Organizational Setting

FAO, in cooperation with the Government of Malawi and other relevant partners are incepting the project on Ecosystembased Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities in Malawi (EbA. The project aims at building climate resilience in vulnerable watersheds and communities through increasing climate resilience of watershed ecosystems, stabilizing productivity and farmers’ incomes and enhancing enabling environment. Total cost of the project is estimated at USD 2 million, which will be cofinanced by the Green Climate Fund (GC, FAO and the Government of Malawi. The project will be implemented in 11 targeted districts in different regions in Malawi over a period of 6 years. Around 575,000 vulnerable people in rural communities will benefit from project interventions and more than 83,000 heIPOres of land will be restored through application of Ecosystembased Adaptation approach.

Reporting Lines

The National Finance Specialist (NFwill work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOin Malawi, direct supervision of the International Administrative Officer (IA, and will work closely with the FAO EbAM project team and other Executing Entities.

Technical Focus

The National Finance Specialist performs daytoday finance management functions for smooth implementation of EbAM project.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Retrieves, enters, selects and analyses data from a wide variety of sources, verifies accuracy of data documents; makes necessary calculations and produces accurate management accounting reports.
•    Performs monthly bank reconciliations of all organizations bank accounts.
•    Follows up and resolves all reconciling entries resulting from cash book to bank reconciliations.
•    Liaises with the bank regarding entries postings on the bank statement affecting bank reconciliations.
•    Liaises with the Finance Division at FAO HQ (CSon matters concerning monthly bank reconciliations.
•    Monitors cashbook and bank balances and requests for timely funds transfers from FAO Headquater Office.
•    Participates in Finance Working Group meetings of the Operations Management Team (OMof the UN Country Team (UNCin Malawi; and assists the International Administrative Officer on assignments arising from OMT.
•    Reviews, reconciles and certifies payments made for Cash Transfers to beneficiaries.
•    Participates in the regular meetings of the UN Harmonized Cash Transfer Team (HACas the FAO focal point, and acts on assignments arising from HACT meetings.
•    Support scheduled audits and spot checks on funds advanced to Implementing partners.
•    Conduct capacity building on finance management for FAO EbAM project team, other EbAM Executing Entities and all implementing partners, including government departments, academic institutions, NGOs and private sector.
•    Filing of documents used in bank reconciliations and all correspondence received from the bank and FAO HQ.
•    Performs spot checks on Outposted Petty Cash held by Administrative and Finance Specialists in the Regional Offices.
•    Reviews petty cash expenditures of the Representation and regional offices, conducts spot checks on petty cash balances.
•    Any other related duties assigned by the International Administrative Officer.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    Advanced University degree in Accounting, Business Management or other related fields.
•    Five years’ experience in accounting, finance management or other related areas.
•    Working knowledge (level of English and Chichewa.
•    Nationality of Malawi.
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FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Relevance of experience in working with FAO or other UN agencies.
•    Relevance of experience in finance management for investment projects implemented by FAO or other UN agencies.
•    Knowledge and strength in computer skills, especially MS Office and advanced Excel.
•    Ability to work with people of diverse cultural and national backgrounds.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION