PIRAS Facility Finance Analyst (Suva)

This is a one-year fixed term co-terminus position fully financed with supplementary funds, contract renewal depends on the fund availability and/or duration of the project. There is no expectation of renewal or conversion into another contract type. This position is open only to nationals of Fiji or to people holding a valid work permit in Fiji.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and  advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.

The Financial Operations Department (FOD) is a dynamic financial, strategic and responsive business partner and service provider fully supporting IFAD in developing its financial strategy and managing its financial, investments and material resources. FOD ensures that these resources are efficiently, economically and effectively used to achieve IFAD’s objectives in the long-term and deliver on its development commitments. The Financial Management Services Division (FMD) develops and oversees financial policies and project financial management practices in IFAD-funded operations, including financial reporting, audit, project liquidity management, fiduciary compliance and support. The division is responsible for IFAD’s financial management workforce including consultants.

IFAD, in partnership with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) and the UN COVID-19 Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) are jointly financing the Pacific Islands Rural and Agricultural Stimulus (PIRAS) Facility in an effort to support countries in mitigating the impact of COVID-19. The goal of the PIRAS Facility is to minimize the impacts of COVID-19 on livelihoods and food security of rural households. Stimulating the agriculture sector of the implementing countries will support economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and improve incomes and food & nutrition security for rural communities. The activities under the PIRAS Facility build on national measures and include regional activities to be delivered under this position as well as joint or coordinated activities with MPTF partners (ILO, UNESCO and UNDP). 

The PIRAS Finance Analyst works under the overall strategic, policy and management guidance of the Director FMD and the direct supervision of the Senior Regional Finance Officer and receive overall strategic, policy and management guidance provided by the Chief Financial Management Officer.

The PIRAS Facility Finance Analyst is responsible for ensuring the highest efficiency in financial resources management and the provision of accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial information, effective delivery of financial services, and transparent utilization of financial resources. S/he works in close collaboration with the Country Directors (CD)/Country Programme Managers (CPM), PIRAS Project Coordinator and other programme management and technical staff to ensure consistency, cohesion and synergy in the application of technical support and provision of programme development support.

The Finance Analyst will support IFAD and the PIRAS Regional Coordinator in overseeing the planning, implementation and monitoring of the PIRAS Facility in close coordination with implementing partners such as ILO, UNDP, UNESCO, World Vision, Pacific Islands Farmers Organisation Network and the Project Management Units of IFAD-funded projects in Tonga and Samoa.  Duties include: 

• Ensuring effective financial management of the PIRAS Facility.
• Supporting financial management functions and good governance of Project PMUs (PIRAS Facility).
• Undertaking fiduciary reviews to ensure effective Financial Management outcomes of PIRAS Facility and support financial management of IFAD-funded projects.
• Consolidate the financial reports, and provide comprehensive assessment on financial information.
• Under the supervision of FMD, actively support the PIRAS Regional Coordinator and APR related planning and reporting functions relevant for securing PIRAS objectives.

1. FINANCE BUSINESS PARTNER: The PIRAS Facility Finance Analyst is a reliable partner to the Department/Division/Unit where assigned to. S/He supports the Fund’s finance strategy and plans as well as models a commitment to financial integrity by acting as a responsive and constructive associate with a focus on results. The Analyst provides verbal and written advice and guidance to supervisors and staff on finance regulations, rules, and procedures, facilitating a mutual understanding of roles and fiduciary accountabilities in support of the integrity in the management of the Fund’s financial resources. The Country Finance Analyst’s focus is on building her/his knowledge base of the Fund’s governing structure, mandate, long-term business strategy, organizational dynamics, and culture. Specific tasks include:

• Coordinate with project partners and PIRAS PMUs to review and ensure the preparation and submission of their Annual Work Plan and Budget, Interim financial reports and project progress reports on a quarterly basis.
• Prepare a consolidated Interim Financial Reports based on the individual reports submitted by project partners and PIRAS PMUs.
• Provide daily support to programme recipients, PIRAS Project Coordinator by providing responses to financial/budget/project expenditures related queries.
• Review Withdrawal Applications (WAs) and financial reports/documents, and ensure the subsequent disbursements to programme implementers are made in compliance with financial agreements and IFAD disbursement procedures.
• Organize and take part in the annual supervision missions by the programme and provision of implementation support to programme recipients particularly concerning financial issues.
• Maintain close liaison with Finance Officers of project partners and PMUs in order to provide consistent support to ensure sound and consistent implementation of fiduciary issues.

2. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: Representative occupational activities include specific tasks  to ensure the prudent financial management and good governance of the PIRAS Facility as follows: 

• Maintain close liaison with IFAD Senior Finance Officer and Finance Officer to keep abreast of financial management related issues of existing IFAD-funded projects participating in PIRAS.
• In collaboration with IFAD Finance Officer, monitor financial management in all participating countries as part of supervision or implementation support missions and financial progress monitoring (e.g. FM arrangements, financial performance assessments, annual external audit reports on the project financial statements) and provide proactive financial management support as required.
• Actively promote full transparency and accountability in project implementation procedures at all times.
• Review the interim financial reports and unaudited financial statements of PIRAS Partners and PMUs to feedback and ensure that the audited reports are timely submitted, in compliance with IFAD Financial Reporting and Auditing requirements. Timely prepare consolidated Financial reports for PIRAS Facility as per financing agreement requirements.
• Support Project PMUs in the formulation, revision or application of fiduciary guidelines in the execution of financial processes.
• Follow up with project on the accurateness and timely preparation, submission of financial reports and audited financial statements in line with IFAD Financial Reporting and Auditing Requirements.
• Coordinate financial management dialogue and actions on programmes and projects involving the IFAD's operational staff, cooperating institutions, co-financiers and projects.
• Maintain operational links with project stakeholders and cooperating institutions during implementation.
• Facilitate FM training to projects participating in PIRAS projects.
• Provide financial management support to other IFAD projects in Pacific region as required and agreed with the supervisor.

3. AGENT OF CHANGE: The PIRAS Facility Finance Analyst maintains an awareness of and gets acquainted with the principles of change management and proactively undertakes the commitment of serving as a role model for transformation and capacity for acceptance of change. S/He uses a knowledge of results- based management and budgeting, enterprise resource planning (ERP) and other information technology to analyze and promote acceptance of new methods of work and automated work flows. At this level the Analyst manages change through consultations with finance colleagues and peers to ensure open and regular communications pertaining to current and planned changes in the Fund’s financial administration.

4. MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The PIRAS Facility Finance Analyst is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the personal use of assigned IFAD resources, including equipment, supplies and, if applicable, general service/consultants supervised.

The key results have an impact on the overall efficiency in financial resources management and success in introduction and implementation of operational strategies. Accurate, thoroughly researched and documented financial information, timely and appropriate delivery of services ensure client satisfaction and enhance IFAD credibility in use of financial resources. The PIRAS Facility Finance Analyst independently performs the full range of work for a complete, homogenous financial operation or components of financial operations in support of a geographic or other organizational area. The supervisor may be consulted in the analysis of complex and/or precedent setting cases to ensure consistency in the interpretation and application of regulations and rules and to document such decisions. The key performance indicators for Country Financial Analysts at this level include accurate performance of assigned finance operations, technical quality in terms of both depth and adaptive relevance to client needs and customer service approach to problem resolution.

The PIRAS Facility Finance Analyst may represent FMD’s Asia and Pacific regional unit on related matters at internal meetings. If requested by the supervisor for specific tasks, they may also represent the unit at external meetings and conferences. Internally, the PIRAS Facility Finance Analyst is required to explain and clarify financial plans and decisions taken or procedural changes planned to ensure accuracy, completeness and integrity of financial data and reporting. Contacts are mainly with programme management staff in the country of assignment, but may also include contacts with finance, treasury, audit and programme management staff in other country offices and Headquarters. External work relationships for the PIRAS Facility Finance Analyst at this level may require an exchange of information with outside sources including staff from governments, specialized agencies acting as country office host agencies, Borrowers and Cooperating institutions. In work relationships with counterparts s/he establishes and maintains relationships and projects the image of IFAD as a credible/reliable partner striving for harmonization of financial development activities. 

