FAO Nepal Vacancy for Program Finance Associate

Assignment country: Nepal

Expected start date: 01/06/2025

Sustainable Development Goal: 1. No poverty

Volunteer category: National UN Youth Volunteer

Host entity: FAO Nepal

Type: Onsite

Expected end date: 30/04/2026

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Kathmandu

Details

Mission and objectives

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. We believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger.

Join us in creating a #ZeroHunger world.

Context

FAO Nepal is looking for a dynamic candidate to support financial part of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Green Climate Fund (GEF) projects that is being implemented by the partner Ministry at federal and provincial level. All these vertical funds are on budget on treasury system of the Government of Nepal. The incumbent will be working closely with the project team i.e. FAO-TA (GCF) and project management unit (PMU) of the Operation Partner (government) i.e., federal Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) and provincial Ministry of Tourism, Forests and Environment (MoTFE) with focus on maintaining coordination amongst key stakeholders and actors.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the FAO Representative in Nepal, under technical and operation supervision of AFAOR (Programme and Admin), direct supervision of Senior Programme Operation Specialist, consultation coordination with GCF and GEF focal person of the country office and the project manager of the related projects, the UNV Finance Associate will:

Project management:

•  Contribute towards the development of project specific plans and processes, aligned with FAO policies and processes to meet the needs of the project,
•  Facilitate in developing field mission programs and support logistics for visiting missions, maintain travel records and recommend related travel claims,
• Support to project lead for implementation of activities in line with FAO norms and procedures
• Review the procurement plan for goods and services/ office supplies as required by the project and liaison with FAO procurement unit, make necessary arrangements to expedite the procurements as well as assist in the delivery of the consignment at appropriate level,
• Assist in organizing various meetings, workshops, consultations and other project events,
•  Maintain proper documentation for all project-related activities
• Monitor cash flow and funding needs of project activities Support to update the risk mitigation plan regularly

Finance management:

• Monitor budgets and carry out forecasting for new and ongoing activities according to established FAO procedures and requirements.
• Review annual, six monthly and quarterly financial report submitted by the OP in line with progressive technical report and agreement template
•  Coordinate with project teams to monitor expenditures and ensure they align with the approved budget.
• Carry out project budget revisions in line with the approved total project budget and actual expenditures within the stipulated time frame,
•  Assist to provide orientation to the stakeholders, collaborating partners and other concerned on the financial management system of the project,
• Report on key data for financial status and outcomes of project activities in accordance with corporate governance requirements, ensuring accuracy, deadlines, and accounting processes
• Perform other project related tasks as assigned by the FAO.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day).
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
• Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
•  Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
•  Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
•  Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
• Efficient project implementation and coordination through adherence to FAO procedures, support in logistics, procurement, event organization, documentation, and risk management.
• Sound financial oversight ensured by regular budget monitoring, expenditure tracking, timely reporting, and alignment with FAO’s financial systems and governance standards.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
•  A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 – 80

Required experience: 1 month

Nationality: Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience: 5 years

Languages

Nepalese, Level: Fluent, Required
English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in in any discipline

Competencies and values

Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to FAO Nepal technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to FAO Nepal procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and FAO Nepal in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority.

Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary.

Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance, and commitment towards FAO Nepal’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Skills and experience

• Sound knowledge of project administration and financial accounting and reporting.
• Knowledge of UN system, UN policies and values, understanding of financial management and budgeting system of both government and UN system will be desirable.
• knowledge of computer skills (MS Office package: word, excel and power point) and financial database management.
• Experience with similar development projects will be an added advantage.

Skills

• MS Office package: word, excel and power point

Area(s) of expertise
Administration

Driving license
–

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, lies under the Phase 1 of the UN Security classification, but is subject to change depending on the development of the security situation. The living conditions in Kathmandu are good. Comfortable inexpensive flats (furnished and unfurnished) are available in Kathmandu. Both imported and local foods and clothing are abundantly available. There is a short supply of water while it is also not safe to drink without treatment. Public transport is easily available and generally reliable though traffic congestion is extremely high. Kathmandu has a temperate climate with coldest temperature reaching just above zero at the night during the winter and mild but humid during the monsoon period, mid-June to end September.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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Advertisement end date:12/05/2025

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