National Project Personnel - Finance - SC 5

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO’s Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, for Better production, Better nutrition, a Better environment and a Better life, leaving no one behind. In line with FAO global strategy, FAO country offices assists governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to address hunger and malnutrition and provides technical support for the sustainable development of their agricultural, livestock, fishery and forestry sectors. The activities carried out by the FAO Country Offices include the design and implementation of country tailored field programmes, liaison with local and international partners, and active public awareness-raising as well as other outreach activities related to FAO initiatives.

The tasks envisaged for this assignment are to be carried out through the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), which is currently implementing a number of projects in various countries in Asia. Within the ECTAD framework, the Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) is closely working with the Office of Emergency and Resilience (OER) to support various aspects of the animal health programme of FAO Bangladesh, including the Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPT-2) and Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) Programmes.

Reporting Lines

Under the general supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Bangladesh, the technical guidance of the ECTAD Bangladesh Country Team Leader, and direct supervision of the International Operations Officer and in close collaboration with FAO Bangladesh’s administration personnel, the Finance Associate will be responsible for providing day to day financial and operational assistance to support efficient implementation and timely delivery of the ECTAD Bangladesh programme in accordance with FAO rules and regulations.

Technical Focus

Provide overall financial support and assist to operate the finance unit of the Project through financial budgeting and reporting, monitoring current country cash, payroll management and financial transaction analysis, documentation, and reconciliation.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist in programme administration and responsible for up-to-date maintenance and accurate financial records of all disbursements and receipts under the ECTAD Programme
• Process programme payments and follow up on invoices ensuring that the budget limits, threshold and the rules and regulations are respected
• Reconcile expenditures, balances, payments statements and other day to day transactions including any discrepancies or errors identified by conversing with team members and/or vendors/ service providers
• Assist the procurement process by preparing and submitting PRs, checking the status of existing PRs against issued POs
• Review, prepare and process DVs
• Monitor the project reports (Project status report, financial statement, and Transaction listing) and maintain continuing awareness of accounts balances of the projects under the ECTAD Programme; ensure all calculations and data entries are correct and process corrective actions in the system
• Reconcile programme cash advances, OPC, Petty Cash through FAO Account and keep outstanding cash advance record and follow up with the team to settle. Review of the cash advance requests, receive, send and obtain all kind of documents/ for budget holder approval/ from project office to country office and country office to project office.
• Prepare detailed cost estimates and participate in budget analysis and annual projections as required; perform routine calculations to produce analyses and reports as requested by the Programme
• Prepare accurate and reliable financial accounts and communication to all relevant parties, including the management and reporting of budgets, LOA and payment status against FAO commitments
• Assist in preparing timely updates of HR records of ECTAD Programme and in submission of timecards in GRMS
• Review and check Local Travel claim following FAO procedures and submit for Budget holder approval

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University Degree in Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a relevant field preferred
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in general project/office operational activities, and operational management
• Only for Bangladesh Nationals

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of experience at national and international level.
• Ability to write briefs and reports
• Ability to work under pressure and meat deadlines
• Previous work experience with UN agencies is preferred
• Strong skills in word processing and spreadsheet software computer are required
• Ability to work efficiently with minimal direct supervision
• Good Communication skills to maintain working relationships with people from different nationality and cultural background
• Proficiency in written and spoken English is required, fluent in Bengali is required

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/