRR activities
• Develop RFP and procure services of agencies/institutions for the implementation of capacity building and related DRR activities
• Develop guidelines and support in the procurement of agencies as per state government procurement procedures for capacity building as well as other DRR related activities
• Monitor allocation of fund to and utilization by various Government and Non-government agencies
• Verify and prepare cash/cheque payment vouchers for the requests received or the expenditure incurred or receipts
• Dispatch funds to the districts/agencies for various approved activities
• Prepare proceedings of meetings/conferences of HPSDMA
• Maintain inventories
• Process reimbursements of expenses met for approved activities
• Assist in office administration and logistics
• Carry out any other work assigned by the Supervisors.

Deliverable and Payment Schedule

Submission of the report highlighting

• Annual work plan for 2022
• Number of salaries processed under UNDP contract
• Details of the project finance managed

Payment % – (8.3333%) INR-50000/

Deliverable target – 31st January 2022

Submission of the report highlighting the number of training conducted on the capacity building and DRR initiatives of HPSDMA

Payment % – (8.3333%)INR-50000/

Deliverable target – 28th February 2022

Submission of the report highlighting

• Details of the DRR training conducted
• Number of salaries released

Payment % – (8.3333%) INR-50000/

Deliverable target – 31st March 2022

Submission of the report highlighting

• Details of the guidelines developed for procurement for capacity building services.
• Number of salaries processed

Payment % – (8.3333%)INR-50000/

Deliverable target -30th April 2022

Submission of the report highlighting the details of the meetings conducted on the capacity building and DRR

Payment % – (8.3333%) INR-50000/

Deliverable target – 31st May 2022

Detailed report of the proceedings of the meetings conducted in partnership with HPSDMA for six months

Payment % – (8.3333%) INR-50000/

Deliverable target – 30th June 2022

Detailed report highlighting the inventories of the UNDP project along with the number of salaries processed for the month

Payment % – (8.3333%) INR-50000/

Deliverable target – 31st July 2022

Support provide in monitoring of the DRR UNDP activities

Payment % – (8.3333%) INR-50000/

Deliverable target – 31st August 2022

Submission of the report highlighting

• RFP’s developed under the project
• Number of salaries released

Payment % –  (8.3333%) INR-50000/

Deliverable target – 30th September 2022

Submission of the report highlighting the details of the meetings conducted on the capacity building and DRR

Payment % –  (8.3333%) INR-50000/

Deliverable target – 31st October 2022

Submission of the report highlighting

• Details of the DRR activities implemented at the state level.

Payment % – (8.3333%) INR-50000/

Deliverable target – 30th November 2022

Submission of the report highlighting

• Monitoring of allocation and results achieved by the key stakeholders and third party vendors.

Payment % – (8.3333%) INR-50000/

Deliverable target – 31st December 2022

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the State
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in the area of disaster management
• Acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
• Strong analytical, assessment and project planning skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to apply conceptual models in training & capacity building for DRR
• Good knowledge of disaster risk reduction
• Strong training skills.

Corporate Competencies:

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Essential: – University Degree in Commerce, Economics, Finance, Business management or related discipline
Desirable: Good Computer knowledge related to book keeping and accounting such as Tally, SPSS, Excel etc.

Experience:

Essential: Minimum of 3 years of experience in handling finance and accounts in Central or State Government or Public Sector Undertaking

Candidates having served in State Accounts Service Cadre will be given preference.

Language: Fluency in Hindi & English language is required.

Duration of the Work: The contract will be awarded for one year. Working days will be as per the State Government policy.

Official Travel:

All official travel must be authorized and certified in advance. Candidates will be entitled to get TA/DA as per government rules from DDMA and in case of the official journey outside the State, prior approval of the Disaster Management cell shall be required.

Institutional Arrangement:

• Contract will be administered by UNDP on behalf of the State Government of Himachal Pradesh
• All the logistic support related to official travel will be borne by the Government of Himachal Pradesh as per their prevailing rules
• Consultant will be entitled to 2 days leave per month (non-encashable).

Monitoring at State/District/UNDP India level-Proper monitoring of the selected candidates at the State and the district level:

State Government-

• Special Secretary (Rev- DM) will be the nodal officer/reporting authority for the selected candidates and monthly report/quarterly reports of the candidates will be go through Special Secretary (Rev- DM).
• Submission of attendance sheet and activity report (Monthly and quarterly) including of photographs and details of the meeting/training on 25th of every month to State Government/HPSDMA, in order to send the report to UNDP India office timely. Format of the attendance sheet will be provided by the UNDP India.

Extension of services of the Candidates:

• Extension of services of the candidates shall be based on performance review by DDMA and recommendation of the Deputy Commissioner cum Chairman- DDMA.
• Selected candidates will devote his/her time and attention exclusively to the duties entrusted to him/her and will not engage his/herself to work for any other institution or person or association or organization in any capacity if found, will be considered as disqualification.

Documentation required:

Personal CV, indicating all experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Preliminary shortlisting would be done based on the following criteria:

• Educational Qualification 30% Marks;
• Relevant Experience 50% Marks;
• Suitability for the assignment 20% Marks.

The shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo a written test over email. Only those candidates who score 50% and above in the written test will be eligible to appear for the interview. Interviews will be based around the competencies (skills) required as per the ToR and would be either conducted face to face in Shimla / New Delhi or by telephone / over skype. If face to face interviews are conducted, travel costs will be borne by the shortlisted Consultants. The contract shall be awarded on a merit basis.