Finance/Admin Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO is a partner agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), to address the world’s most challenging environmental issues related to biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, chemicals, and international waters. GEF provides grants to countries to meet these challenges whilst contributing to key development goals, such as food security.

In this context, FAO India is currently initiating the implementation of the “Promotion of Sustainable Food Systems in India through Transforming Rice-Wheat Systems in Punjab, Haryana, Odisha and Chhattisgarh” Project under the GEF -7 cycle. This five-year project will focus on four states (Punjab, Haryana, Chhattisgarh and Odisha). The project will: 1) result in major global environmental benefits in terms of reduced land degradation, biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emissions; 2) provide the country with win-win benefits in terms of improvements in the environmental sustainability of food systems and the income and resilience of farmers, and; 3) generate additional benefits for other food system stakeholders such as improved access to safe and healthy food and to employment opportunities.

Reporting Lines

Under the supervision of the FAO Representative in India (FAOR), and direct supervision of Project Coordinator, the Finance/Admin Expert will undertake the following duties

Technical Focus

Expertise in Accounting and Finance.

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent will undertake the following duties:

• Financial Management

• Prepare financial reports as per FAO requirements on a quarterly basis

• Ensure that relevant reports on expenditures, forecasts, progress against work plans, project closure, are prepared and submitted in accordance with FAO and GEF defined procedures and reporting formats, schedules and communications channels, as required;

• Maintain accounting and financial controls, including adequate support documentation, filing systems for verification by FAO and external auditors and ensure compliance with all FAO monitoring and financial reporting requirements

• Monitor and guide NPMUs in conducting procurement activities, ensuring procurement processes comply with the OP agreement;

• Support the preparation of the Annual Budgets

• Undertake day-to-day management of the project budget, including the monitoring of cash availability, budget preparation and budget revisions to be reviewed by the Project Coordinator;

• Manage contracts and monitor the work and quality of deliverables of the services provided by the Third Party Service Provider (especially financial Audit, spot-check, monitoring Agent activities etc.);

• Build capacities of State Teams on FAO related forms, formats, processes etc.

• Operations Management

• Support preparation of all documentation needed to hire consultancy services and for the limited acquisition of equipment necessary to provide the services, ensuring procurement processes comply with the OP agreement

• Ensure smooth and timely implementation of project activities in support of the results-based work plan, through operational and administrative procedures as per the OP’s rules and standards;

• Arrange the operations needed for signing and executing contracts related to the procurement of goods and services;

• Execute accurate and timely actions on all operational requirements for personnel-related matters, equipment and material procurement, and field disbursements;

• Participate and represent the project in collaborative meetings with project partners and the Project Steering Committee, as required;

• Maintain and regularly update Asset and inventory records for the Project Office, and undertake periodical Physical Verification and report to relevant stakeholders in line with the OPA.

• Procurement of goods & services in compliance to the established procedures of the OPA.

• Any other work assigned by PD/ AFAOR

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor level qualification in Commerce, Accounting, Finance, Public or Business Administration, or related field.

• 4 years of relevant experience in in an accounting and financial management and operations with responsibilities as described above.

• Working knowledge of English (both written and spoken).

• National of India.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Good financial planning, budgeting and control capacities of complex field programmes.

• In depth knowledge and experience of UN and FAO (GRMS) accounting and auditing systems will be an added advantage.

• Knowledge of and experiences with UN organization and UN rules and regulations are other assets;

• Good communication, reporting and presentation skills in English (both written and spoken).

• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams and handle stress.

• Good computer skills (Word, Excel, Power point, Project planning tools, ORACLE, GRMS etc.).

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.