Introduction

The Generating Resilient Opportunities for Work (GROW) project, funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Government of Norway, builds on a series of transformative livelihood development initiatives implemented by the ILO in Sri Lanka, focussing mainly on the Northern Province.
The Northern Province, home to approximately 1.165 million people, has faced significant socio-economic challenges both as a post conflict area as well as following the 2022 economic and financial crisis. Despite development efforts, the province remains one of the poorest in the country, with acute poverty prevalent, especially among vulnerable groups, including women-headed households and persons with disabilities.
Under the Jobs for Peace and Resilience Programme, the ILO has implemented a series of comprehensive sustainable livelihood development projects working with local cooperatives, private sector and local government, especially the Local Empowerment through Economic Development and Resilience (LEED+) project and the Promoting Advancement of Vulnerable Persons and Enterprises (PAVE) project, which both aimed at uplifting vulnerable communities, particularly those engaged in agriculture, fishing and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Building on these earlier initiatives the ILO is now looking at implementing the GROW project.
The GROW project includes gender-sensitive market system approaches and enhancing climate resilience in agriculture. It aims to create sustainable livelihoods, strengthen value chains, and improve economic inclusion for marginalized communities, ensuring long-term, equitable development in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.

Reporting lines

The Finance and Admin Officer will work under the direct supervision the National Project Coordinator and the overall guidance of the Chief Technical Advisor for the Jobs for Peace and Resilience programme.

Description of Duties

1. Provide professional services for the effective delivery of the project office’s operational and financial services. Administer day-to-day operations from several of the following areas: finance, human resources, procurement, facilities and asset management, security, communications, information management, information technology (IT), ensuring full compliance with financial rules and regulations, policies, procedures and applicable standards and integrity and consistency of data in all financial transactions, recording and reporting.
2. Oversee and guide the work of staff in concerned operational areas. Supervise staff as applicable. Assist in delivery of HR operations and services relevant for the project office.
3. Provide substantive support in the continuous analysis and monitoring of the resource situation (financial, human resources) of the project office. Provide regular management reports to support informed decision-making.
4. Coordinate preparation of operating and project budgets, review budget submissions, review and process requests for budget revisions, analyse and report on budget approvals, monitor expenditures against allocations and analyse variances. Liaise with concerned managers to strengthen budget management and take corrective actions, when required.
5. Assist in delivery of financial operations and accounting services covering responsibilities for accounts payable, accounts receivable, approval of payments, accounts reconciliation, billing, monthly closing of accounts, forecasting, year-end closing of accounts.
6. Perform timely review of cash position for local accounts to ensure sufficient funds are available for disbursements. Ensure efficient local banking arrangements in compliance with local financial and banking regulations. Initiate and coordinate bank transfers for effective approval and settlement of relevant transactions. Prepare monthly cash flow forecasts.
7. Follow-up on internal and external audit recommendations and draft responses to audit inquiries and observations for consideration of supervisor.
8. Maintain liaison on daily administrative matters with local banks, insurance companies, government agencies, other UN agencies, etc related to the project office. Participate in UN interagency meetings, working groups and joint initiatives on common system activities in the concerned operational areas as requested by the supervisor. Prepare information notes on key issues and developments and follow up as required.
9. Review procurement requests against applicable standards and submit for clearance. Prepare standard solicitation documents. Provide administrative support to bidding processes. Prepare for approval purchase orders within delegated authority.
10. Keep abreast of changes to applicable standards, best practices and technologies in concerned occupational areas. Share knowledge and provide guidance to staff. Organize and conduct training for staff on finance issues. Draft lessons learned and best practices in finance, as well as guidelines and standard operating procedures, as required.

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11. Monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of work methods and processes and make recommendations for improvements. Liaise closely with staff and managers to ensure effective and smooth service design and delivery, recommending improvements on interrelated processes.
12. Conduct research and analyse data and information on a variety of operational related subjects. Prepare analytical and financial reports to contribute to programme/project monitoring and provide inputs to reports and other communications in accordance with the terms and conditions of donors and financial rules and regulations of the Office.
13. Assist the Country Security Focal Point (CSFP) in ensuring the safety, security and wellbeing of officials and the security of premises and assets in accordance with United Nations security policies and procedures. Act as Local Security Assistant as required.
14. Perform other relevant duties as required.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in social science, international relations, development studies, accounting or similar relevant field.

Experience

Two years progressively responsible for programme/field coordination related activities. Experience related to working in post-conflict environments would be an added advantage.

Technical requirements:
Good knowledge of economic development

Languages

Good communication skills, both written and verbal in English and Tamil. Knowledge of Sinhala an advantage.

Competencies

• Knowledge of programme and budget, project administration and evaluation concepts and procedures and of the mandate and structure of labour market institutions in specific countries
• Knowledge of the office’s financial rules and regulations
• Good knowledge of the context and challenges for the project areas of expertise
• Strong analytical skills and ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution and good drafting skills
• Good ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyze problems with implementation
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to clarify information
• Demonstrate collaborative and teamwork experience and ability to work effectively with a multicultural and interdisciplinary team as well as work on his/her own initiative
• Ability to work independently, quickly, precisely, and take initiative and responsibility
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet the deadline
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, web-browsers and database applications
• Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.