Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Through its Country Offices, or FAO Representations, FAO assists governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to address hunger and malnutrition, and provides technical support for the sustainable development of their agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors. The activities of the FAO Country Offices include design and implementation of country-tailored field programmes, liaison with local donor representatives, and active public awareness-raising and outreach activities related to FAO initiatives such as the World Food Day.

Reporting Lines

The Finance and Administrative Expert will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Malawi and the direct supervision of the International Administrative Officer.

Technical Focus

The Finance and Administrative Expert will be responsible for office administration and financial management, including personnel, assets, accounting, and logistics management for FAO Malawi.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Assist the International Administrative Officer in coordinating the Administration and Finance Unit
•    Assist the FAO Country Office in formulating, implementing and updating the Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) for human resources, assets, finance and logistics management in compliance with FAO corporative policies and guidelines.
•    Facilitate in collaborating with the UN Country Team in performing UN common services in the areas of HR, administration, finance, ICT, and logistics.
•    Assist in liaising and collaborating with FAO sub-regional, regional and HQ offices in matters related to administration and finance management.
•    Facilitate organization of monthly meetings of the Administrative and Finance Unit, and monitoring of implementation of meeting agreements.
•    Support implementation and updating of the Country Office Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) for human resources, assets, finance and logistics management.
•    Support payments processing, bank account monitoring and monthly bank reconciliation, to ensure the compliance of expenditures with approved budgets, completion and consistence of committing documents.
•    Support establishment and functioning of a proper inventory and assets management system.
•    Support establishment and proper functioning of an archive system.
•    Support handling of internal and external audits.
•    Support planning and implementation of Country Office regular budget programme.
•    Support implementation of UNCT Security Risk Management (SRM) Strategy and FAO security guidelines.
•    Participate in monthly UNCT Operations Management Team (OMT) meetings; facilitate participation of FAO members in OMT Working Group meetings.
•    Any other duties assigned by the International Administrative Officer.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in accounting or business administration.
•    12 years of relevant experience in administration and finance management.
•    Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of the English language.
•    National of Malawi

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Extent and relevance of experience in the field of office management and administration including supervisory experience.
•    Extent of knowledge of UN or standard operational rules and procedures and project/programme administrative management procedures.
•    Extent of knowledge of FAO’s corporate systems and data base, or knowledge of other accounting or financial modules or applications relevant to accounting procedures or project budget management would be considered an asset.
•    Demonstrated analytical and judgment skills and ability to apply rules and regulations in the subject field.
•    Excellent oral and written communication skills.