Background
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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:
Mangroves are critical for coastal protection as they prevent coastal erosion and help to stabilize coastal land. Mangroves are critical nature-based solution to mitigate the impact of rising sea levels and storms and adapt to climate change. Coastal mangroves can adapt to sea level rise and storms surges by moving inland over time. Suriname is home to 2 percent of the world’s total mangroves. In Suriname, mangrove forests cover 90 percent of the total coastline of 386 kms. The low-lying coastal region is also where majority of the population lives (i.e nearly 90 percent of the country’s population). In short, mangroves play a critical role in physical/geographical and socio-economic aspects of the country.
UNDP has been a key development partner of the Surinamese Government and its people since 1994. UNDP continues to support Suriname through its three broad programmatic areas: Democratic Governance, Social Development, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resource Management. The three programmatic areas are interlinked, integrating nature-based solutions, justice and social services with the engagement of stakeholders that are relevant to all three programmatic areas.
UNDP in partnership with the European Union has been supporting Suriname in preservation and conservation of mangrove forests, especially through the two phases of the Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA+) programmes – phase one: from March 2016 to August 2019 and phase 2: 2020- 2023. In 2024, UNDP and EU launched a new initiative Protection, Restoration, and Sustainable Use of Mangrove Forest (PRSUMF) project (2024 to 2027).
The PRSUMF project builds on the results achieved in strengthening mangrove protection and conservation by the GCCA+ programme. The PRSUMF project aims to support Suriname in building the resilience of target coastal communities through inclusive, gender-responsive coastal zone management, mangroves conservation, and sustainable use. The project aims to achieve this objective:
Through the above approach, the project aims to mitigate some of the impact of rising sea levels, and frequent flooding, and support the country’s population to adapt to climate change by playing a central role in sustainable mangrove protection and use and adopting sustainable economic activities.
The project will be implemented by a project management unit headed by a Project Manager. The Finance and Admin Associate position will be part of the project management unit assisting the project team.
Scope of Work:
The Finance and Administrative Associate will be responsible for day-to-day financial as well as administrative activities pertaining to the implementation of the PRSUMF project. S/He will support all financial and internal control concerns on the project, such as budgeting, raising of vouchers, procurement, updating reporting templates, payments as well as ensuring the implementation of financial and internal controls on the project under direct supervision of the Project Manager and overall guidance of the UNDP Suriname operations. The Finance and Administration Associate will ensure the adequate financial controls are in place to maintain propriety and proper accountability of expenditures during project implementation.
Key functions and responsibilities
Key functions and responsibilities of the Finance and Admin Associate include:
a. Effective and efficient administrative and logistical support:
b. Support project financial management:
c. Support operational management of the project:
d. Support knowledge building, knowledge sharing and capacity building relevant to the assigned project.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional arrangement
Competencies
Core competencies Achieve results LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline Think innovatively LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements Learn continuously LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, ask for feedback. Adapt with agility LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible. Act with determination LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident Engage and partner LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships. Enable diversity and inclusion LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-functional & Technical competencies Thematic area name definition Business Management Resource management Allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with business needs and priorities and principles of accountability and integrity Business Management Portfolio management
Ability to select, prioritize and control the
organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management
Business Management Partnership management Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies Business Management Procurement Management The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source Finance Budget Management Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets Finance Financial Risk Management Ensures financial resilience through proactive assessment of risk, implementation of controls and taking mitigating action. Understands risk and reward in relation to collaborative and commercial projects. Ensures a culture of positive risk management Finance Financial reporting and analysis Understands changes in regulatory, legal and ethical frameworks and standards for financial reporting in the public sector. Ability to extract, evaluate financial data, derive relevant findings and present them in a meaningful and coherent manner to facilitate effective decision making and performance monitoring. Understands the benefits of integrated reporting, including non-financial resources such as human, social and intellectual capital, and environmental and governance performanceMinimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA
Minimum Education requirements
Minimum years of relevant work experience
Required skills
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
Required Language(s)
Disclaimer
Important applicant information
All posts in the NPSA categories are subject to local recruitment.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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