Background

The implementation of the Poverty-Environment Action for Sustainable Development Goals is beginning on 1st September 2018. Department of Economic Planning and Development (EPD), UNDP and the UNDP-UN Environment Poverty and Environment Actions for the SDGS (PEA) are seeking a national candidate to ensure that the administrative and financial elements of the activities related to the project will be fulfilled in a timely manner in accordance with the PEA workplan

The majority of the population in Malawi depend on natural resources for subsistence and income. Thus, unsustainable use of these resources will make it harder to achieve food security, poverty reduction and other national development priorities. This also compromises the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Consistent with this, the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) III includes ‘Agriculture, Water Development and Climate Change Management’ as one of the key priority areas as well as Environment and Natural Resources Management’ as another development area of focus.

The UNDP/UN Environment/FAO/UN Women supported Malawi Poverty-Environment Action for Sustainable Development Goals (PEA) aims to enhance the contribution of the sustainable management of natural resources to poverty reduction, sustainable economic growth, food security and broader achievement of the SDGs. The PEA is led by the Department for Economic Planning and Development (EPD) in collaboration with Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining (MoNREM), UNDP Malawi, FAO Malawi, UN Women Malawi and the Poverty-Environment Action for Sustainable Development Goals. Other key partners include Ministry of Finance (MOF), Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development (MoAIWD), Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MOLGRD) and other relevant sector ministries.

The intended outcome of the Malawi PEA is the sustainable and inclusive natural resource management to improve agricultural productivity for poverty reduction, strengthened gender equality and expanded climate resilience. The impact will help to improve soil fertility, agricultural and fisheries productivity, ecosystem health, and food security for women and men through catalyzing investments in more sustainable practices, and thereby improve people’s livelihoods and climate resilience.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Chief Accountant, and under direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Finance and Administrative Assistant shall undertake the following tasks:

• Prepare payment requests/quarterly advances for project implementation in collaboration with PM and ITA;
• Support the recruitment processes, payment and reporting from consultants working under the PEA;
• Prepare and maintain accounts in accordance to set procedures (UNDP etc.), including preparation of audited accounts, monitoring actual expenditure and forecasting project completion costs to advise project management accordingly;
• Ensure timely and correct management and reporting of funds to Implementing Agency/UNDP Malawi and the UNDP-UN Environment PEA;
• Provide counterparts and stakeholders with information related to the project;
• Assist in the production project outreach material;
• Coordinate minutes and reports from meetings;
• Support budget planning and revisions;
• Spearhead the logistic organising of workshops, trainings, seminars etc.
• Undertake procurement of office supplies and stationary;
• Take part in the overall management of the project and track activity implementation and support the timely delivery of prioritised activities;
• Assist in administration of personnel matters;
• Set up a filing system for the project and ensure accurate records of project activities and inventory of project support equipment;
• Actively facilitate communication to and with PEA partners;
• Attend to routine office queries and mail distribution/submission.

The Finance and Administrative Assistant will be stationed at EPD and will report to Principal accountant Project Manager

Competencies

Required Skills and Experience

Required is a person who has knowledge of Malawi civil service administration and UN experience is desirable.

• Diploma in administration, accounting or related field, those with a degree or ACCA, professional certification will have an added advantage;
• Knowledge of up to date accounting packages, and computer literacy in full Microsoft Office and office technology equipment.
• Progressively responsible experience in budget administration and financial reporting;
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to work under pressure and to establish and maintain effective work relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds;
• Strong team working skills.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to express ideas clearly, logically and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Fluent spoken and written English.
• Computer literacy in full Microsoft Office and office technology equipment.

Source:https://jobs.partneragencies.net/erecruitjobs.html?JobOpeningId=18119&hrs_jo_pst_seq=1&hrs_site_id=2