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 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sierra Leone supports the United Nations system through its integrated offer, using a people-first approach centred on the ‘leave no one behind’ principle, and a human rights- and area-based development strategy. In alignment with the 2030 Agenda, National Development Plan, United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, the African Union Agenda 2063, the programme seeks to reduce multidimensional poverty and enhance justice, peace, social cohesion, and resilience with its focus on two pillars: (a) People-centred sustainable development and resilience, prioritising people’s well-being and planetary health and (b) Inclusive governance, peace, and prosperity, embodying harmonious development, effective resource management, and equitable governance. Furthermore, the UNDP comparative advantage includes leveraging global and regional partnerships, working across economic, social, and environmental goals, strengthening good governance, and providing technical and policy-oriented support, all while ensuring national ownership for sustainable outcomes.

In 2025, UNDP signed an agreement with the United Nations Multi‑Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTFO) to implement the project activities under Spotlight Initiative 2.0 in Sierra Leone. Within this framework, UNDP serves as the hosting agency for the Programme Coordination Team, which is embedded in UNDP and supported administratively by the Country Office. The team consists of a Programme Coordinator, an M&E and Knowledge Management Specialist, a CSO and Advocacy Analyst, and Operations Analyst (Finance and Administration).

To ensure the timely implementation of project activities and maintain the highest standards of accountability, the UNDP Spotlight team requires dedicated financial and administrative support. He/she will will provide essential operational, logistical, and administrative support regarding managing financial and administrative processes, while each Reciepient UN Agency for the Spotlight Programme follows its financial regulations and ensures compliance, the Analyst will coordinate common financial planning and monitoring of financial delivery. Additionally, the Analyst will undertake administrative tasks, including coordinating meetings, maintaining documentation, and supporting procurement processes.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Spotlight Programme Coordinator and in coordination with the Spotlight Program coordination team and the UNDP operations unit, the Operations Analyst (Finance and Administration)will perform the following functions:

Ensure Financial Management and Administrative Coordination

Provide financial and administrative support for the effective implementation of Spotlight Programme coordination activities in accordance with UNDP rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Monitor the Spotlight Programme budgets, expenditures, and delivery rates, ensuring proper utilization of resources and timely identification of financial discrepancies or implementation delays across the four UN agencies.
Review the Spotlight Programme coordination related payment requests, invoices, supporting documentation, and financial records for completeness, accuracy, and compliance prior to submission for processing.
Support the four UN agencies in budget planning, expenditure forecasting, and preparation of budget revisions and financial projections as required.
Maintain and oversee financial and administrative filing systems, ensuring accurate record keeping, traceability, and accessibility of documentation for the Spotlight programme coordination activities.
Monitor deadlines related to payments, contracts, reporting, and operational processes, and proactively follow up on pending actions.
Support the organization of missions, meetings, workshops, and events, including administrative and financial coordination arrangements.

Ensure procurement, contracts, and operational support

Support procurement and contract management processes in compliance with UNDP procurement policies and procedures.
Prepare, review, and maintain procurement, contractual, and administrative documentation, ensuring completeness and compliance with audit and operational requirements.
Monitor procurement plans, contract implementation status, vendor documentation, and payment schedules to support timely project delivery.
Review vendor invoices and supporting documents against contractual terms, deliverables, and approved budgets before payment processing.
Coordinate with suppliers, service providers, consultants, and relevant stakeholders to resolve administrative and operational issues in a timely manner.
Contribute to the preparation of terms of reference, requests for quotations, evaluation documentation, and administrative justifications related to procurement and contracting actions.
Support asset and inventory tracking related to project implementation and ensure proper documentation and record management.
Contribute to improving operational workflows, administrative tracking tools, and filing systems to strengthen efficiency and accountability.

Reporting compliance, project support and facilitating knowledge management

Contribute to the preparation of financial, operational, and administrative reports by compiling, reviewing, and validating supporting documentation and expenditure data.
Support compliance with UNDP financial, administrative, and operational procedures through regular monitoring and verification of project records and transactions.
Coordinate the organization and maintenance of documentation for audits, evaluations, monitoring missions, and verification exercises.
Identify financial or administrative issues and escalate them to the supervisor with proposed corrective actions and follow-up recommendations.
Provide administrative and operational support for implementation of annual work plans, procurement plans, and project reporting requirements.
Support knowledge management and documentation of operational processes, lessons learned, and best practices related to project implementation.
Ensure confidentiality, transparency, accuracy, and integrity in the management of project financial and administrative information and documentation.

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

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

Working with Evidence and Data
- Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.
Monitoring & Evaluation
- Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively;
- Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results;
- Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming;
- Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools;
- Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks;
- Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
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 manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Finance

Budget Management
- Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.
Accounting (General)
- Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks, standards, regulations, policies and trends, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.
Financial reporting and analysis
- Understands changes in regulatory, legal and ethical frameworks and standards for financial reporting in the public sector;
- Ability to extract, evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful and coherent manner to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring;
- Understands the benefits of integrated reporting, including non- financial resources such as human, social and intellectual capital, and environmental and governance performance.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A professional accounting qualification from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy, and/or Advanced (Masters) University Degree in Finance and/or Accounting is required. Or
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
Candidates with professional accounting qualifications from an internationally accredited institute of accountancy will have a distinct advantage.
Candidates with no professional accountancy qualifications, but with degrees that major in accountancy and/or finance, must complete the Finance Training and Certification Programme (FTCP), if recruited.
Candidates satisfying the two above criteria are exempted from undertaking the UNDP Advanced Accountancy and Finance Test (AAFT).
Candidates with MBA or master’s in finance with no accountancy qualification but with relevant experience must successfully undertake the UNDP Advanced Accountancy and Finance Test (AAFT) to be eligible for shortlisting.

Experience:

Applicants with master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in providing financial, administrative, operation or accounting support.

Desired skills:

Experience in project / programme administration.
Demonstrated ability to maintain organized records and filing systems.
Experience using Microsoft Excel and other basic office applications.
Demonstrated ability to support preparation of financial summaries and administrative reports.
Experience working on development projects or donor-funded projects
Experience supporting audits, financial reporting, or procurement documentation
Experience and knowledge of accounting or financial management systems.
Experience working with municipalities, public institutions, or community-based projects.
Experience in procurement management

Languages:

Fluency in the English is required;
Fluency in Krio 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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Operations Analyst (Finance and Administration) [Open to Internal & External applicants]