Finance Specialist – SB-4

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. The main aim of the FAO Representation in Cambodia is to assist government to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. The Public-Social-Private Partnerships for Ecologically-Sound Agriculture and Resilient Livelihood (PEARL) project," in Northern Tonle Sap Basin (NTSB) aims to enhance the climate change resilience of smallholder farmers and local communities in the NTSB by increasing their access to growing premium market segments while using their improved market access to incentivize their transition to climate-resilient practices, mainly through effective public-social-private partnerships.

Reporting Lines

The Finance Specialist reports directly to the Assistant FAOR (Administration) through the Senior Project Officer, and the technical oversight of lead technical officer in the FAO regional office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP). Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Cambodia, and in close collaboration with international consultants and national specialists, governmental counterparts, and other technical specialists, the incumbent will perform the tasks listed below.

Technical Focus

Coordinate financial management, accounting, internal review of financial documents and provide support to the “Public-Social-Private Partnerships for Ecologically-Sound Agriculture and Resilient Livelihood (PEARL) project”, implanted by FAO Cambodia.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Finance Specialist will work for the PEARL project and assists with preparation of financial documents, review, synthesize and provide financial management services, including production of quality reports for internal/external use. Moreover, the incumbent will be expected to contribute the country office’s projects and initiatives:

• Maintain Imprest accounts, reconcile expenditures, balances, payments, statements and other data for day-to-day transactions and reports; • Maintain financial records and monitoring systems for the office; • Assist with monitoring of country office and regular program budget by providing reports on the budgetary performance of office accounts; • Manage Office petty cash; • Process account receivable and bank reconciliation function; • Process the replenishment of Imprest Account; • Maintain and prepare monthly Imprest Account; • Maintain liaison with local banks and financial institutions to keep up-to-date with financial and regulatory information (exchange and interest rates, procedures and rules, maintenance of bank accounts, etc.); • Review payments to vendors for goods and services including calculating, inputting and checking payments for the correctness and communicating discrepancies to supervisors; verify accuracy of data; • Brief and assist newly arrived staff, experts and consultants on basic financial procedures and requirements with respect to payments, entitlements, banking and currency provisions and other requirements relating to accounts and finance; • Prepare correspondence of administrative and financial nature, draft correspondence to verify data, answer queries and obtain additional information on transactions and financial matters as required; • Generate expenditure reports from computerized information system databases, ie iMIS; • Support in the preparation/finalization of budget performance reports, carrying out a preliminary analysis of variances between budgets and actual expenditures; • Use initiative and judgment in the disposition of queries by applying good knowledge of established procedures and available information, liaising on technical matters with subject matter officers, provide guidance to other general services staff dealing with finance; • Maintain close liaison with personnel with regard to issues related to finance and administrative matter • Review with the supervisor problems and discrepancies related to assigned actions; • Support the streamlining of procedures and practices and the introduction of new information technologies to the office; • Provide capacity development support to the co-EEs to establish the necessary quality control mechanisms that match FAO/GCF quality control standards for operational issues; • Support requirements during audit exercises and implement improvement opportunities; • Any other duty assigned by the supervisor.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced degree in public or business administration, finance, accounting, economics, social sciences or other relevant fields • At least five years of relevant experience in financial management/operations and support • Working knowledge of English and Khmer • A National of Cambodia

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in supporting, advising and guiding the implementation of multi-stakeholder project in the context of his/her area of expertise; • Ability to develop plans for the implementation and coordination of project financial management/accounting /auditing in partnership with UN agencies, international entities, NGOs and other relevant actors; • Extent and relevant of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation in the context of financial management; • Understanding FAO/UN policies and programmes is considered a strong asset; • Familiarity with UN administrative, procurement and financial procedure is an asset. • Proficiency in relevant computer applications such as word processing tools, spreadsheets and desktop publishing software (MS Office Word, Excel 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.