As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) has a strong dependence on natural resources and biodiversity not only for food and income. The Marshallese relationship with the islands forms the basis of its culture and way of life which has developed in harmony over thousands of years.
The hydro-geophysical features of the country significantly contribute to its high vulnerabilities to natural disasters and climate change. Increasing sea level rise and decreasing rainfall characterize RMI’s vulnerability to climate change in relation to freshwater supply These climate change impacts are likely to exacerbate the risks of freshwater shortages in RMI, challenging the ability of the Marshallese people to have access to safe freshwater resources year-round.
The project “Addressing Climate Vulnerability in the Water Sector (ACWA) in the Marshall Islands” supports the Government of Republic of the Marshall Islands (GoRMI) in adapting to increasing climate risks, particularly more frequent and extreme droughts, which impact the country’s drinking water supply. Communities and the households in RMI primarily rely on a single water resource and supply system, which makes them highly vulnerable to risks of water shortages and drought. Despite previous water related investments, the people of RMI still do not have year-round access to safe freshwater supply for drinking, cooking hygiene and sanitation, particularly under droughts lengthened through climate change impacts.
The proposed intervention aims to increase resilience of water resources for drinking and hygiene purposes in RMI.
The Projects will be directly executed by UNDP Pacific Office, in close partnership with the Government of RMI and will be part of the Resilient and Sustainable Development (RSD) team. Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Project Manager, the Project Finance/Admin Associate directly supports the effective implementation and management of the Projects
Administration and implementation of operational and financial services for the project
- Assist the DPM with planning, formulating, tracking of the project budget;
- Ensure full compliance of the project with UNDP and GCF rules and regulations on financial processes, financial records, reports and audit as well as effective and the internal controls frameworks;
- Track project delivery through ATLAS and other tools;
- Maintain an Activity-based expenditure table to monitor expenditure on a real-time basis; ensure that the expenditures are in line with the approved Annual Work Plan;
- Carry out an analysis, as needed, on the expenditure projection based on the deviation of the actual expenditures from the AWP and keep the members of the PMU, Government and UNDP informed of the risk of under-delivery;
- Provide the information/reports on the financial/accounting situation of the project and propose solutions to improve the situation;
- Oversee that the financial/accounting data is accurate in Atlas and take timely corrective actions on erroneous data;
- Accuracy verification of Combined Delivery Reports;
- Provision of necessary financial reports and analyses for donor reporting;
- Verification and reconciliation of various expenditures reports from the Responsible Party(ies);
- Preparing payment requests and processes vouchers in Atlas as request of the NPM and DPM.
Provide administrative support for the PMU
- Maintain PMU documentation in electronic and/or hard copy format (including financial records such as supporting documents for vouchers and POs), according to UNDP policies and guidelines;
- Maintains and regularly updates project counterpart contacts database;
- Review and compile necessary documentations during procurement process, in support of the Procurement Associate;
- Review and verifies invoices and common services expenses charged to the PMU budget (rent, utilities, phone, miscellaneous);
- Organize project-related meetings outside of RMI;
- Provide communication support (electronic and hard copy correspondence, etc) to all PMU staff.
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing
- Advice to Project staff on UNDP administrative and reporting, in particular, on budgetary issues;
- Organize trainings for the Government of RMI on financial management;
- Synthesize lessons learned and best practices in programme and project finance;
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Core Competencies:
- Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
- Self-development, initiative-taking.
- Acting as a team player and facilitating team work.
- Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively.
- Creating synergies through self-control.
- Managing conflict.
- Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
Functional Competencies:
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing
- Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things;
- Identifies and communicates opportunities to promote learning and knowledge sharing.
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise
- Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position;
- Possesses knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks (broad range of specialized knowledge related to financial resources management, including formulating budgets, maintaining Accounts Receivables and Accounts Payables, reporting);
- Analyzes general information and selects materials in support of partnership building initiatives;
- Identifies new and better approaches to work processes and incorporates same in own work;
- 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.
Promoting Organizational Change and Development
- Documents ‘best practices’ in organizational change and development within and outside the UN system;
- Demonstrates ability to identify problems and proposes solutions.
Design and Implementation of Management Systems
- Uses information/databases/other management systems;
- Makes recommendations related to work procedures and implementation of management systems.
Client Orientation
- Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion;
- Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
- Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients;
- Responds to client needs promptly.
Promoting Accountability and Results-Based Management
- Gathers and disseminates information on best practice in accountability and results-based management systems;
- Maintains databases.
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting/ Finance
Experience:
- 5 years of progressively responsible financial management or accounting experience is required, with knowledge of programme or project finance desirable.
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.
- Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS is a distinct advantage.
Language:
- Proficiency in spoken and written English.
Important applicant information
All posts in the SC 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.
Workforce diversity
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
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Contract Duration: 1 year