UNOPS South East Asia Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)
The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia – 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines. EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: EAPMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia, EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Mekong, and EAPMCO Philippines.
In 2023, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 95.7 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.
The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself.
Background Information – Job Specific
The Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) brings together governments and philanthropies to work with partner countries in the region. We support the transition towards modern energy systems that can simultaneously ensure economic growth, energy security, and environmental sustainability. Enabling the transition toward greener energy systems will greatly contribute to the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement objectives.
ETP focuses on Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, which are the countries in the region with the highest energy demand, a substantial pipeline for fossil fuel-based projects, and a significant and cost-effective potential for renewable energy and energy efficiency. ETP provides high-level technical advisory support, holistic support to Governments on financing and technical needs, capacity and skill development, and facilitation of dialogues in all related areas. One of the upcoming interventions by the ETP in the Philippines is on carbon pricing instruments and the wider topic of climate finance.
Programme Finance Senior Officer role
The Programme Finance Senior Officer plays a pivotal role in ETP programme and project budget management, financial flows, and grants and contract management in order to support successful financial management of the multi-donor trust fund. S/he promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations, with responsibility for budget control functions, accounts maintenance; adherence to fund management and project management methods and strategies.
The Programme Finance Senior Officer works under the general guidance and supervision of the Senior Programme Manager (Fund Management), in collaboration with the programme team and implementing partners. S/he also works in close collaboration with relevant colleagues in HQ and Regional offices in the support services, resolving finance-related issues and information exchange.
- Budget planning, financial reporting, monitoring, and control
- Grant and contract management
- Funder engagement and legal agreements
1. Budget planning, financial reporting, monitoring, and control
- Monitor the status of the ETP programme budget allocations and expenditures, and flag potential risks so that mitigation or corrective actions can be taken.
- Establish and maintain proper financial control mechanisms for ETP, including financial transactions, analysis, reconciliation of accounts, and document storage system.
- Prepare ETP annual budget and support other budgetary planning activities, using in the suitable format with clearly written assumptions.
- Prepare financial reports, and ensure timely inputs and updates to UNOPS systems; contribute to maintaining updated and accurate ETP trackers
- Ensure timely and effective disbursements of all payments, including ensuring all needed documentation is completed.
- Coordinate with the Support Service Unit in tracking expenditures, cash forecasting, and seeking advice for foreseeable audit issues when reviewing financial reports.
- Keep contact with EAPMCO finance team, and IPAS Finance to verify, correct, add, and improve the quality of financial activities of the project including financial reports and audits.
- Review of proposals and implementation of cost-saving and reduction strategies decided by the office management.
2. Grant and contract management
- Ensure that end-to-end grant/contract management processes are compliant with UNOPS processes.
- Actively track and manage risks within ETP portfolio, emphasizing knowledge sharing and implementing best practices in grant/contract administration.
- Oversee the entire lifecycle of grants, including due diligence assessment, grant award request, drafting of grant agreement and amendment, disbursements, and closure.
- Review of financial reports from grantees, and advise and guide grantees on financial management and reporting on their grants.
- Prepare and/or review project Terms of Reference (ToRs) in coordination with the Programme team.
- Coordinate the drafting of contract documents and the administration of contracts and agreements; identify and address risks related to active contracts.
- Ensure effective coordination regarding ETP procurement process for complex initiatives, through liaising with relevant colleagues in the Support Service Unit or at HQ; monitor compliance with UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies
- Review and oversee payment requests from implementing partners, consultants, service providers; verify and confirm the validity of charges; maintain up-to-date records and documentation.
- Conduct monthly reviews with the Programme team to discuss project progress and solutions to address problems.
3. Funder engagement and legal agreements
- Support the coordination with the existing or new funders regarding their contribution agreements, particularly concerning finance and budgetary matters.
- Support the engagement revision in oneUNOPS Projects (oUP); manage EAC submissions and other HQ policy and compliance-related requests.
- Support the preparation of and monitor adherence to legal documents (Project Agreements, MOUs, Partnership Agreements, Grant Agreements, etc.).
- Prepare financial progress reports for funders, as per the agreement; verify reporting requirements and ensure adherence to those requirements.
- Tracking the progress of key contract deliverables and reports from the Secretariat including:
- Annual budget submission, work plan and project approvals
- Annual, semi-annual, quarterly progress reports and financial reports
- Project reports
- Cash forecasts and funder disbursements
- Ad hoc requests from the Steering Committee
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education
- A Master’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business or Public Administration, International Development, or a related field is required.
- A Bachelor’s degree in the above-mentioned fields or related fields in combination with two (2) additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree.
Work Experience
- Minimum two (2) years of relevant experience, in any of the following: budget preparation, monitoring, financial management, reporting for projects or programme, or other related fields is required.
- Experience working with international and multilateral development organizations is preferred.
- Knowledge of UN rules and procedures in Grant, Procurement, Finance, and administrative rules and regulations is an asset.
- Previous experience working with donors and government bodies is preferred.
- Experience in the usage of Google Suite applications is an asset.
Language
- Fluency in English is required.
Contract type, level and duration
- Contract type: InternationalICA
- Contract level: ICS 9 / IICA-1
- Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Disclaimer: If the selected candidate is a national of the duty station, a Local Individual contractor Agreement will be issued.
- Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
- Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
- UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
- Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
- We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
- Bangkok is a family duty station.
Terms and Conditions
- For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
- For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
- All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
- It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
How to apply
Click this link to apply