UNV Administration and Finance Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

This project is funded by the NAMA Facility. The NAMA Facility was jointly established by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) and the UK Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to provide support to developing countries and countries with emerging economies that show leadership in tackling climate change and that want to implement transformational country-led Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs). In 2015, the Danish Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate (EFKM) and the EU Commission joined the NAMA Facility as new Donors.

This NAMA Support Project, “Investing in Grid-Connected Solar PV in The Gambia” (The Project), aims to scale up the generation of grid connected PV based electricity by 10.5 MW. To achieve this, the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) will enter into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with a selected Independent Power Producer (IPP). Once the PPA is signed by NAWEC and the selected IPP, two solar plants will be constructed by the IPP in Basse and Farafenni. By the end of the 5-year project period, the plants should be fully constructed and functional. The Project will provide a partial guarantee against PPA Default to the selected IPP to mitigate the financial risk. It shall provide full liquidity support for the Guaranteed Party in the first instance against late or defaulted PPA payments under the PPA for the full duration of defaulted payments. The Project aims to increase the share of renewables in the national energy mix and reduce the cost of energy in rural Gambia by lessening the dependence of NAWEC on diesel and imported fossil fuels to generate electricity.

The project is being jointly implemented by two NAMA Support Organizations (NSOs) and NAWEC. The two NSOs are UNDP and UNCDF. UNDP will be responsible for overall coordination of the project whilst UNCDF will be managing the guarantee component of the project.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of NAMA Project Manager or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Admin and Finance will:

Accounting and finance

• Assist to establish, maintain, and coordinate the implementation of accounting and accounting control procedures including making requisitions in Atlas / Quantum and keep records of Purchase Orders (POs) and vouchers • Resolve accounting discrepancies and participate in the development of annual work plans and budgets
• Assist in keeping all financial records of the NAMA project up to date and in accordance with the accounting policies and procedures of UNDP
• Assist the PMU with the preparation of the quarterly variance analysis report using the Atlas/ Quantum platform • Prepare payment vouchers and cheques and maintain the office Petty cash impress up to date • Support the Project Manager during internal and external audits to ensure compliance and transparency

Admin

• Support to develop and update administrative processes to make them more efficient including the preparation and organization of meetings, workshops, seminars, outreach activities, resource mobilisation, minutes and report writing etc. • Supports the Project Manager, other PMU staff and the Environment Programme Unit and other project staff in a variety of tasks relating to organization and communication, including administrative and secretarial support, daily correspondences, maintenance of filing system, printing, and photocopying, updating official travels and leave plans, visitors’ list and event list • Prepare and upload procurement requests on PROMT platform in consultation with the Project Manager and Environment Programme Unit. • Help maintain supplies/inventory by regularly checking stocks to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies in collaboration with the procurement unit and verifying delivery receipts. • Perform any other relevant duties assigned to him/her by the NAMA Project Manager. Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDP mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

3 months

The Gambia is classified as a family duty station and is a generally safe country to live in. This position would require residence in the Greater Banjul Area, which boasts of relatively easy access to services, utilities, and facilities, including communication, housing, and transportation services.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.