Organizational Setting
The Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) works to ensure that countries and stakeholders respond to the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. OCB provides a cross organizational coordination role on issues related to climate change, biodiversity and the environment and is the focal point for major multilateral environmental agreements including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The Office also assists FAO Members in their responses to the interlinked challenges of food security, climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation including through facilitating access to climate and environmental financing (such as the GEF and the GCF). In addition, OCB hosts the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Programme, the Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture as well as FAO’s work on environmental safeguards.
The Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) performs the tasks established under the ITPGRFA and arranges for and provides technical, logistic and administrative support for sessions of the ITPGRFA's Governing Body and for any subsidiary bodies, as may be established, and assists the Governing Body in carrying out its functions, including the performance of specific tasks that the Governing Body may decide to assign to it.
Reporting Lines
The Specialist will report to the Secretary and work closely with the Programme Officer and the Programme Associate of the Secretariat.
Technical Focus
By assisting the Secretary, support the work of the Secretariat related to the financial management of the work programme of the Governing Body and the Secretariat’s work plan (budgeting, accounting, financial monitoring and analysis).
Tasks and Responsibilities
• Provide support to the Secretary in overall financial management and coordination of the ITPGRA budget, including preparing the status of budget, income, expenditure and projected cash flow.
• Review expenditure of the Core Administrative Budget and Trust Fund projects monthly and produce integrated reports to support work planning and assure control of available resources within the Financial Rules of the ITPGRFA.
• Prepare and issue the calls for contributions and follow-ups to Contracting Parties for the Core Administrative Budget and the Reserves.
• Maintain and update the Treaty’s financial records relating to receivables and receipts of voluntary contributions.
• Prepare the annual accounts of the ITPGRFA for publication on the website and arrange adjustments/transfers as necessary in collaboration with relevant staff members.
• Prepare necessary inputs for pre-session/background documents for the sessions of the Governing Body and its subsidiary bodies, including preparation of the Financial Report and the Work Programme and Budget.
• Assist the in-session Budget Committee of the Governing Body during the consideration of the draft Budget and related matters.
• Provide advice on and perform on-going work in relation to calls for contributions, including calls for contributions to Contracting Parties and maintenance of financial records relating to receivables and receipts of voluntary contributions.
• Provide support to the resource mobilization activities through the preparation of budgets and other financial data in donor project proposals.
• Provide support to the preparation of donor reports on projects by reviewing expenditures and preparing financial reports.
• Provide support to activities relating to the Benefit-sharing Fund (BSF) of the ITPGRFA and in particular reviewing and approving periodic financial reports provided by implementing partners, liaising with them for follow-ups as necessary, to facilitate the disbursement of funds in accordance with the terms of the relevant Letters of Agreement.
• Provide support to prepare financial reports and other relevant financial data for submission to the BSF donors and the Funding Committee of the ITPGRFA.
• Provide support to the organization of various meetings in preparing costs and expenditures.
• Liaising with relevant partners within (CSF, OSP) and outside of the FAO in relation to the financial management of the ITPGRFA.
• Perform other related duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree (for Consultants) or University degree (for PSA) in economics, finance, accounting, business administration and completion of professional qualification in accountancy (CA, CPA, ACCA).
• One to four years of relevant experience for (CAT C), and at least five years (for CAT B) of relevant experience in relation to financial management, especially trust fund management, in an international organization
• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Demonstrated experience in financial and trust fund management within the United Nations system
• Demonstrated ability to formulate, draft and finalize clear financial documents, concept notes, guidelines
• Advanced knowledge of Oracle Financials and MS Office, in particular Excel
• Good communication skills, including preparing and delivering presentations on financial matters
• Experience with organization of intergovernmental meetings at international level