UNDP Jobs - 46534- Finance Assistant, Nagaland GEF Project

Finance Assistant, Nagaland GEF Project - (Open to Indian Nationals only)

Location :

Kohima, Nagaland, INDIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

29-May-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year (Extendable)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Shifting cultivation or Jhum practiced in Nagaland is one of the key direct drivers of degradation of the forest ecosystem. It is often the most suitable form of agriculture for the agro climatic conditions of the region supporting rich crop genetic diversity. However, in recent years, a shortened jhum cycle is observed rendering declined crop yields. Families that were once secure for food are now unable to meet their requirements. The project has introduced participatory planning processes in land management and prioritized activities identified through the involvement of the entire community in the development of community resource management plans. The overall goal is to maintain ecosystem services and meeting livelihood needs.

The project started implementation in 2009 and is likely to end in 2015.

The incumbent will provide assistance to the Project Director and Project Coordinator in the implementation of day-to-day project activities. He/she is responsible for all accounting (disbursements, record-keeping, cash management) matters under the project. S/he will be based in Kohima, Nagaland and report to the National Project Director/Director, Soil and Water Department, Government of Nagaland and Head, Energy and Environment Unit, UNDP, New Delhi. The incumbent will work as per the duties and responsibilities listed below.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Finance Assistant will be responsible for:

Financial Management:

Maintain financial records and monitor systems to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, payments, statements and other data for day-to day transactions and reports;
Ensure strategic resource management, including planning and tracking of available resources and monitoring of expenditure as per approved project work plan and budget;
Maintain the project’s expenditure ledgers and journals;
Organize and coordinate the procurement of services and goods under the project;
Collate and process financial reports into project wise quarterly financial reports against project advances;
Perform financial duties as requested by the Project Director and Project Coordinator;

Others:

Provide logistical and administrative support to the Project Director, Coordinator and project consultants in conducting different project activities (trainings, workshops, stakeholder consultations, arrangements of study tour, etc.);
Maintain a roster of files on project activities, project reports, vehicle log book, project assets, etc.;
Control the usage of non-expendable equipment (record keeping, drawing up regular inventories);
Keep regular contact with project experts and consultants to inform them about the project details and changes;
Act on telephone inquiries, fax, post and e-mail transmissions, and co-ordinate appointments;
Manage support costs and office expenditure;
Perform any other tasks assigned from time to time by the Project Director, Nagaland and Head, Energy and Environment Unit, UNDP, New Delhi.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:-

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Maintain effective relationships with project stakeholders;
Work goal-oriented based on minimum supervision;
Organise and prioritise work to meet client needs and deadlines;
Prepare timely inputs;
Report to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion;
Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients;
Responds to client needs promptly;
Ability to work and coordinate with large and complex teams;
Excellent communications, organizational & interpersonal skills;
High-level of IT/computing skills (minimum: Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint);
User skills in ERP based financial management;
Good drafting and writing skills in English;
Ability to work independently to fulfill assigned tasks.

Core Competencies:

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

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University Bachelors level Degree.

Experience:

5 years professional experience in finance and/or administration;
Additional experience in maintaining accounts, handling audits, HR management and the procurement of goods & services is desirable.

Language:

Fluency in written and spoken English;
Knowledge of other languages (especially Nagamese) also helpful.

Remuneration package is INR 55,975/- per month (taxable).