POSITION TITLE: National Finance Officer

DURATION AND SALARY: 5 YEARS [AUD22.800 p.a] 

MINISTRY AND DEPARTMENT: MINISTRY OF FINANCE, CLIMATE CHANGE DEPARTMENT 

LOCATION: CCD OFFICE, TUVALU 

1. JOB PURPOSE:
The objective of the National Finance Officer (NFO) is to look after the day-to-day
administrative and financial management matters of the project “Enhancing Climate Information and Knowledge Services for Resilience in 5 Island Countries of the Pacific Ocean” hereafter refers to Climate Information and Early Warning Systems (CIEWS) and ensure sustainable financing for climate services in Tuvalu. He/she will support the National Programme Implementation Coordinator (NPIC), the Tuvalu Meteorological Service and the Executing Entity (EE) - Climate Change Department to ensure sustainable financing for climate services in Tuvalu.
The NFO will be responsible for providing support in the various administrative and financial management functions of the Project Management Team (PMT) and in national programme implementation. These are such matters as financial analysis, budget analysis, financial reporting, budgeting, financial planning and financial performance monitoring.
The NFO will also provide support to the National Programme Implementation Coordinator (NPIC) for logistical arrangements for procurements, workshops and/or training programs, including purchase order requests, receipt and processing suppliers invoices, ensuring that programme finances are clearly maintained and updated regularly, and advising the PIM on any
problems regarding any financial matters. In addition, the NFO will support implementation of a market assessment for climate services and development of a national policy for financing climate services.

2. PROJECT BACKGROUND
The overall goal of the Programme is to increase the resilience of populations in the Cook Islands, Niue, Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and Tuvalu to climate change and climate-related hazards, through the delivery of timely, accurate and actionable climate and ocean information and early warnings to facilitate climate-resilient policy, planning, preparedness and response actions.
The Programme will establish integrated climate and ocean information services and multihazard early warning systems (MHEWS) in five Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS):
Cook Islands, Niue, Palau, RMI and Tuvalu. This will be achieved through the following four inter-related Programme Results:
Programme Result 1:
Strengthened delivery model for climate information services and MHEWS covering oceans and islands. This will put in place the institutional frameworks, market analyses, financial policies and mainstreaming of climate risk knowledge to underpin a sustainable business delivery model for climate services.
Programme Result 2:
Strengthened observations, monitoring, modelling and prediction of climate and its impacts on ocean areas and islands. This will transform the five National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) from WMO Basic (Category 1) to Essential (Category 2) level; meet the surface-based standards of the Global Basic Observing Network (GBON); establish end-to-end Ocean Information Services; establish Quality Management Systems (QMSs); and support Impact-based Forecasting – with a focus on building in-country capacity for long-term
sustainability.
Programme Result 3:
Improved community preparedness, response capabilities and resilience to climate risks. This will establish last-mile delivery of early warning and early action in island communities through enhanced warning communication, dissemination, and building preparedness and response capacities. It will also introduce Forecast-based Financing to facilitate the shift from traditional reactive responses to pre-event early action.
Programme Result 4:
Enhanced regional knowledge management and cooperation for climate services and MHEWS. This will optimise synergies among the Programme countries; establish an interactive ICT platform and harmonised data management; institute joint learning and training though WMO and other training centres; and foster networking and mentoring in support of Programme implementation.
The Programme will be executed by five national Executing Entities (EE) designated by the Government in each country. The national EE for Tuvalu is the Climate Change Department (CCD) in the Ministry of Finance. The EE is working closely with the Tuvalu Meteorological Service (TMS) in which the Project Management Team (PMT) will be stationed. The PMT will be accountable to UN Environment Programme (UNEP) for Programme execution in Tuvalu,
and for the effective and efficient use of resources. In addition, UNEP will undertake limited EE functions through its Sub-regional Office for the Pacific, including in the context of Programme Result 4 focusing on regional knowledge management and cooperation. Consultants and Technical Partners will be contracted to undertake relevant activities as appropriate.
Technical Partners will include the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the Pacific Community (SPC), Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), New Zealand National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), the U.S. Nationa Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the International Federation of Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), University of Hawai’i (UH), East-West Center (EWC) and APEC Climate Centre (APCC), with technical advice from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
UNEP is the Accredited Entity (AE) to the donor, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and will be responsible for overseeing the implementation, financial management, evaluation, reporting and closure of activities under the Programme. UNEP will ensure that the Programme is implemented according to the policies and guidelines of UNEP and the GCF.
The Programme will be implemented across 5 years beginning 13 September 2021 or the date of effectiveness of the Funded Activity Agreement between the GCF and UNEP.

