Finance Specialist

Organizational Setting

The key mission of the FAO Representation in Somalia, which is led by FAO Representative (FAOR), is to assist and support the national government to develop policies, strategies and programme aimed at accelerating the Implementation and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the area of FAO's global mandate and Strategic Objectives. More specifically, FAO's response aims to address national needs and priorities in achieving food security, reducing hunger and malnutrition, developing agricultural, fishery and forestry sectors, and ensuring the sustainable use of environmental and natural resources and respond to recurrent emergencies. The current portfolio of activities of the FAO Representation in Somalia includes a wide scope of technical support interventions ranging from policy support through livestock and crop production, to natural resource management, Nutrition, value chain, food security analysis and water and land information management. FAO is also implementing several emergency, resilience-building, and development interventions, with the support of its five field offices and close to 400 staff in partnership with the Federal and State line ministries.

Reporting Lines

The position is under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Somalia and the direct supervision of the Administrative Officer.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide administrative, financial, and accounting support activities for the FAO Somalia Office.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide technical advice to the Senior Administration Officer in the areas of administration, finance, and budget control. • Provide guidance, performance evaluation and supervision. • Ensures financial process is adhered to and policy implementation by the top and bottom levels of the organization. • Gives oversight in the maintenance of all financial records and monitoring systems of the office and accounts. • Issue financial and administrative correspondence for the country office; ensure the maintain of a filing administrative and accounting system; and provide Registry with master files containing key documents. • Responsible for the preparation of recurring reports on programme, project, and office accounts; provides support in the preparation of reports for budget planning, audits, and other related requests; and liaises with local banks and financial institutions. • Ensure the completeness and quality of data and documentation, including in the FAO corporate and local systems (GRMS, iMIS, FPMIS, etc.) for all disbursements and hard commitments. • Act as the focal point on all Global Resource Management System (GRMS) queries and staff access and responsibilities allocation. • Prepare analytical reports on programme, project, and office accounts performances, as required; prepare special reports for budget preparation, audits, and other reasons; and liaise with local banks and financial institutions. • Coordinate action concerning the closure of accounts and arrange for timely and adequate reporting, including identification of project financial and operational closure follow- up requirements. • Control all financial records and monitoring systems of the office and monitor all accounts; supervise and/or maintain imprest accounts; ensure that operational expenditures are in accordance with approved budgets and that all committing documents are complete and consistent; and report variations from budgets. • Contract manager for the money vendor contracts to ensure delivery as per terms of contract and organize meetings with them. • Coordinates all admin activities in liaison with senior administration officer. • Ensuring that billings have been done properly and funds received, banked, and credited to the right projects. • Monitor expenditure against assigned project budgets for GOE related payments like operational cash replenishment. • Build Capacity in the FAO offices by visiting the field offices and training them on the proper management of the operational cash. • Set up the new FAOSO SSU Finance Unit, with the objective of having a trained and functional national team by 2024. • Train the FAOSO Assistant FAOR Admin on all matters related to FAO accounting processes and procedures. • Maintain overall control of the FAOSO SSU Finance Unit in Nairobi while it is transitioned to Mogadishu. • Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in finance, accounting, economics, business management, business administration, or a related field is required. • At least 5 years of relevant experience in finance, economics, accounting, or business administration. • Working knowledge (level C) of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian for COF.REG.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Ability to formulate and manage budgets, conduct financial analysis and reporting. • Good knowledge of accounting and finance. • Proficient in the use of standard office applications (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite) and other productivity tools. • Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills and applies them in the work.