Background

The Republic of Maldives is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its low-lying geography that makes it susceptible to flooding and inundation, and its dependence on economic activities that are sensitive to climate change, such as fishing and tourism. It is also highly dependent on imported fossil fuels for its energy supply and this represents a major source of greenhouse gas emissions for the country. Consequently, the Maldives has made significant commitments to the pursuit of a low emission climate resilient development agenda. However, ongoing decentralization reforms, fiscal crisis and low capacity at the sub-national level, mean that local planning is not reflective of national level commitments.

The 3 year, US$9.2 million UN Joint Programme, “LECReD”, responds to the United Nations Development Assistance Framework Outcome 9: “Enhanced capacities at national and local levels to support low carbon life-styles, climate change adaptation, and disaster risk reduction” and builds on the comparative strengths of United Nations Organizations including UNDP, UNICEF, UNOPS, UNFPA, UN WOMEN, WHO and FAO. The programme is innovative and represents a pioneering initiative of bringing together the wealth of diverse development-oriented expertise from these United Nations Organizations with equally diverse national and local partners to address this multi-faceted development challenge.

The programme will assist the Laamu Atoll and its islands to realize low emission and climate resilient development (LECReD). The programme seeks to mainstream LECReD issues into local level development planning and service delivery for greater community-level ownership and sustainability of programme benefits. Towards this objective, the programme will support local councils, civil society, private sector and other local stakeholders to establish platforms for stronger partnerships, improved coordination, and enhanced participation in local planning for LECReD; it will strengthen data and knowledge systems for LECReD; improve local level LECReD development planning and management of service delivery; and through a learning-by-doing approach establish early lessons and build demand for LECReD planning and management for replication and scaling-up.

The aim is that the local development plans will evolve from stand-alone action plans into more strategic and evidence-based instruments, which are climate smart and able to mobilize public and private investment. This programme will be closely linked to the existing national development planning cycle and will build capacity of local and national partners engaged in these local processes. The rationale being that lessons learned will be used to inform replication throughout the country and directly support the national agenda.

In pursuit of the core objective, the programme will achieve the following outputs:

Output 1: Partnership, coordination and participation platform for local LECReD planning and action is strengthened.

Output 2: Data and knowledge systems established or identified to support evidence-based planning and policy development for LECReD at the local level.

Output 3: Improved Local Level Planning and Management for LECReD.

Output 4: Practical local experience in LECReDs interventions leads to learning and promotes replication.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Functions

• Provide logistic support to PC (Programme Coordinator), CTA (Cheif Technical Advisor)  and consultants for PCU and programme activities;
• Ensures records and controls to ensure accuracy and reliability of the programme’s financial information and monitoring of budgets;
• Organise control of budget expenditures by collating or preparing payment documents and compiling financial reports;
• Maintain the programme’s disbursement ledger and journal and maintain programme documentation management and record system and archives
• Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results
  

Provide logistic support to PC, CTA and consultants for PCU and programme activities

• Full compliance with UN/UNDP rules and regulations and other relevant policies on financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations; implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system;
• Provision of inputs for implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies in consultation with the PCU
• Organization of travel including purchase of tickets, DSA calculation,; arrangement of shipments; conference facilities arrangements;
• Manage logistic arrangements for workshop, etc.

Ensures records and controls to ensure accuracy and reliability of the programme’s financial information and monitoring of budgets:

• Presentation of information for formulation of LECRED work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements and execution modalities. Entry of data into Atlas in the form of Annual Work Plans (AWPs), and monitoring of their status;
• Provision of guidance to the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects, tracking use of financial resources.

Organise control of budget expenditures by collating or preparing payment documents and compiling financial reports:

• Proper control of the supporting documents for payments and financial reports for the LECRED projects;
• Accuracy verification of Combined Delivery Reports;
• Provision of information for the audit of LECRED, implementation of audit recommendations;
• Implementation of the control mechanism for development projects through monitoring of budgets preparation and modifications.

Maintain the programme’s disbursement ledger and journal and maintain programme documentation management and record system and archives

• Preparation of procurement plans for the LECRED Programme and its implementation monitoring;
• Establish a filing system for the LECRED Programme and ensure timely filing of documents;
• Record and reporting on Programme assets in a timely manner;
• Timely corrective actions on erroneous data in Atlas;
• Preparation of financial reports as required.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Systematic gaining and sharing of knowledge and experience related to programme management, including lessons learnt;
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
• Provide updated list on quartely basis to the PCU.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:       

Building Strategic Partnerships -Maintaining information and databases

• Analyzes general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing - Basic research and analysis

• Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise - Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures

• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position;
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Promoting Organizational Change and Development - Presentation of information on best practices in organizational change

• Demonstrates ability to identify problems and proposes solutions.
  

Design and Implementation of Management Systems - Data gathering and implementation of management systems

• Uses information/databases/other management systems.
  

Client Orientation -  Maintains effective client relationships

• Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
• Responds to client needs promptly.

Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management - Gathering and disseminating information

• Gathers and disseminates information on best practice in accountability and results-based management systems.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity; 
  
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Informed and transparent decision making.

Required Skills and Experience

• Advance level (Secondary Education) or Diploma in Business Administration, Management or Finance with 4-5 years of relevant experience in administration or programme support; or
• University Degree or Diploma in Finance, Management, Business or Public Administration with 1-2 year of relevant experience in administration or programme support.

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.). Experience in handling of web-based management systems;
• Experience in financial and logistic support is essential.