Finance and Operations Officer - NOA (DC)

Introduction

ILO Country Office for Bangladesh, with funding from Global Affairs Canada, has launched a project entitled: 'Leaving No One Behind: Improving Skills and Economic Opportunities for the Bangladeshi Community and Rohingya Women & Youths in Cox's Bazar.' The Project is designed based on the combined experience, mandates and values of specific development and humanitarian organizations in responding to the forced displacement of Myanmar Rohingya people in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, from 2017 onward. The Project is built on an alliance of ILO, UNHCR, IOM, UNDP, where ILO and UNDP will work in the host community and UNHCR and IOM in the Rohingya Camps, that will combine their expertise and experiences in refugee protection, livelihood, skills development, and self-reliance for the Rohingya Refugee and host communities. This Consortium will also play a leading role in harmonizing of practices under the Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis.

The project interventions aim to improve the resilience and self-reliance of Rohingya refugees and enhance the economic empowerment of vulnerable host communities through skills and livelihood development programme ensuring employment and decent work. It will provide support through skills and entrepreneurship development for the vulnerable refugees and host communities using ILO tools and methodologies to improve their livelihood and enhance the peaceful co-existence of the refugee and host community.

The ILO will lead the Project as an Administrative Agent and receive contributions from GAC and transfer to the participating UN agencies as per UNJP modality. Besides, ILO will set up a convening agency for the host community responsible for the overall technical and political leadership of the Project and comprise the technical expertise to support the entire Project and consortium partners.

The incumbent will perform the Financial Clarifying Officer (FCO) role at the Cox’s Bazar duty station with a view to ensuring all financial and operational support services required for efficient and effective implementation of the project are in accordance with ILO rules and procedures. 

Guidance and Supervision:

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Director of ILO Country Office and direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor, the Finance and Operations Officer will contribute to the implementation of the project in the areas of his/her competence. As a Financial Certifying Officer (FCO) of the Cox’s Bazar duty station, the incumbent will work closely with the HQ and Regional Finance units. 
 

Description of Duties

1.    Perform the FCO role for the Cox’s Bazar duty station with a view to ensuring all financial services and operational support services required for efficient implementation of the project workplan are in accordance with ILO rules and procedures. Act as certifying officer and approve actions in the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system IRIS
2.    Receive and analyse financial documents giving particular attention to apparent anomalies or unusual trends and initiating action to correct situations where anomalies occur; review regular financial reports, and prepare reports, correspondence, and advice on complex cases. 
3.    Review payment requests and other financial documents in order to approve any payments or adjustment of advances provided to the partners and supervise the preparation of month-end bank reconciliation statement and certify thereof
4.    Provide advice and guidance concerning the Organization's financial practices and rules and provide authoritative interpretation of requirements for handling transactions in the operations supervised (e.g., authorising payments, approving budgets and various accounting documents).
5.    Collaborate with staff performing administrative operations and manage overall administrative work of the project.
6.    Prepare budget revision requests and produce periodic financial statements from Office system (IRIS) as and when required
7.    Manage the operation of the financial services of the area of responsibility and prepare related managerial reports, including monthly financial progress report under Annual Development Programme (ADP) reporting requirement of the government.
8.    Monitor and review selected financial transactions and documents (e.g., budget proposals, payment requests, etc.) prior to entry into the finance system; ensure implementation of procedures to control and monitor income and expenditure.
9.    Prepare recurrent and ad hoc reports and relevant explanations, as requested by senior management.

10.    Prepare draft replies to internal and external audit observations concerning the assigned operation.
11.    Prepare procurement plan, process procurement documents and monitor and implement timely payments of the contracts under the project. 
12.    Analyse budget information to prepare and consolidate estimates and supporting
data in relation to budget forecasts, performance reports and medium-term plans; review financial provisions of project agreements and documents; assess budget requests and draft budget proposals.
13.    Perform other related functions, as assigned  by the supervisor.

Required qualifications

Education

University degree in Business Administration, Finance or Accounting  

Experience

Two years of professional financial or accounting experience at the national level  

Languages

Excellent command of English and Bangla  

Competencies

⦁    Good knowledge of principles and concepts related to the areas of operations (e.g. finance, HR, administration, procurement, etc.). 
⦁    Good knowledge of PC software (including word processor and spreadsheet and presentation software) such as Microsoft Office. 
⦁    In addition to the ILO core competencies [Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation, Collaboration], this position requires: 
⦁    Ability to interpret and work within applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures. 
⦁    Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems.
⦁    Analytical skills. 
⦁    Good drafting skills. 
⦁    Ability to maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders. 
⦁    A high degree of discretion with sense of responsibility in dealing with confidential matters. Interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy when dealing with others. 

• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
•  Knowledge of the office’s programming matters and activities.