Finance & Administration Officer (ASGM)

The Improving Environmental Management in the Mining Sector of Suriname, with Emphasis on Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM). This GEF funded project is implemented in Suriname by the Ministry of Natural Resources as national implementing partner and National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname (NIMOS) and other responsible partners with support from the United Nations Development Programme.  

The project seeks to improve the environmental management of mining in Suriname, particularly small-scale gold mining, which is the largest driver of deforestation in the country and contributes to biodiversity loss (through habitat degradation and pollution), climate change (through deforestation) and unsustainable land, water and forest management.   The project will address policy and institutional constraints to improved management of ASGM as a sector as well as to create an enabling environment for the dissemination of environmentally responsible mining practices. To do so, the project will work at the policy level (Outcomes 1 and 2) with government stakeholders, as well as with miners themselves (Outcome 3) to demonstrate the environmental and economic benefits of environmentally responsible mining practices (ERMPs) and technologies.  The model proposed is one that relies on the identification of benefits for miners that arise from the application of ERMPs, including social and economic benefits, as well as the design of a system of national level financial, fiscal and regulatory incentives to help re-orient the market towards more responsibly sourced gold.  Based on the lessons learned from this model, the project will implement an upscaling strategy that will include knowledge sharing at local and national level, as well as with neighbouring countries (Outcome 4).

The project will be implemented over a period of 7 years and will be coordinated through a project management team located in Paramaribo, Suriname (following UNDP support to National Implementation Modality - NIM), with interior field operations managed by responsible partners. The project is now seeking a qualified Finance and Administration Officer for the daily management of the project.

OVERALL SCOPE OF THE WORK

The Finance and Administration Officer has the responsibility to monitor the financial implementation of the project under the overall guidance and supervision of the Project Manager. The Finance and Administration Officer is supported by the Project Manager, Chief Technical Advisor and Monitoring and Evaluation officer. The Project Management Unit (PMU) will be assisted, on an ongoing basis, by technical experts and consultants who will be recruited to assist in the completion of project activities. The main consultants include an Artisanal and Small-Scale Goldmining (ASGM) specialist or Geologist, and an Indigenous and Tribal People (ITP) community & stakeholder engagement specialist, who will provide long-term assistance. The Finance and Administration Officer will ensure the adequate financial controls are in place to maintain propriety and proper accountability of expenditures.

The Finance and Administration Officer reports to the Project Manager. On a day-to-day basis, S/he will work in close coordination with the PMU, local and international consultants, other responsible partners, the Ministry of Natural Resources and NIMOS.

The Finance and Administration Officer will provide high quality financial controls and proper accountability of expenditures with all relevant stakeholders at national, country and demonstration site level. S/he will work with government, inter-governmental organizations, NGOs, donors, and the private sector to monitor financing of project implementation in line with signed project document, the objective and outcomes.

Finance and Administration Officer

• Review and process payment requests by obtaining necessary documentation, clearances and authorizations and ensuring payments are made promptly;
• Ensure financial integrity of the project budget and accounts;
• Participate in the recruitment of consultants and service providers, particularly as regards the commercial and financial evaluation of proposals;
• Develop and submit financial reports as required;
• Procure office equipment and supplies (including communication and audio equipment, supplies etc.) as needed;
• Manage and organize everyday office work;
• Establish a proper filing system and maintain files and documentation in good order;
• Follow up on travel arrangements and DSA payments;
• Maintain personnel files, performance evaluation reports, leave records, and other pertinent personnel/consultant records;
• Ensure all financial reporting and/or submission deadlines from UNDP-GEF (HQ) are met;
• Provide logistical and other administrative support to the project team and visiting missions, as required.
• Carry out other administrative and financial management tasks as needed.
• Ensures the financial transactions are properly authorized, recorded, have adequate supporting documentation, filled, maintained and can be easily extracted for the purpose of preparing financial statements; and financial audits.
• Monitors budgets and expenditures and contribute to preparation of budget revision.
• Prepares and submits timely and reliable UNDP financial documents and financial reports.
• Establishes a computer based monitoring system for expenditures.
• Checks and ensures that all procurement process and expenditures of the project in accordance with the UNDP procedure. This includes ensuring receipts to be obtained for all payment.
• Checks budget lines to ensure that all transactions are booked to the correct budget lines.
• Contribute to formulation of strategic and long-term business plans.
• Liaising with auditors to ensure annual monitoring is carried out
• Developing external relationships with appropriate contacts, e.g. auditors, solicitors and bankers

Professionalism:

• Knowledge and understanding of Results Based Management and associated Outputs indicators and activities.
• Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, think laterally and resolve complex issues in a dynamic and changing environment.
• Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various validated research and data sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases are required.
• Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities.
• Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• Demonstrates UN values and ethics.

Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others.
• Places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning and organizing:

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required.
• Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Business.

Work Experience, Skills and Knowledge

• At least 5 years relevant continuous work experience in finance and administrative functions.
• Proven experience working with Government, Mining private sector, international organizations and donors.                                                        
• Excellent command of written and spoken English; with demonstrated ability for report writing.
• Excellent command of written and spoken Dutch is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in procurement and preparation of financial reports and budget variance analysis.
• High integrity, strong result orientation and drive for excellence and initiative taking.
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills; with demonstrated ability to establish effective working relationships.
• Previous experience with donor funded development projects is an asset.
• Computer skills, incl. internet navigation and various office applications. 
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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