Antecedentes

Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan), one of the strongest typhoons on record in the world, hit the Visayas (Central Philippines) on 08 November 2013 with a force equivalent to that of a Category 5 hurricane. Rainfall rates reached 30 mm per hour, wind speeds registered beyond 315 km/h and massive storm surges reached as high as five to six meters along coastal areas. Over a 16-hour period, the “super typhoon” passed over six provinces in Central Philippines, knocking out power, telecommunications and water facilities. Along the eastern coast of Samar, Eastern Samar and Leyte, extensive damage was caused by powerful storm surges. Entire villages by the sea were swept away, claiming thousands of lives and causing heavy infrastructure damage in highly populated areas. Meanwhile, on the western coast and mainland areas of Samar and Leyte, severe winds flattened vast areas of farmlands planted with coconut and banana trees. Strong winds also caused damage, although to a lesser extent, along the coasts of Cebu, Panay and Coron.

Hardest hit were the islands of Leyte and Samar, particularly Tacloban City where 90 percent of the infrastructure was destroyed. Official government figures indicate that 1.1 million homes were destroyed, 16.1 million people were affected and 4.1 million were displaced. At least 6,300 people were confirmed dead across all areas hit by the typhoon.

On 08 December 2014, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed an Arrangement that formalized their collaboration in providing assistance to the affected population, particularly in the recovery phase. The Arrangement defined the terms of the project “Support to Typhoon Recovery and Resilience in the Visayas: Waste Management, Construction of Community Evacuation Center, Vocational Training and Cash-for-Livelihoods” which is funded by KOICA and implemented by UNDP in the hard-hit municipalities of Basey (Western Samar) and Guiuan (Eastern Samar).

The overall goal of the project is to contribute in enabling the recovery and building the resilience of selected LGUs and communities in the Visayas affected by Typhoon Haiyan, while its objective is to strengthen the post-disaster environmental and economic resilience of its target areas. The project is implemented from December 2014 to June 2017 and is expected to lead to the following outputs: a) improved waste management system; b) increased access to vocational training towards livelihood diversification; and, c) optimized use of typhoon-damaged coconut trees to create cash-for-livelihood opportunities.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, April 2014.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Under the overall guidance of the Team Leader for Resilience and Peace Building, and the direct supervision of the Project Manager and/or Area Manager, the Finance Associate will perform the following functions:

• Manage the accounting and financial system of the KOICA-funded project (Guiuan component) by ensuring that appropriate control and reporting structures are maintained in accordance with  UNDP rules and regulations;
• Act as custodian of Operational fund of the Hub in accordance with UNDP’s policies and procedures;
• Ensure that project cash advances and any other cash arrangement of the project are used for the purpose they have been approved, adequately supported and accurate;
• Maintain up-to-date financial records (e.g. daily expense report and expenditure ledgers);
• Support the Area Manager in budget monitoring of the project vis-à-vis the approved annual work plan;
• Act as focal point for issues relating to finance and coordinate with country office for its resolution;
• Perform other tasks as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Competencias

Corporate Competencies:

• Professionalism;
• Client orientation;
• Integrity;
• Gender and cultural sensitivity;
• Integrity.

Functional /Technical Competencies:

• Ability to plan and organize;
• Capacity for teamwork and independence;
• Ability to prioritize tasks and multi-task;
• Technological awareness.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:          

• A university degree in business administration, Accounting, finance or other relevant field;
• Certified Public Accountant is an advantage.

Experience:       

• At least 4 years of relevant professional experience in Financial Management;
• Experience in managing staff is required;
• Experience in community-based development is an advantage;
• Prior experience in the UN and other international organizations is an advantage, as well as established networks and familiarity with areas affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

Skills:                    

• Attention to detail;
• Analytical skills;
• Ability to liaise effectively with local partners and internal parties;
• Capacity to work independently and as part of a team;
• Ability to deliver under pressure;
• People skills.

Language:

• English and Filipino;
• Knowledge of regional languages in the Visayas an advantage. 

Application procedure

The selected candidate will receive a salary that is commensurate with his/her background and work experience.  Interested applicants are encouraged to apply ONLINE and attach the UN Personal History Form (P.11), available in our website http://www.ph.undp.org/content/philippines/en/home/operations/jobs/   and send to us  on or before 12 February 2016.  Kindly note that only completed P.11 forms will be reviewed.  Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document. UNDP is an equal opportunity employer.  Please note that we will contact only the short-listed candidates.