Project Finance & Administrative Associate (PAFA)

The project, Sustainable Finance of Papua New Guinea’s Protected Area Network, will extend Government of Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) ability to fulfil its protected area mandate and implement the Protected Area Policy:

(i)    secure stable and long-term financial resources for the management of protected areas across the country; 
(ii)   ensure that these financial resources are allocated to contribute to improving effectiveness of the management of the protected areas across the country; and 
(iii)   ensure that they are managed cost-effectively and efficiently with respect to their conservation and other complementary development objectives.

In recognition of this need, the project has assisted in with the development of a diversified mix of conventional and innovative funding sources and consolidate revenues to finance the ongoing costs of establishing and managing protected areas and assist the establishment of a Biodiversity and Climate Fund – that will be built on a secure, accountable and transparent financial mechanism, for receiving, administering and disbursing funds. The project will, therefore, result in a system that will provide catalytic and long-term financial support that will lead to stable ecosystems (both within and outside of protected areas), coupled with the social transformations to make that happen (including transforming institutions to become supporters/facilitators of that process, and the establishment of long-term partnerships).

UNDP will be recruiting a Project Associate to be responsible for the overall procurement and administration of the project to support the Secretariat of the PNG Biodiversity and Climate Fund. 

  

• Process and track payments to internal and external stakeholders;
• Contribute to timely day-to-day administrative and financial operations of the Project Management Team in close coordination with UNDP country office teams;
• Provide support to the Biodiversity and Climate Fund (BCF) financial operations and reporting;
• Assist all necessary financial disbursement and procurement of goods and services in a timely manner;
• Prepare and provide update on financial expenditures on quarterly basis to the project management for review;
• Prepare financial reports for review by the project management and BCF;
• Prepare budget forecast for the project specific work plans together with the project manager; 
• Carry out expenditure analysis against the planned budget and annual work plan;
• Provide timely guidance and support to the government partners on routine UNDP operational procedures and guidelines for implementation of projects;
• Contribute to registration and maintenance of all project assets on a daily basis;
• Contribute to revision of work plans and budgets;
• Responsible for administrative functions including office management, procurement and facility maintenance;
• Implement and enforce administrative policies and procedures;
• Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks;
• Audit financial transactions and documents;
• Make recommendations for cost saving opportunities and process improvements. 
      
   

Institutional Arrangement 

• Achieve Results:    LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• Think Innovatively:    LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
• Learn Continuously:    LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback. 
• Adapt with Agility:    LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
• Act with Determination:     LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
• Engage and Partner:    LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion:    LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.  

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Required skills:

• Good knowledge of MS Office and ability to learn and adopt to new systems

Desired skills: 

• More than 2 years of experience working in the UN system. 
• Experience collaborating with government agencies, international organizations, and community leaders.
• Knowledge of UN regulations, rules, and procedures..