Finance Senior Officer

<!–

Description

–>

The Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) brings together governments and philanthropies to work with partner countries in the region. We support the transition towards modern energy systems that can simultaneously ensure economic growth, energy security, and environmental sustainability. Enabling the transition toward greener energy systems will greatly contribute to the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement objectives.

ETP focuses on Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, which are the countries in the region with the highest energy demand, a substantial pipeline for fossil fuel-based projects, and a significant and cost-effective potential for renewable energy and energy efficiency. ETP provides high-level technical advisory support, holistic support to Governments on financing and technical needs, capacity and skill development, and facilitation of dialogues in all related areas. One of the upcoming interventions by the ETP in the Philippines is on carbon pricing instruments and the wider topic of climate finance.

Programme Finance Senior Officer role

• The Programme Finance Senior Officer plays a pivotal role in ETP programme and project budget management, financial flows, and grants and contract management in order to support successful financial management of the multi-donor trust fund. S/he promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations, with responsibility for budget control functions, accounts maintenance; adherence to fund management and project management methods and strategies. 
• The Programme Finance Senior Officer works under the general guidance and supervision of the Senior Programme Manager (Fund Management), in collaboration with the programme team and implementing partners. S/he also works in close collaboration with relevant colleagues in HQ and Regional offices in the support services, resolving finance-related issues and information exchange.

Functional Responsibilities

• Budget planning, financial reporting, monitoring, and control
• Grant and contract management
• Funder engagement and legal agreements

Budget planning, financial reporting, monitoring, and control

• Monitor the status of the ETP programme budget allocations and expenditures, and flag potential risks so that mitigation or corrective actions can be taken.
• Establish and maintain proper financial control mechanisms for ETP, including financial transactions, analysis, reconciliation of accounts, and document storage system.
• Prepare ETP annual budget and support other budgetary planning activities, using in the suitable format with clearly written assumptions.
• Prepare financial reports, and ensure timely inputs and updates to UNOPS systems; contribute to maintaining updated and accurate ETP trackers
• Ensure timely and effective disbursements of all payments, including ensuring all needed documentation is completed.
• Coordinate with the Support Service Unit in tracking expenditures, cash forecasting, and seeking advice for foreseeable audit issues when reviewing financial reports.
• Keep contact with EAPMCO finance team, and IPAS Finance to verify, correct, add, and improve the quality of financial activities of the project including financial reports and audits.
• Review of proposals and implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies decided by the office management.

Grant and contract management

• Ensure that end-to-end grant/contract management processes are compliant with UNOPS processes.
• Actively track and manage risks within ETP portfolio, emphasizing knowledge sharing and implementing best practices in grant/contract administration.
• Oversee the entire lifecycle of grants, including due diligence assessment, grant award request, drafting of grant agreement and amendment, disbursements, and closure.
• Review of financial reports from grantees, and advise and guide grantees on financial management and reporting on their grants.
• Prepare and/or review project Terms of Reference (ToRs) in coordination with the Programme team.
• Coordinate the drafting of contract documents and the administration of contracts and agreements; identify and address risks related to active contracts.
• Ensure effective coordination regarding ETP procurement process for complex initiatives, through liaising with relevant colleagues in the Support Service Unit or at HQ; monitor compliance with UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies
• Review and oversee payment requests from implementing partners, consultants, service providers; verify and confirm the validity of charges; maintain up-to-date records and documentation.
• Conduct monthly reviews with the Programme team to discuss project progress and solutions to address problems.

Funder engagement and legal agreements

• Support the coordination with the existing or new funders regarding their contribution agreements, particularly concerning finance and budgetary matters.
• Support the engagement revision in oneUNOPS Projects (oUP); manage EAC submissions and other HQ policy and compliance-related requests.
• Support the preparation of and monitor adherence to legal documents (Project Agreements, MOUs, Partnership Agreements, Grant Agreements, etc.).
• Prepare financial progress reports for funders, as per the agreement; verify reporting requirements and ensure adherence to those requirements. 

Tracking the progress of key contract deliverables and reports from the Secretariat including:

• Annual budget submission, work plan and project approvals
• Annual, semi-annual, quarterly progress reports and financial reports
• Project reports
• Cash forecasts and funder disbursements
• Ad hoc requests from the Steering Committee

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• A Master’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business or Public Administration, International Development, or a related field is required. 
• A Bachelor’s degree in the above-mentioned fields or related fields in combination with two (2) additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree.

Work Experience 

• Minimum two (2) years of relevant experience, in any of the following: budget preparation, monitoring, financial management, reporting for projects or programme, or other related fields is required.
• Experience working with international and multilateral development organizations is preferred.
• Knowledge of UN rules and procedures in Grant, Procurement, Finance, and administrative rules and regulations is an asset.
• Previous experience working with donors and government bodies is preferred.
• Experience in the usage of Google Suite applications is an asset.

Language

• Fluency in English is required. 

Source: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=28372

<!—

<!–

–>