Job Description

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Finance Assistant, BIOPAMA

Vacancy #:
6669


Unit:
ESARO - South Africa Conservation Areas and Species


Organisation:
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)


Location:
South Africa Country Office, Pretoria, South Africa


Reporting to:
Finance Officer, BIOPAMA


Work percentage:
100%


Grade:
A2


Expected start date:
02 January 2024


Type of contract:
Fixed-term (36 months with possibility of renewal)


Closing date:
12 December 2023


BACKGROUND

THIS POSITION IS OPEN ONLY TO SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONALS OR THOSE WITH THE RIGHT TO WORK IN SOUTH AFRICA ON LOCAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

BACKGROUND:

The IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) operates in twenty-four countries in the Horn of Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa and the Western Indian Ocean. The ESARO region is extremely rich in biodiversity with high number of endemic species and the largest remaining populations of iconic wildlife left on the continent. ESAROxe2x80x99s Programme focuses on biodiversity conservation through a diverse portfolio of projects and programmatic initiatives ranging from activities at the level of individual protected areas to shaping regional policy on biodiversity conservation. ESARO defines and delivers on its programmatic priorities in collaboration with IUCN members, commissions and other strategic partners. The Biodiversity Portfolio within the IUCN Eastern and Southern African region implements the Biodiversity and Protected Area Management Programme (BIOPAMA) in this region and is seeking support for finance management for BIOPAMA.

BIOPAMA is an EU-funded project that aims at improving the long-term conservation of biodiversity in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands region and enhancing the capacity of existing institutions and networks involved in biodiversity conservation and protected area management. Regional Observatories and a Reference Information System were established during phase I (2012 xe2x80x93 2017) and in the second phase of BIOPAMA (2017 xe2x80x93 2023), the focus is on supporting the collation of Management Effectiveness and Governance information in the Eastern and Southern African region for decision-making as well as implementing action on the ground (through a grant-making mechanism) to achieve fair and effective protected and conserved areas.

JOB DESCRIPTION

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Finance Assistant will work with colleagues in the Finance Unit to ensure the smooth operations of the IUCN BIOPAMA project, and assist the IUCN ESARO Finance team in achieving the highest standards in accounting and financial reporting of activities in BIOPAMA.

DUTIES:
More specifically, the roles and responsibilities of the Finance Assistant are as follows:

Finance:
Implementing partners/Action Component grantee financial reporting and audits:
Maintain the tracking table for projects reporting deadlines, sending reminders to grantees
Review periodic interim and final financial reports, and support the grantees in correcting the reported data for processing.
Ensure that financial reports are supported by appropriate supporting documents (e.g. supporting documents for expenditures, timesheets, procurement and deliverables as prescribed by the EU reporting rules)
Assist the grantees in resolving any queries (e.g. correcting the reported data and submitting any missing documentation)
Ensure that all final reporting documents are uploaded by the grantees on the BIOPAMA AC Portal
Check that all expenditure reported is in line with the EU guidelines for the Action Component grants
Follow up with the grantees on the auditorsxe2x80x99 queries
Organize and file supporting documents effectively and liaise with the BIOPAMA Finance Officer to ensure that the documents are complete
As needed, daily recording of accounting data into the accounting system for all transactions that are encompassed within the country and inter-company transactions.
As needed, and in conjunction with the Finance Officer, BIOPAMA ensure high quality financial data is entered into the NAV system by checking compliance with financial management principles and IUCN requirements
Maintain project physical filing system in the office as well as online document filing system
Liaise with the Finance Officer, BIOPAMA to organise project audits, carry out internal reviews of cost project expenditure, and arrange for the smooth conduct of internal and external audits in the country office, including the timely provision of required information.
As needed, assist the project administrator in preparing and processing payments.
Carry out any other financial and or administrative duties as assigned by the BIOPAMA Finance Officer.

Others;
Assist to develop capacity of non-finance staff on IUCN & relevant donor financial management guidelines, policies and procedures as may be required.

REQUIREMENTS




POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education:
University degree or diploma in accounting, finance, or Part CIS, ACCA, CIMA;
High proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Work Experience:
Minimum of three years working experience in a similar role in the NGO/development sector;
Experience of working with Enterprise Resource Planning software will be an advantage. Exposure to/ familiarity with Microsoft Dynamic NAV ERP system will be a distinct advantage;
A good understanding of accounting principles and experience in developing, monitoring, and reporting on budgets.

Language Requirements:
Fluency in written and spoken English is essential and French and/ or Portuguese is an advantage

Core Competencies;
Transparency: Able to build trust and contribute to informed and responsible decision making by carrying out the work of IUCN in a transparent manner; provides clear guidance to ensure that objectives and desired measurable results are understood by members of the team.
Inclusiveness: Understands and accepts cultural diversity, and provide a tolerant, positive and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrates ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
Professionalism: Promote the organisationxe2x80x99s interests, objectives and values in a diligent and professional manner.
Accountability: Takes responsibility of individual and collective actions, promotes the IUCN One Programme approach.

Functional competencies;
Highly motivated and results-oriented individual
Exceptional attention to detail
Ability to work independently and as part of a larger team
Excellent interpersonal skills and a strong team player with proven communication and diplomacy with the ability to work effectively with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams
Sound organizational skills and ability to prioritize and deliver assignments as required and ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines;
Commitment to continuous learning and proactive and mature attitude towards self-development;
Strong analytical capabilities and a high level of Morning and attention to detail
Able to travel when required.

APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews. Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: http://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/ About IUCN

IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.

Created in 1948, IUCN is now the worldxe2x80x99s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and some 15,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.

IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve peoplexe2x80x99s well-being.

www.iucn.org
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