3. KEY DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:
The National Finance Officer (NFO) has the following key duties and responsibilities:
• Assist the National Project Implementation Coordinator (NPIC) in performing budget cycle: planning, preparation, revisions and budget execution;
• Assist in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of Niue Meteorological Service budgeting and financial management for the co-finance component;
• Support implementation of a climate services market assessment in consultation with key sectors and business segments;

• Support development of a national policy for financing climate services in consultation with relevant national stakeholders;
• Assist partner agencies involved in project activities, performing and monitoring financial aspects to ensure compliance with budgeted costs in line with UNEP and Government of Tuvalu (GoT) policies and procedures;
• Monitor programme expenditures, ensuring that no expenditure is incurred before it has been authorised;
• Assist Programme team in drafting quarterly and yearly project progress reports
concerning financial issues;
• Ensure that UNEP and GoT procurement rules are followed during procurement activities
that are carried out by the Programme and maintain responsibility for the inventory of the
Programme assets;
• Advise on better policy and regulation to improve financial activities with relevant to budget spending on climate services;
• Perform preparatory work for mandatory and general budget revisions, annual physical inventory and auditing, and assist external evaluators in fulfilling their mission;
• Ensure the Programme utilises the available financial resources in an efficient and transparent manner;
• Ensure that all programme financial activities are carried out on schedule and within budget to achieve the Programme outputs;
• Coordinate all logistical arrangements for workshops, training programs, programme stakeholder meetings and consultant visits from time to time;
• Ensure that all programme documents are filed in a simple and secure filing system;
• Keep full detailed Asset Register for all assets purchased with programme finances, either with the Project Management Team;
• Assist in drafting cabinet papers for any programme matters, including research an compilation of reports as required;
• Assist in resource mobilisation to develop climate services using a value-chain approach;
• Assist in any other programme related tasks as required.

4. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGMENT
The National Finance Officer (NFO) will work under the direct supervision of the National Project Implementation Coordinator and the Executing Entity - Climate Change Department, while maintaining an active collaboration with the Project Management Team and the Director of TMS, including project partners and the PMU based at UNEP.
The NFO will be physically station at the CCD Office.
The NFO may be asked to report from to time to time to the Director of TMS where needed.
The official communication protocol for the Project Team will be provided to the project partners and the PMU based at UNEP.

5. DURATION OF WORK
The services of the National Finance Officer will be requested for 5 years.

6. DUTY STATION
The National Finance Officer will be housed at the CCD office in Funafuti, Tuvalu.

7. MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee ideally should have:
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business, public administration, or closely related field.
• Minimum 5 years practical experience in administrative functions and financial
management of projects.
• Experience in working with a wide range of stakeholders (government, private sector, etc.)
• Experience in national/public budget and planning processes is an asset
• Demonstrated initiative in carrying out his/her duties and ability to work independently to tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, regulations, and policies and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
• Ability to support financial analysis, budget analysis, financial reporting, budgeting, financial planning and financial performance monitoring
• Knowledge of the Tuvalu’s Climate Change policy and priorities will be a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Tuvaluan and English.
• Excellent computer skills as well as analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• Demonstrated commitment to the GoT mission, vision and values as stipulated in the Te Kete.
• Displays cultural, gender, religious, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Able to share knowledge and experience in a simple and clear manner.
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities, including positive responses to feedback.• Good inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, and ability to maintain composure and professionalism even under pressure.
• Consistently approaches work with positive energy and a constructive attitude