Back Project Finance  Assistant

Funded by Green Climate Fund (GCF), the “National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Support Project for adaptation planning and implementation in Azerbaijan” will be launched and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in cooperation with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The project will support the Government of Azerbaijan to facilitate the development of the NAP and improve climate change adaptation actions in Azerbaijan in three priority sectors identified by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources through stakeholder consultations: water, agriculture and coastal areas. The NAP Project’s objective is to increase capacity on climate resilience and adaptation in those three sectors through the implementation of actions and activities that will reduce or eliminate barriers for an effective adaptation process at both the national and local levels

The current project builds on existing knowledge from previous and ongoing projects, the information generated under the National Communications to the UNFCCC, on the preliminary and the expected results of the first GCF Readiness and Preparatory Support project and complements the second GCF readiness project implemented currently by FAO, and also by taking into account gender and minority considerations.

The GoA recognizes that there are gaps in the existing baseline of adaptation planning that need to be addressed. Based on the 2017 stocktaking and fact-finding exercise, the current status of CCA in Azerbaijan was assessed and barriers and needs were identified under three main intervention areas: i) Improved data and information access and sharing by stakeholders; ii) Existing institutional and technical capacity gaps and needs for CCA at the managerial, individual and community levels; and iii) Mainstreaming of CCA into national, regional, local and sectoral planning.

This NAP effort will build on existing investments and policies to directly address gaps in the baseline of these three intervention areas.

The Project Finance Assistant will work in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations, Communications and other project teams in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex programme /project-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of UNDP Project Manager, the Project Finance Assistant will perform the following key functions:

• Keep records of project funds and expenditures, and ensure all project-related financial documentation are well maintained and readily available when required by the Project Manager;
• Review project expenditures and ensure that project funds are used in compliance with the Project Document and GoI financial rules and procedures;
• Provide necessary financial information as and when required for project management decisions;
• Provide necessary financial information during project audit(s);
• Review annual budgets and project expenditure reports, and notify the Project Manager if there are any discrepancies or issues;
• Consolidate financial progress reports submitted by the responsible parties for implementation of project activities;
• Liaise and follow up with the responsible parties for implementation of project activities in matters related to project funds and financial progress reports.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Innovation: Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks)

Leadership: Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks)

People Management: Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks) 

Communication: Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks) 

Delivery: Ability to get things done

Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks)

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

 Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Sensitivity and adaptability

•  Displays cultural, gender, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Self-Management

• Focus on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Working in teams

• Accepts team role, contributes to the work of the team actively and constructively
• Works collaboratively with team members, sharing information openly and displaying cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Proactively pursues solutions to team problems and asks for help when needed
• Works collaboratively with colleagues inside UN/UNDP as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals
• Takes action to resolve sources of tension or obstacles that may prevent a team from achieving its goals
• Integrate the ideas of team members from other disciplines/perspectives into his/her thinking by leveraging the different experiences and expertise
• Takes initiative and seeks opportunities to initiate action

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
•  Analyzes the requirements and synthesizes proposals
• 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
• Ability to strategically link communication with partnership goals and resource mobilization objectives

Client orientation

•  Anticipates client needs;
• Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
• Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective

Min. Academic Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in economy, finance, management or other social sciences; 

Experience:

• At least 3 years of finance experience, preferably in the development projects  at the national and/or international level
• Experience in national and international projects would be an asset;
• Experience working with the UN or another international organization would be an asset

Languages:

• Fluency  in  written and spoken English and Azerbaijani is required. 

Contract Duration: 1 (one) year service contract with the possibility for extension subject to satisfactory performance