Background

The Revenue Department (DM), State Government of Himachal Pradesh responsible to undertake various actions as per the legal-institutional framework of the National Disaster Management Act 2005, has formally requested UNDP support to strengthen SDMA (State Disaster Management Authority) and all 12 DDMAs (District Disaster Management Authorities) out of funds available with it under the 14th Finance Commission Grant by providing demand-based human resource at the state and district levels to facilitate implementation of training & capacity building activities in the State. In this context, UNDP is looking for individuals for the position of Accounts and Finance Specialist to provide support to the Government of HP in the state.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Accounts and Finance Specialist will be based at HPSDMA, Revenue Department (DM), Shimla and under the overall supervision of the Special Secretary (Rev-DM), he/she would carry out the following tasks:

• Prepare Annual Work Plan with budget out of the Finance Commission Grants
• Maintain book of accounts for Finance Commission Grants and other Centrally Sponsored /National Level Projects & Schemes
• Support in implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of DRR activities
• Develop RFP and procure services of agencies/institutions for the implementation of capacity building and related DRR activities
• Develop guidelines and support in the procurement of agencies as per state government procurement procedures for capacity building as well as other DRR related activities
• Monitor allocation of fund to and utilization by various Government and Non-government agencies
• Verify and prepare cash/cheque payment vouchers for the requests received or the expenditure incurred or receipts
• Dispatch funds to the districts/agencies for various approved activities
• Prepare proceedings of meetings/conferences of HPSDMA
• Maintain inventories
• Process reimbursements of expenses met for approved activities
• Assist in office administration and logistics
• Carry out any other work assigned by the Supervisors.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the State
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in the area of disaster management
• Acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
• Strong analytical, assessment and project planning skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to apply conceptual models in training & capacity building for DRR

• Good knowledge of disaster risk reduction
• Strong training skills.

Corporate Competencies:

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Essential: – University Degree in Commerce, Economics, Finance, Business management or related discipline
• Desirable: Good Computer knowledge related to book keeping and accounting such as Tally, SPSS, Excel etc.

Experience:

• Essential: Minimum of 3 years of experience in handling finance and accounts in Central or State Government or Public Sector Undertaking
• Candidates having served in State Accounts Service Cadre will be given preference.

Language:

• Fluency in Hindi & English language is required.

Duration of the Work:

• The contract will be awarded for one year. Working days will be as per the State Government policy.

Official Travel:

All official travel must be authorized and certified in advance. Candidates will be entitled to get TA/DA as per government rules from DDMA and in case of the official journey outside the State, prior approval of the Disaster Management cell shall be required.

Institutional Arrangement:

• Contract will be administered by UNDP on behalf of the State Government of Himachal Pradesh
• All the logistic support related to official travel will be borne by the Government of Himachal Pradesh as per their prevailing rules
• Consultant will be entitled to 2 days leave per month (non-encashable).

Monitoring at State/District/UNDP India level-Proper monitoring of the selected candidates at the State and the district level:

State Government-

• Special Secretary (Rev- DM) will be the nodal officer/reporting authority for the selected candidates and monthly report/quarterly reports of the candidates will be go through Special Secretary (Rev- DM).
• Submission of attendance sheet and activity report (Monthly and quarterly) including of photographs and details of the meeting/training on 25th of every month to State Government/HPSDMA, in order to send the report to UNDP India office timely. Format of the attendance sheet will be provided by the UNDP India.

Extension of services of the Candidates:

• Extension of services of the candidates shall be based on performance review by DDMA and recommendation of the Deputy Commissioner cum Chairman- DDMA.
• Selected candidates will devote his/her time and attention exclusively to the duties entrusted to him/her and will not engage his/herself to work for any other institution or person or association or organization in any capacity if found, will be considered as disqualification.

Documentation required:

• Personal CV, indicating all experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Preliminary shortlisting would be done based on the following criteria:

• Educational Qualification 30% Marks;
• Relevant Experience 50% Marks;
• Suitability for the assignment 20% Marks.

The shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo a written test over email. Only those candidates who score 50% and above in the written test will be eligible to appear for the interview. Interviews will be based around the competencies (skills) required as per the ToR and would be either conducted face to face in Shimla / New Delhi or by telephone / over skype. If face to face interviews are conducted, travel costs will be borne by the shortlisted Consultants. The contract shall be awarded on a merit basis.