Admin and Finance Coordinator

Organizational Setting

The project “Responding to the Economic Crisis: Protecting smallholder farmer livelihoods with safe and efficient use of fertilizer and quality seed for better productivity in paddy farming” GCP/SRL/080/EC aims to enhance income and strengthen livelihoods of Sri Lankan smallholder farmers. In addition, to ensure food and nutrition security through increased productivity and production of paddy by applying appropriate fertilizer and seed technology. The project promotes transition of Sri Lankan agriculture towards more sustainable farming inputs including integrating use of organic fertilizer through IPNM.

The specific objectives are:

1. Ensuring food and nutrition security of targeted smallholder farmers through productivity and production increase Providing smallholder farmers having land holdings up of 0 to ½ ha with 50 kg bag of urea to enable them to cultivate successfully over the 2022/23 Maha and 2023 Yala cropping season. Starved of chemical fertilizers these farmers have suffered immensely due to a major crop failure over the previous two cropping seasons, affecting their ability to provide for their essential needs, including food. It is expected that Integrated Plant Nutrient Management (IPNM) training to these farmers will help them spread the use of urea supplied to them over two consecutive seasons.

2. Enhancing fertilizer use efficiency in paddy cultivation through capacity building, knowledge transfer and training on IPNM strategy. Training and educating the extension workers and farmers in the use of IPNM strategy along with the supply of fertilizers to farmers. IPNM is the sustenance or adjustment of soil fertility level while achieving the optimum productivity of crops with all possible sources of plant nutrients in an integrated manner.

3. Increasing capacity of Sri Lankan farmers to grow quality paddy seeds for meeting the country’s requirement and strengthening government owned farms in growing and processing certified paddy seeds. Enabling increased production of seed paddy from 1200 ha of new seed paddy farms to increase current formal seed supply from 19,200 tons to 24,000 tons (16 percent to 20 percent) per year through supply of urea and other inputs on priority to those taking to paddy seed cultivation. Further, the capacity of four government seed farms on seed processing and drying will be upgraded to absorb the seed processing needs of these new seed farmers. This would encourage public private partnership with medium to large farmers to adopt commercial seed paddy production.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of Assistant FAO Representative (AFAOR) Programme, the incumbent will directly work with the National Project Manager and in close liaison with FAO Representation, contributing to the day-to-day administration of the Project Management Unit and finance related functions to run the project smoothly.

Technical Focus

He/ She is responsible for the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to administrative, procurement, budgetary and operations activities, consistent with applicable FAO rules and procedures. In particular, the incumbent will, in streamlining administrative and financial systems and relevant procedures in accordance with existing guidelines of FAO and UN.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Act as financial focal point ensuring the application of the dedicated resources to the results-based delivery of the expected outputs of the project; • Act as the focal point for all administrative functions and operations ensuring the day-to-day implementation of the project • Establish administrative systems and procedures according to existing guidelines of FAO and UN for project staff, consultants and subcontractors and consistent with the government’s guidelines; • Develop and implement a proper archiving system for all programme, administration and finance related files, reports and correspondence for easy access and future reference; • Establish financial systems and procedures in line with UN’s existing guidelines for project staff, consultants and subcontractors and in consistent with the government’s guidelines; • Assist the Project Manager in ensuring efficient procurement management; • Co-ordinate the preparation of project procurement plans in close interaction with technical staff, ensuring that cost estimates of agricultural inputs and services are realistic; • Maintain an updated inventory of all supplies and equipment and prepare guidelines for the proper use and maintenance of office equipment and properties; • Facilitate travel and transportation requirements of the project staff and other stakeholders involved in the project; • Assist with recruitment of project staff, and procurement of goods and services and ensure applicable rules and regulations are followed; • Prepare and process administrative reports required by the Project management; • Attend timely budget reprogramming and assist in the budget revisions of project to be presented to donors if required; • Prepare vouchers for payments, maintain and monitor records of all disbursements of the project and validate disbursements; • Participate during audit as required by the project; • Prepare updated reports on disbursement, and advise the Project Team on the overall financial status of the project; • Liaise with FAO HQ, departments and decentralized offices, as necessary, on issues related to implementation of operations; • Prepare and process financial reports required by the Project management

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• A university degree in accountancy and financial management / Bachelor of Business Administration and /or other professional qualifications such CIMA, AAT, ACCA, CMA, Chartered Accountancy, etc in the above areas. • A minimum of 5 years’ experience in project management, administration, financial and office management; knowledge of UN administration procedures is an advantage; excellent computer skills, including proficiency in the use of basic office software packages, electronic email and experience in handling web-based communications and management systems. • Working knowledge (level C) of English language, spoken and written in addition to Sinhala and /or Tamil • A Sri Lankan national.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Ability to effectively use standard office software, such as MS Office (Windows, Word, Outlook, Excel, Exchange, Oracle, GRMS, or any related software) etc. • Good knowledge of financial and administration rules and regulations, accounting policies and practices • Good knowledge of corporate financial systems, procurement procedures • Good knowledge of the communication and documentation standards • Experience in handling of web-based management systems. • Good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.