UNDP Jobs - 49625- Finance cum Administrative Assistant GoI-GEF-UNDP

Finance cum Administrative Assistant GoI-GEF-UNDP India High Range Landscape Project (HRML) - (Open to Indian Nationals only)

Location :

Munnar or Kottayam, Kerala, INDIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

24-Sep-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-2

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year (Renewable)

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

High Range Mountain Landscape (HRML) in the Western Ghats mountains of peninsular India is a globally significant biodiversity region. Its key attributes are: a) high levels of endemism and biological diversity; b) Important Bird Area; c) presence of globally threatened species of fauna and flora; d) part of one of the five viable breeding centre of tiger in India; e) harbour the largest global population of Nilgiri tahr and a significant population of Grizzled Giant Squirrel (both threatened species); f) catchment of three major river systems of peninsular India; g) strong eco-cultural affinities; and h) support important economic sectors like cardamom, tea and tourism. At present, HRML is a complex mosaic of land uses where conservation, economic production and livelihood requirements assume equal primacy and profoundly influence each other. These contribute to competitive use of natural resources and affecting vital ecological processes. The rapidly altering developmental context, demographic contours, resource use configurations place a challenge for HRML’s long term ecological sustainability and livelihood security. The existing planning and policy framework, as well as the institutional arrangements in HRML are inadequate to address biodiversity conservation from a landscape perspective. The project aims to put in place a collaborative governance framework for multiple-use management of HRML. The project will attempt a paradigm shift from current sector based planning to an approach for integrated multiple-use management of mountain landscapes to deliver global environmental benefits. The project aims to achieve this through the following Outcomes: a) Effective governance framework for multiple-use mountain landscape management in place; b) Multiple-use mountain landscape management is applied securing the ecological integrity of HRML; and c) Strengthened capacities for community based sustainable use and management of wild resources.

The project region covers 3,000 sq. km spread across three districts of Kerala viz. Idukki, Ernakulam and Thrissur in Kerala.

UNDP aims to engage Finance cum Administrative Assistant for the implementation of the HRML Project. S/he will work closely with the State Project Manager and the State Project Coordinator. For operational purposes, the Finance cum Administrative Assistant will also consult the Programme Analyst, Energy and Environment Unit, UNDP, New Delhi and the Administrative and Finance Associate in National Project Management Unit (NPMU) in New Delhi. The Finance cum Administrative Assistant shall extend all possible support to the State Project Manager and Landscape Level Project Management Unit (LLPMU).

Duties and Responsibilities

The Finance cum Administrative Assistant will be responsible for the following tasks:

Executing work related to financial management and providing administrative support to the LLPMU;
Maintain financial records and monitor systems to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, payments, statements and other data for day-to day transactions and reports;
Prepare monthly and quarterly expenditure statement and other financial reports;
Assist in preparation of legal documents for contracting and procurement of goods and services, including maintenance and physical verification of assets;
Regularly monitor and provide updates to the supervisor on utilization of funds under various activities as per the Critical Results Compact prepared along with the Annual Work Plan of the year;
Maintain office archives and other documentation, including proper maintenance and update of leave records, stationery stock etc.;
Assist State Project Coordinator and State Project Manager in all financial reporting functions to the State Project Steering Committee (SPSC) and Landscape Level Project Management Unit (LLPMU);
Coordinate with bank, other vendors and other government departments/ institutions on financial information;
Maintain a roster of files on project activities, project reports, vehicle log book, project assets, etc.;
Ensure timely payments of vendors, travel and other claims for the LLPMU;
Assisting the State Project Manager and the LLPMU in the budget component of the annual work plan for the following year, as well as quarterly plans;
Assist in organizing and coordinating meetings, trainings, workshops and make travel arrangements as needed;
Keep regular contact with project experts and consultants to inform them about the project details and changes;
Assist in preparing presentations and reports;
Performed other duties as and when assigned by the Supervisor.

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;
Integrity and Confidentiality.

Functional Competencies:

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;
Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Data gathering and implementation of management systems:

Uses information/databases/other management systems;
Provides inputs to the development of simple system components;
Makes recommendations related to work procedures and implementation of management systems.

Skills:

Good computer skills;
Working knowledge of the Tally and other relevant software is essential;
Familiarity with MS office suite especially MS Excel 2010, 2013 and other spread sheet related packages.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelors in Commerce, Economics or related field.

Experience:

At least 3 year experience in finance related office preferably with externally aided projects;
Outstanding time-management, organizational and inter-personal skills;
Experience in supporting annual financial audits and relevant finance related issues.

Language:

Good English writing skills;
Fluency in English and Malayalam.

Note:

Remuneration package being offered is Rs. 4,86,258/- per annum (all inclusive and taxable). UNDP also offers additional benefits which include medical insurance coverage and limited pension reimbursement for the service contract holder and encourages work life balance.