Financial and Accounting Systems Specialist
Job Posting: 19/Mar/2025
Closure Date: 02/Apr/2025, 9:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit : FRSWA
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition : NPP (National Project Personnel)
Grade Level : N/A
Primary Location: Swaziland-Mbabane
Duration : 12 Months
Post Number : N/A
- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
Organizational Setting
Eswatini has a significant and immediate need for investment in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The amount of climate finance received and disbursed, to date, covers only a small portion of the actual need, The costs of implementing the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions is conditional on receiving adequate means for implementation, including finance in addition to technology development and transfer and capacity building. The financial needs of the country as highlighted in the revised NDC (2021) ranges from USD 950 million to USD 1.5 billion required for the various national and sectoral strategies and action plans achieve net zero emission pathways.
The main objective of this readiness is to strengthen national capacities to access climate finance in Eswatini through supporting two national institutions to be accredited to GCF contribute to national climate action, develop a prefeasibility study that would be used by the two institutions and enhance knowledge and awareness of stakeholders on GCF and climate change.
The readiness project will strengthen institutional capacities for nominated entities; Eswatini Bank (EB) and Eswatini Environment Authority (EEA), support implementation of entities work programmes that are aligned to the GCF country programme and support the establishment of collaborative agreements with national private companies and regional accredited entities for enhanced resources mobilization capacities. The main beneficiaries of this project are Eswatini Environment Authority, Eswatini Bank and Ministry of Tourism and Environment and Ministry of Finance.
The level of the position is SC6.
Reporting Lines
The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representation, the technical supervision of the FAO Lead Technical Officer (LTO), and in close collaboration with other relevant FAO Project Task Force Members and the GCF Accreditation Expert and government focal points.
Technical Focus
To evaluate the institution’s existing financial management practices against GCF fiduciary criteria, identify gaps or weaknesses, provide recommendations aimed at enhancing internal controls, develop comprehensive financial risk management tools, policies and guidelines in compliance with the GCF accreditation requirements and strengthening financial management, internal controls, and audit systems within the institution.
Tasks and responsibilities
The incumbent will perform the following duties:
- Conduct situational analysis and literature review of climate change effect on Eswatini socio economic activity and adaptation and mitigation needs
- Conduct institutional capacity gaps in mainstreaming climate change mitigation and adaption
- Profile Eswatini current climate-related policies, strategies, plans, reports and action plans conducting gap analysis in mainstreaming climate action in support to international consultant
- Based on good practices report from international consultant develop guidelines for adoption of good practices by national institutions in ongoing projects and programmes
- Support the international expert to prepare an engagement plan with concerned agencies and stakeholders
- Support consultations with the Government leadership for identification of national priorities for addressing CC;
- Participate in discussions with the international expert to define strategic vision, objectives and targets of the Eswatini Government Climate Change Roadmap
- Support international consultant in coming up with recommendations on Eswatini position, direction and strategic interventions on key climate change issues from 2024-2035 Support the international expert in receiving feedback on the draft strategy from stakeholders
- Work closely with the Accreditation Specialist to review EEA financial related policies with regard to mainstreaming the internal financial assessment process, identify gaps, document opportunities in relation to national regulations and GCF fiduciary requirements to generate a situational analysis
- Review risk management strategies related to fraud prevention and detection, current financial risk management tools including risk assessment, identification, mitigation and management strategies, reporting and monitoring, governance and oversight policies procedures
- Determine financial monitoring needs by reference to EEA and Environmental Fund grant mechanisms
- Identify and assess the risks around the grant mechanism
- Evaluate the adequacy, effectiveness and sustainability of controls (both financial and non-financial) around the grant making processes
- Recommend the proper control systems to EEA management for adoption and use for disbursement of grants
- Evaluate risk management systems and advise on enhancements to align with GCF requirements.
- Develop/Strengthen financial risk management policies to manage incidents of malpractice (corruption and fraud) by internal and to external parties
- Review the appropriateness of management actions and recommend operational financial guidelines and user manual on financial risk management tools
- Facilitate mainstreaming of conflict-of-interest declaration across all procurement categories
- Ensure compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) policies, including periodic assessments and reporting.
- Conduct staff training and capacity building on comprehensive financial risk controls to mitigate financial risks
- Develop guidelines on partnership protocols for managing financial risk.
- Conduct regular internal assessments for EEA to assess compliance with financial policies, procedures, and GCF fiduciary standards. eqMXvGo BIpnb
- Review and monitor internal control mechanisms to identify weaknesses and recommend corrective actions.
- Prepare detailed financial assessment reports and provide actionable recommendations for management.
- Support the Executive Management to mainstream terms of reference of EEA audit committee functions in compliance with GCF accreditation requirements
- Collaborate with external auditors of EEA to ensure the institution’s financial audits align with GCF accreditation standards.
- Develop training sessions for staff to improve awareness and implementation of fiduciary policies and controls.
Minimum Requirements
- University degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field
- Five (5) years of experience in auditing, financial management or related field
- Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English
- National of Eswatini
FAO Core Competencies
- Results Focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Building Effective Relationships
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
- Knowledge of international financial reporting standards (IFRS) and risk management frameworks
- Familiarity with GCF fiduciary standards or climate finance mechanisms is an added advantage
- Professional certification such as CPA, ACCA, or CIA
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
- Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
- For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
HOW TO APPLY
- To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
- Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
- Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
- Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
- Incomplete applications will not be considered
- Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
- Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
- Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
- We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT
More Information
- Job City Mbabane, Eswatini
