Central Asia, and in particular Uzbekistan, is recognized as one of the world’s most vulnerable regions to the impacts of long-term climate change. There is a growing evidence that more frequent extreme weather conditions such as droughts, heat waves, out of season frosts and storms are occurring and to large extent affecting the agriculture and thus vulnerable populations in rural areas.
Agriculture remains an important sector of the economy and a critical income source as well as food provider for many rural families in Uzbekistan. The Government of Uzbekistan is planning to diversify the agricultural production from cotton to fruits and vegetables, which will also provide higher export potential for the country.
This transition however, will require significant awareness raising, capacity building in modern agricultural practices and introduction of innovative solutions including those that help adapt farmers and households to increasing impacts of the climate change, value chain development and institutionalization of government support in these areas.

With financial support of the UNDP-Russian Trust Fund for development, UNDP has initiated the project on “Enhancing the adaptation and strengthening the resilience of farming to Climate Change Risks in Fergana Valley (ACCRF)”.

The proposed project will aim at enhancing the capacities of regional administrations to analyze the impact of climate change on agricultural practices and integrate climate change considerations into local and sector development programmes.  The project will also work with local farmers to improve the efficiency of agricultural practices and usage of natural resources, as well as to enhance their resilience to climate variability effects through the introduction of modern small agro-meteo stations with integrated software to alert and forecast of meteo-conditions, pest infestation, bio and chemical use time etc.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of Project Manager and in close coordination with Sustainable Cluster team, the Administrative Finance Assistant provides operational/financial and administrative services to the project, ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work.

The Administrative Finance Assistant works in close collaboration with the Government counterparts, project, operations, and UNDP Programme’s personnel in the Country Office to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.

• Based on consultations with Project Manager and UNDP Operations to perform procurement related operations in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures;

• Provide organizational and administrative support in implementation of project activities including organization of roundtables, workshops, trainings, working meetings and other events;

• Prepare all financial and administrative documents related to the project implementation in accordance with the UNDP rules and procedures, maintain project’s expenditures and commitments shadow budget;

• Develop quarterly and annual budget plans for recruitment of personnel; maintain financial records and monitoring systems to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, payments and other data for day-to-day transaction and reports;

• Bear responsibility for project logistics/travel arrangements, as well as recruitment/extension/ separation of the project personnel;

• Ensure leave monitoring of project personnel, check the accuracy and proper completion of monthly leave reports;

• Advise and assist Project personnel, experts and consultants on all respects of payments, allowances, travel claims and other financial and administrative matters;

• Prepare detailed cost estimates and participates in budget analysis and projections as required to handle all financial operations of the project office, make cash payments and reconcile all accounts in required time frame;

• Maintain, update and transmit inventory records of non-expendable equipment in accordance with UNDP rules;

• Analyze the potential problems and possible risks concerning administrative-financial issues and take respective measures to provide adequate project’s resources in time for implementation of the project activities;

• Define the cost-effective measures for optimal use of resources of the project;

• Ensure full compliance of administrative and financial processes and financial records with UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies;

• Perform other relevant duties within the scope of this position.

Based on consultations with Project Manager and UNDP Operations to perform procurement related operations in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures;

Provide organizational and administrative support in implementation of project activities including organization of roundtables, workshops, trainings, working meetings and other events;

Prepare all financial and administrative documents related to the project implementation in accordance with the UNDP rules and procedures, maintain project’s expenditures and commitments shadow budget;

Develop quarterly and annual budget plans for recruitment of personnel; maintain financial records and monitoring systems to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, payments and other data for day-to-day transaction and reports;

Bear responsibility for project logistics/travel arrangements, as well as recruitment/extension/ separation of the project personnel;

Ensure leave monitoring of project personnel, check the accuracy and proper completion of monthly leave reports;

Advise and assist Project personnel, experts and consultants on all respects of payments, allowances, travel claims and other financial and administrative matters;

Prepare detailed cost estimates and participates in budget analysis and projections as required to handle all financial operations of the project office, make cash payments and reconcile all accounts in required time frame;

Maintain, update and transmit inventory records of non-expendable equipment in accordance with UNDP rules;

Analyze the potential problems and possible risks concerning administrative-financial issues and take respective measures to provide adequate project’s resources in time for implementation of the project activities;

Define the cost-effective measures for optimal use of resources of the project;

Ensure full compliance of administrative and financial processes and financial records with UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies;

Perform other relevant duties within the scope of this position.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:

• Fundamental knowledge of processes, methods and procedures;
• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position;
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
• Presentation of information on best practices in organizational change;
• Demonstrates ability to identify problems and proposes solutions;

Core Competencies:    

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Informed and transparent decision-making.
   

Education:    

• University degree in Business Administration, Finance and/or Economics and relevant areas;

University degree in Business Administration, Finance and/or Economics and relevant areas;

Experience:    

• At least 2 years of relevant work experience in administration and finance of development projects; Work experience in international organization is an asset.

At least 2 years of relevant work experience in administration and finance of development projects; Work experience in international organization is an asset.

Language Requirements:    

• Fluency in English, Russian and Uzbek (both written and spoken).

Fluency in English, Russian and Uzbek (both written and spoken).

Others:   

• Strong financial and administrative skills, result and client-orientation;

• Ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource;

• Excellent knowledge in use of computer software packages for word processing, excel spreadsheets, power point, internet, databases and handling web-based management systems;

• Ability to work under pressure and with tight deadlines, ethics and honesty;

• Work prioritization and ability to handle multiple tasks;

• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy, confidentiality concerning financial and employee files;

• Basic understanding of development issues, governance reform, anticorruption issues is desirable.

Strong financial and administrative skills, result and client-orientation;

Ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource;

Excellent knowledge in use of computer software packages for word processing, excel spreadsheets, power point, internet, databases and handling web-based management systems;

Ability to work under pressure and with tight deadlines, ethics and honesty;

Work prioritization and ability to handle multiple tasks;

Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy, confidentiality concerning financial and employee files;

Basic understanding of development issues, governance reform, anticorruption issues is desirable.

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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Contract Duration: 6 months with possible extension (subject to satisfactory performance)