Administrative & Finance Officer Full-Time

Background

While conservation efforts have been significantly up-scaled in Mozambique since the end of the civil war in 1992, there are several threats affecting biodiversity. Significant increase in wildlife crime has taken place, adding to the pressures caused by uncontrolled subsistence hunting by poor communities. Since 2014 the poaching has increased, targeting not only elephants but additional threatened species, such as lions, pangolins and other. The international market for wildlife products is still of low risk and highly profitable. Subsistence poaching also threatens a wide variety of globally endangered species. With local communities expanding further into conservation areas and growing populations in need of food and income, the threats to wildlife and forest resources accelerate at alarming rates, nullifying conservation gains of recent years.The proposed project Objective is to strengthen the conservation of globally threatened species in Mozambique through implementation of the Conservation Areas Act – improving biodiversity enforcement and expanding protected areas through community conservancies and targeted rural development action.The project Objective will be achieved through achievement of three technical project Outcomes: Outcome 1 National strategy implemented to promote the value of wildlife and biodiversity for Mozambique’s national development and to combat illegal wildlife trafficking through a coordinated approach will establish new level of coordination between a range of governmental agencies to fight illegal wildlife trade (IWT) and poaching. The recently created Ministry of Land, Environment and Rural Development (MITADER), led through the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), will play a leading role in the multi-agency effort to promote compliance with national legislation and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). A national wildlife crime enforcement unit will be supported at ANAC to coordinate national IWT combat. Outcome 2 Wildlife crime is combated on the ground through strengthening enforcement operations in targeted protected area complexes as a result of a joint management efforts between ANAC and Gorongosa Restoration Project (GRP) in Gorongosa National Park and between ANAC and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in Niassa Reserve, two national Protected Areas (PA) which combined comprise 52,000 km2 estate for the conservation of flora and fauna of significant international importance. Four territorial law enforcement sectors in Gorongosa National Park will be capacitated supported by enforcement monitoring system. The enforcement team will be strengthened in Niassa Reserve. Outcome 3 Three new Community Conservancies are created in terms of the Conservation Act, effectively expanding Gorongosa National Park as well as relevant community-management arrangements are officially established in the Niassa National Reserve will result in expansion of community-based conservation area by 131,000 ha around Gorongosa National Park, and establishment of community co-management in Mecula-Marrupa Corridor in the Niassa Reserve. Lessons learned from the project, including gender mainstreaming, will be made available to facilitate IWT fight (Outcome 4). This project forms part of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Programmatic Approach to Prevent the Extinction of Known Threatened Species, and falls under the GEF Programme Global Partnership on Wildlife Conservation and Crime Prevention for Sustainable Development. Under this programmatic framework, with the coordination through the programme steering committee, coordinated knowledge management and cross-fertilization of the individual regional and national projects will be assured.The projects will be led by ANAC/MITADER as the main implementing partners, using the National Implementation (NIM) modality, and other partners which will also play an important role in the implementation of specific components, namely GRP and WCS as key responsible parties. Close coordination and collaboration between key government institutions, judiciary, civil society representatives, private sector, media and academic institutions will be necessary for successful completion of the project.To support the successful implementation of the Project Framework UNDP Mozambique is recruiting an Administrative and Finance Officer. The post will be based in ANAC/MITADER and will be under the supervision of the Project Manager.

Duties And ResponsibilitiesEffective support for appropriate project Financial Management, focusing on:

• Facilitate auditing and financial controls with respect to the Project;
• Ensure that all procurements and disbursements are carried out in accordance with the UNDP/GEF and Government of the Republic of Mozambique requirements, which requires familiarity with the national financial management procedures;
• Implementation of procurement related to the large infrastructure investments to be made under this project, in particular;
• Ensure that project-related disbursements are carried out in a timely and efficient manner;
• Ensure the smooth flow of funds to enable the timely implementation of project activities amongst the various implementation partners, including the timely replenishment of the project account;
• Compile the quarterly and annual financial reports in a timely manner, with a focus on the financial delivery of the project;
• Prepare a monthly project bank reconciliation;
• Maintain a logical and comprehensive record of financial transactions, with supporting documentation, for reference and audit purposes;
• Provide the necessary assistance and documentation for the statutory audit of annual financial statements;
• Produce and update the inventory of equipment and furniture acquired with projects funds including goods in use outside the project premises. Ensure that the inventory is consistent with the related financial documents;
• Prepare process for requisitions, POs and vouchers related to projects;
• Perform all other duties as requested by the PM and relevant to the assignment;
• Support to the Project coordinator to compile M&E reports on delivery and resource allocation.

Administrative & Procurement support to the Project, includes the following:

• Prepare and implement procurement strategies, plans and, where applicable, procedures, including sourcing strategies and e-procurement tools and procurement plans, based on the during the PPG phase developed infrastructure and procurement plans and guidance, and in line with existing procedures within the implementation partners;
• Ensure that all procurement activities under the UNDP-supported project are implemented in full compliance of procurement activities applicable;
• Elaboration and implementation of cost saving and cost reduction strategies;
• Implementation of a well-functioning strategic procurement processes, from sourcing strategy, tendering, supplier selection and evaluation, quality management, customer relationship management, to performance measurement;
• Implements and guidance to, contracts management and administration strategy within the project, constantly guided by legal framework of the organization and assessing/minimizing all forms of risks in procurement;
• Support the evaluation of offers and make recommendations for the finalization of purchases and the award of contracts; analyses and evaluation of commodity tender results;
• Managing reporting requirements to Project Management on delivery of procurement services;
• Assist in smooth implementation of projects activities, through proactive preparation of materials and documents needed;
• Participates in projects steering committees and board meetings as well as in all other meetings related to the projects for matters of incumbent competence; prepares respective minutes and reports as required;
• Assists and liaise actions/activities among projects, Government, UNDP and other partners as required for the effective and smooth projects implementation and achievement of established outcomes;
• Support the preparation of recruitment processes, payment and reporting from consultants working under the projects, keep all records and reports;
• Spearhead the logistic organization of workshops, trainings, seminars etc. and assist in the production project outreach material;
• Provide assistance to the IP, guidance and training required to effective implementation and observation of rules and regulations, ensuring transparency;
• Reporting on project deliveries.

Impact of results

• Ensure proper control of harmonized cash transfer (HACT) and related risk management within the framework of programme content and operational agreements;
• Timely submission of procurement plans;
• Quarterly updates on the procurement plans implementation;
• Monthly reports on project deliveries and budget consumption;
• Midterm project review of financial and administrative accomplishments;
• Final project report.

Competencies

Functional Competencies

• Good knowledge on development issues, especially in the areas of environment and development;
• Knowledge of the Results Based Management Guide and Toolkit, and IT skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards and compliance with the norms and values of the GoM;
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN;
• Disseminates the vision, mission and strategic goals of ANAC;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills And Experience

Education

• Bachelor degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Procurement, Accountancy or related field.

Experience

• At least five (5) years’ work experience in administration / accountant area, of which at least one year was closely related to support of project / program activities;
• Knowledge of UNDP rules and regulations will be an asset;
• Knowledge of HACT procedures is an advantage;
• Knowledge of accounting policies and principles;
• Knowledge of the national public sector procurement procedures;
• Capable of working independently;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Excellent inter-personal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people;
• Good computer skills and proficiency in standard computer applications (MS Word, MS Excel, etc.).

Language Requirements

• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) in English and Portuguese.

Disclaimer

Women candidates and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.