UNDP Jobs - 96835- Admin and Finance Officer (1 position), Level : SB

Admin and Finance Officer (1 position), Level : SB 4/Peg 2 (Only for Nepalese nationals)

Location :

Kathmandu, NEPAL

Type of Contract :

Other

Starting Date :

15-Mar-2021

Application Deadline :

17-Feb-21 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Other

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year with possibility of extension

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

The High Mountain catchments of Nepal are particularly prone to drought, landslides and floods, due to coincidence of seasonal snow melt with the summer monsoon season. In these highly vulnerable mountain regions warming trends are increasing and the impacts are magnified by the extreme changes in altitude. Around 85% of rainfall occurs during the four monsoon months of June to September and results in extensive flooding annually. Climate change is intensifying the monsoon rainfall and increasing snow and glacial melt rates, which is contributing to increased frequency and severity of flood and landslide disasters which result in extensive economic, life and livelihood losses annually. At the other extreme, water scarcity and droughts also pose a threat to the agriculture-reliant livelihoods of these regions. Climate change is increasing the temporal and spatial variability of rainfall and runoff, thus intensifying the problem of excess water during the monsoon and water scarcity during the dry season, increasing economic damages to agriculture, property, and the environment, disrupting lives and livelihoods and threatening food security.

A long-term solution to this climate change problem is to rehabilitate and maintain functional integrity of watersheds that have critical functions of water storage and release, infiltration, drainage control, and soil moisture retention. Using watersheds as organizing units for planning and implementation of natural resource management and resilient livelihood development is an approach to effectively tackle an immediate and long-term climate risk reduction issues, in relation to floods and droughts. Taking watershed management concerns into consideration the proposed LDCF project on “Developing climate resilient livelihoods in the vulnerable watershed in Nepal” will embed Integrated Watershed Management approaches in Nepal through policy and practice at the national and sub-national levels. It will do so through establishing the legislative and institutional framework for integrated watershed management to address climate change induced hazards and introducing and scaling up integrated adaptive watershed management practices covering 844km2 of watershed areas and benefiting 121,606 vulnerable people. While the project interventions in the legislative and institutional frameworks will be at national and sub-national level, project investment in adaptive management practices will be done within sub-watersheds of the Dudh Koshi river basin which is the most vulnerable to floods and droughts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the National Project Manager, and direction of NPD the Admin and Finance Officer will be responsible for providing overall financial and day to day administrative support for smooth and effective implementation of the programme activities of Developing Climate Resilient Livelihoods in Vulnerable Watershed in Nepal project.

Overall Roles and responsibilities:

Oversee the efficient and effective operation of financial management and administration of the DCRL project;
Ensure proper planning, internal control system and safeguard measures for efficient and effective use of use of financial and other resources of the programme;
Take active role on preparation of programs and budgets, and lead on periodic expenditure reporting, project auditing, donor reporting and other financial reports;
Provide logistic support to conduct the training, workshops and seminars;
Maintain complete sets of books of accounts and financial records in daily basis following standard accounting principles and National Implementation Guidelines;
Maintain accurate and up-to-date personnel records of the project personnel as required;
Draw up specifications for the equipment required for procurement in close work with programme team and UNDP PISU as per guidelines; maintain and update an inventory and ensure proper operation, maintenance and appropriate distribution of such equipment;
Ensure proper compliance with relevant policies and value for money of all expenditure before making payments;
Supervise Admin Finance Assistant (Field) to prepare vouchers and process payments for all the financial transaction and process payment request to UNDP country office;
Prepare various contractual documents related to procurement of goods and services ensuring adequate protection of the interest of the programme and follow-up on the status of the contract;
Supervise and provide support to all administrative and finance support personnel and their works (procurement, filing, record keeping of personnel management) of PMU and PIU (Field);
Oversee the financial and administrative management of district programmes and implementing partners, including internal audit (if needed);
Keep records on non-expendable equipment (NEE), conduct physical verification at least once a year and prepare annual physical verification report of NEE to be submitted to UNDP CO;
Oversee the contracts with implementing partners including governmental, non-governmental, and community-based organizations as well as with service providers for the programme (individuals and companies);
Backstop, monitor and provide training to the field-based programme and finance/administrative staff as well as implementation partners in the areas of financial and administrative arrangements, monitoring and reporting;
Maintain up-to-date personnel files, employment contracts systematically and periodically report to the National Programme Manager on the necessary follow-up actions;
Support in preparing for the annual audit exercise and spot checks and ensuring continue follow ups on the implementation of audit findings;
Ensure availability, efficient deployment and regular maintenance of programme equipment, including vehicle (s), computers, and other equipment for operational purposes;
Keep abreast of the financial regulations of the Government and ensure compliance of all the provisions of NIM Guidelines of UNDP regarding personnel management, procurement, contracting and financial management;
Ensure that vehicle logbooks are systematically maintained by the driver, vehicles are in proper condition and office supplies are well stocked and properly accounted for;
Conduct analysis of programme budget allocation and expenditure from a gender and social inclusion perspective under the guidance of the project manager and Gender and Social Inclusion Advisor;
Ensure GESI budgeting is done in the annual work plan;
Conduct frequent field visits for monitoring and supervision;
Perform other administrative and financial duties related to the programme as assigned by National Project Director and National Project Manager.

Impact of Results:
Smooth administration and financial planning and management of the project; proper documentation of all payments related to programme expenses; value for money ensured; proper maintenance of financial records, personnel, procurement and inventory.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the Government of Nepal and UN’s values and ethical standards;
Serves and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Good inter-personal skills;
Clear and upfront communication skills;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
Organized and good with following-up on pending issues; meets deadlines;
Promote learning and knowledge management/sharing;
Focuses on delivering results by taking calculated-risks and problem-solving approach;
Fair and transparent decision making; regularly shares information with team members;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development.

Functional Competencies:

Demonstrate ability to identify and anticipate bottlenecks, as well as seek guidance;
Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy, confidentiality concerning financial and employee files;
Ability to organize and complete assignments within deadlines;
Integrity and impartiality, ability to work with external partners e.g. supplier, vendors, service providers;
Ability to convey difficult issues and positions to senior officials proactively seek guidance and make clear recommendations to line managers;
Dynamic and results-oriented;
Strong verbal and written skills; ability to draft short memos and conduct presentations;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities; can multi-task;
Willing to work long hours;
Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;
Solicits feedback from staff about the impact of his/her own behaviour highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's Degree in management, commerce and accounts

Experience:

At least five years of hands-on experience in finance and administration in Development Partners’ funded Programme/projects or other related organizations;
Should possess a good financial, accounting and reporting skills as well as exposure in administration of Programmes;
Must have excellent skills in computer (Windows, Word, Excel, and Power Point); should able to operate financial packages independently;
Demonstrated track record of delivering high quality reports on time;
Experience of working in a national government-managed programme would be an advantage.

Language Requirements:

Good knowledge of English, fluency in the language of the duty station.

Other:

Proficiency in the use of computer software applications particularly MS Excel;
Actively generates creative, practical approaches and solutions to overcome challenging situation.