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Office/Unit/Project Description

Climate change in Seychelles has intensified coral bleaching events and mortality over recent decades. Climate  change  projections predict  that  global coral  bleaching  events will  increase  in frequency  and intensity.  To reduce  the  impact of  climate  change on  local  communities and  coral  reef-dependent economic sectors, the United National Development Programme (UNDP) and the Adaptation Fund (AF) have launch a regional project specifically aiming at increasing climate resilience at both regional and local levels  by  implementing coral  reef  restoration with  thermal  tolerant corals  as  adaptation to  climate change.   The regional  ‘Restoring  Marine Ecosystem  Services  by Rehabilitating  Coral  Reefs to  Meet  a Changing Climate Future’ project or ‘Coral Restoration project’ is being implemented by UNDP in both the Republic of Mauritius and the Republic of Seychelles through the Direct Implementation modality (DIM). Overall the project has 3 major components of which Component 1 is for Mauritius; Component 2 is for Seychelles and Component 3 is for regional activities and knowledge sharing.  The project objective will be achieved through the following outcomes i) development of a sustainable partnership  and  business approach  to  reef restoration,  ii)  establishment of  coral  farming and  nursery facilities, iii) active restoration of degraded reefs; and in both countries iv) improved understanding and knowledge  management of  using coral reef restoration  as an  adaptation  to climate  change  v) sharing regionally and globally the experienced learned in sustainable coral reef restoration, and ix) training to build capacity for long-term sustainable coral reef restoration.

In Seychelles, the  Ministry  of  Agriculture,  Climate Change  and  Environment (MACCE)  is  the national responsible party  for the project. To ensure effective implementation of the Coral Restoration project and delivery of all the intended outcomes and outputs in accordance with the Project Document within the approved budget, UNDP seeks a qualified Financial and Administrative Associate for the Seychelles component. Financial and Administrative  Associate in Seychelles will be a part of the regional project management team and work under direct the supervision of the Regional Project Manager and under the guidance of the UNDP Seychelles team and Natoinal Project Coordinator

Scope of Work:

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions

The Financial and Administrative Associate (FAA) will work under the direct supervision of the Regional Project Manager and  guidance of the UNDP Programme and Operations Specialist and National Project Cordinator  in Seychelles.  Key  function of  the  FAA is  to  provide effective  administrative  and financial support  services  to the  Seychelles  Coral Restoration  team  in accordance  with  respective UNDP  and Adaptation Fund (AF) procedures to ensure successful implementation of the project with delivery of all the  intended  outcomes and  outputs  in accordance  with  the Project  Document  within the  approved budget,  including such  duties  and responsibilities.  She  will also    liaise  with the  Chief  Programme Coordinator  and Senior Accountant  of the Programme  Development  and Coordination  Section (PDCS) under  the  MACCE to  ensure  that the  implementation  of the  activities  are carried  out  in line  with  the approved project document and Work Plan.

A budget and associated annual work plan (as approved by the Project Steering Committee) will provide guidance on the implementation of activities.

1. Ensure administration and implementation of operational strategies, adapt processes and
   procedures focusing on achievement of the following results;
2. Ensure administration of the project budget;
3. Provide accounting and administrative support to the project;
4. Implement HR services.

Functions/Key Results Expected

Specific tasks and responsibilities:

1. Ensure administration and implementation of operational strategies, adapt processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:

The Finance and Administrative Associate will report directly and work under the supervision of  the ‘Regional Project Manager of the Restoring Marine Ecosystem Services by Rehabilitating Coral Reefs to Meet a Changing Climate Future’ project. He/She will work in close collaboration with the National Project Coordinator, UNDP Seychelles team and the Programme Development Coordination Section of the Ministry. The Finance and Administrative Associate will also work under the guidance of the UNDP Seychelles team to ensure effective
collaboration.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Result: 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, asks 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

Business Management

• Communication
  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
• 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 and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.

Business Development

• Operations
  • Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.
• Monitoring
  • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.

Finance

• Accounting (General)
  • Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks, standards, regulations, policies and trends, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.
• Audit risk management
  • Ability to address audit issues raised in the course of an audit and propose solutions in order to ensure a true and fair audit opinion is achieved.
• Budget management
  • Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.

Requirements:

Minimum education requirements:

• Secondary education is required or;
• University Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, Economics, Engineering or equivalent field will be given due consideration.

• A minimum of 7 years (with high school diploma) or 4 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible administrative or project experience is required;
• Previous relevant experience in financial management and budgeting;
• Experience in project administration and human resources management;
• Experience in working with multi-stakeholders.

Required Skills:

• Computer Literacy and hands on Office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and/web based ERPs.

Required Language(s) at working level

• English is required;
• French and Seychellois Creole are desired.

Disclaimer

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.

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