Organizational Competencies:

Level 1:

• Strategic thinking and organizational development: Personal influence
• Demonstrating Leadership: Personal leadership and attitude to change
• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating: Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge and innovates
• Focusing on clients: Focuses on clients
• Problem solving and decision making: Demonstrates sound problem solving and decision-making ability
• Managing time, resources and information: Manages own time, information and resources effectively
• Team Work: Contributes effectively to the team
• Communicating and negotiating: Communicates effectively: creates understanding between self and others
• Building relationships and partnerships: Builds and maintains effective working relationships
• Managing performance and developing staff: Manages staff and teams effectively

Education:

• Level: Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent). In lieu of an advanced degree, a first level degree in combination with an additional four years of qualifying experience, over and above the minimum requirement may be accepted (i.e. a total of six (6) years)
• Area - Accounting, finance, business administration or other job-related field
• CPA qualification or equivalent preferred
• Degree must be from an accredited institution listed on https://www.whed.net/home.php.

Experience:

• At least two (2) years of professional experience in accounting, financial management, finance role in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope
• Experience with an international financial institution or global development organisation would be an asset

Language requirements:

• English (4 - Excellent)
• Desirable: French, Spanish, or Arabic (3 – Working knowledge)

Skills:

• Analytical skills, Outstanding ability to analyse and synthesize qualitative and/or quantitative information from a variety of sources and filter out key insights and recommendations
• Basic ICT & digital fluency, Expertise relevant to the specific role (e.g. in-depth, computer information systems, including micro-computer operating systems software, hardware and applications software and other office technology equipment), end-user computing configuration management
• Client orientation: Strong critical thinking combined with communication skills to liaise between the business and technologies to understand business problems and needs, document requirements and identify solutions
• Disbursements, Payroll and Payments , Know-how in financial checks required for disbursements of loans and grants, payments and payroll transactions to reduce risk of error, fraud and non-compliance with rules, maintenance of clean vendor master files, arrears and debt management of loans
• Financial reporting & accounting, Know-how in financial reporting, statutory and other reporting as well as advanced application of IFRS standards, derivatives, loan credit risk, financial regulations, policies, rules and procedures applicable to IFAD and IFIs
• Initiative and good judgment: High sense of proactive initiative-taking and good judgement (including on security matters)
• Problem solving, Strong systemic and structured thinking, ability to identify and dissect problems into components and formulate a comprehensive set of creative viable and sustainable solutions and strategies
• Project financial management, Excellent know-how in project financial management, e.g. internal controls, rural investments, project audit and funds flows
• Time management: Adherence to deadlines under time constraints and pressure (e.g. to deliver governing body documents on time); ability to coordinate and manage complex workflows and in-house and external teams
• Verbal communication: Clear, succinct and convincing verbal communication; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language
• Written communication: Clear, succinct and convincing written communication in the language needed for specific role; highly professional, balanced and diplomatic language (e.g. for drafting of position papers, briefings, etc.)

Applicants should note that IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD. In accordance with IFAD's Human Resources Policy, staff members are subject to the authority of the President who can decide to assign them to any of the activities of the Fund. All International Professional staff members are required to be geographically mobile and positions in the professional category are subject to changes in location at any time in line with strategic priorities and reform initiatives in IFAD.

In the interest of making most cost effective use of funds and resources, we are only able to respond to applicants who are short-listed for interview. Candidates who do not receive any feedback within three months should consider their application unsuccessful

Candidates may be required to take a written test and to deliver a presentation as well as participate in interviews.

This is a one-year fixed term co-terminus position fully financed with supplementary funds, contract renewal depends on the fund availability and/or duration of the project. There is no expectation of renewal or conversion into another contract type. This position is open only to nationals of Fiji or to people holding a valid work permit in Fiji.