Org. Setting and Reporting

OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response effort. OCHA’s mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions. This position is located in the Humanitarian Financing Unit (HFU) of OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (OCHA ROAP), based in Bangkok, Thailand. (OCHA ROAP), of which its objective is to provide all related humanitarian financing services, both through remote support and physical deployment, to all OCHA offices across the Asia Pacific region. The incumbent reports to Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Head of HFU), OCHA ROAP.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Humanitarian Affairs Officer (Head of HFU), and overall supervision of the Head of office, the incumbent is required to perform the following functions: 1. Ensures Implementation and contributes to development of financial and Project management strategies, and adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results: i) Develop and maintain country SOPs regarding administrative and financial workflows of HF in all countries covered by the APHF, ii) Ensure financial revision of project applications and project budgets for quality control and compliance to the HF guidelines (including budgetary procedures in line with HF budget review criteria), iii) Provide guidance on Humanitarian Financing and administrative procedures and guidelines to partners on applications to clarify requirements for accessing grants and iv) Conduct market cost survey for items commonly purchased under Humanitarian Financing projects. 2. Ensures the Projects financial management of Projects focusing on achievement of the following result: i) Review project budgets to determine normal costs and variations in project expenditure areas to be determined, and ii) Review requests for project amendments and revisions of projects and provide recommendations to the Head of Humanitarian Financing Unit particular in budgetary aspects. 3. Ensures proper Control of accounts and Humanitarian Financing reports focusing on achievement of the following results: i) Track, collect and review final financial reports from relevant recipient organizations to ensure accuracy and compliance with Humanitarian Financing guidelines and provide feedback to partners, ii) Liaise with auditors for project audits; review audit reports, communicate audit findings to partners, ensure that comments on the draft audit reports are satisfactorily addressed by implementing partners; finalize final disbursements or requests for refunds; and facilitate project close-out in close coordination with the Head of Humanitarian Financing Unit and the OCHA Administrative Services Branch at the HQ level, iii) Develop, maintain, and update a database to support cost effectiveness analysis of Humanitarian Financing project proposals, iv) Prepare and update numerical and narrative reports detailing Humanitarian Financing performance, and v) Reconcile and coordinate HQ-level records and the Funds field records (on project performance and financial data/information) to produce reports and updates. 4. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the Humanitarian Financing and support to all stakeholders on financial matters focusing on achievement of the following results: i) Support monitoring and evaluation visits to project sites in any country under the Asia and the Pacific Humanitarian Financing Unit if necessary, ii) Conduct Financial and administrative partner visits as per SOP and Humanitarian Financing Guidelines, iii) Maintain all related files updated and share information with colleagues, and iv) Perform other duties as required by the Head of Humanitarian Financing Unit and the Head of Office, ROAP.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of financial principles and practices. Ability to independently conduct research and analysis, formulate options and present conclusions and recommendations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
• Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Education Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in project management, development studies, international relations, public administration, economics, accounting or a related field is required. A relevant first-level university degree in the above fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job – Specific Qualification A certificate or diploma in financial management is desirable. Work Experience A minimum of 2 years (or 4 years if graduated with a first-level university degree) of experience in areas of grant and/or programme management, humanitarian affairs, humanitarian emergencies, donor relations, monitoring and evaluation, communication and reporting, budget management and/or administration-financing is required. Experience in humanitarian financing, e.g., grant management, fundraising, and donor relations for humanitarian programmes is required. Experience in handling web-based management systems and ERP financials, preferably PeopleSoft is desirable. Experience in humanitarian assistance is desirable. Experience with a UN agency and or an international NGO is desirable. Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Thai is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details). Required Languages Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking English UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II Thai UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II UN Level II Assessment Qualified applicants may be evaluated through a competency-based interview and/or other assessment methods. Special Notice Candidates must be Thai nationals. Appointment against this post is on a local basis; candidates shall be Thai nationals and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the ESCAP office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, Thai nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case the candidate would be responsible for any…