Accountant IV, GCCA - OECS Secretariat
ORGANISATION OF EASTERN CARIBBEAN STATES (OECS)
Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) Project on Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Land Management in the Eastern Caribbean
TERMS OF REFERENCE
accountant iv
the organisation of eastern caribbean states (oecs) has received financing from the european union (eu) acting through the european commission for a global climate change alliance (gcca) project on climate change adaptation and sustainable land management in the eastern caribbean.
1. Program Purpose
The program aims at rising above the multiple constraints that have so far prevented the region from setting up appropriate institutional mechanisms and developing a sufficiently comprehensive, cohesive and integrated planning framework capable of effectively mainstreaming climate change in the region’s land development policies.
The purpose of the program is to improve the region’s natural resource base resilience to the impacts of climate change through the following two components: (A) Effective and sustainable land management frameworks and practices; and (B) Specific physical adaptation pilot projects in relevant areas and sectors.
2. Background
Like most Small Island developing States (SIDS), the environment of OECS Member States is characterized by, and faces challenges originating from their small size: small open economies, limited infrastructure, and high vulnerability to natural disasters. These unique characteristics, in association with multiple drivers and root causes such as prevailing land tenure systems, fragile soil types, physiographic and climate variation, limit the land area available for development, creating intense competition between the land use options including urban settlement, agriculture, tourism and infrastructure. These challenges are exacerbated by the projected impacts of global climate change which combine to erode the ability of Member States to meet their development aspirations sustainably.
In its Fourth Assessment report, the intergovernmental panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reaffirmed earlier predictions that sea level rise from climate change is expected to exacerbate inundation, storm surge, erosion and other coastal hazards, thus threatening vital infrastructure, settlements and facilities that support the livelihoods of communities in Small Island States (SIS).
OECS Member States have long acknowledged that their development must be predicated on individual efforts pursued within the context of regional unity, solidarity and cooperation in wide ranging areas, including environmental protection and sustainable development. To this end, the Revised treaty of Basseterre, requires, under Article 24, that each protocol Member State shall implement the St. George’s Declaration of Principles for Environmental Sustainability which seeks to, inter-alia, build the capacity of Member States and regional institutions to guide and support processes of sustainable development, achieve the long-term protection and sustained productivity of the region’s natural resource base and the ecosystem services it provides, and ensure that natural resources contribute optimally and equitably to economic, social and cultural development.
One recurring national level constraint to sustainable development, which is also cross cutting among OECS member states, relates to sustainable land management. This matter is the subject of several action plans, vulnerability assessments and regulations as well as investments in institutional and capacity development interventions. Notwithstanding this intention and effort, process has been slow, disjointed and incomplete, and when combined with weak institutional capacity and resource frameworks, the result is of a region willing but not having the capacity to meet national and global sustainable development targets.
The present project intends to overcome the aforementioned weaknesses by undertaking the subject of sustainable land management in a completely new fashion: via a comprehensive and integrated regional approach where the key beneficiary, the OECS Secretariat, will be appropriately supported and strengthened so as to effectively play the leading institutional role in legislation on environmental protection – including climate change – as enshrined in the Revised Treaty of Basseterre.
In addition, this project seeks to assist the OECS Secretariat in pursuing sub-regional interventions to help member States harmonize and move their sustainable development agendas forward. In this specific regard, the Secretariat has developed a Climate Change Project Dossier of Concepts which was endorsed by the OECS Environment Policy Committee (Ministers of Environment) at their 12thMeeting in Antigua and Barbuda in December 2008.
Considering the above, the is consistent with both the CARICOM agenda and OECS policies and priorities with respect to climate change adaptation and resonates well with the priority areas of the Global Climate Change Alliance.
3. Activity Description
Under Component A (Effective and sustainable land management frameworks and practices), the project is designed to realize four expected results:
A1 – Improved understanding of the region’s status in terms of institutional, technical and human capacity.
A2 – Enhanced sustainable land management (SLM) institutional, legal and regulatory frameworks at regional and national level.
A3 – Enhanced SLM human and technical capacity at regional and national level.
A4 – Improved public awareness on the risks, threats and opportunities arising from climate change at regional and national level.
Under component B, the main expected result is:
B1 - the implementation of Specific physical adaptation pilot projects in relevant areas and sectors.
The Project will affect the following nine countries of the OECS Region: Antigua and Barbuda; Dominica; Grenada; St. Kitts and Nevis;Saint Lucia; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Montserrat; Anguilla; and the British Virgin Islands.
4. Scope Of Services Required
PPT Accountant IV - GCCA Project on Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Land Management in the Eastern Caribbean
Objective - The Accountant will be responsible for the day to day management of the accounting function, preparation of Financial Reports and supervision of the Audit of the Protect and PTT.
The Duties and Responsibilities of the Project’s Accountant will include, inter alia:
(i) Possess a thorough understanding of the financial management, accounting, disbursements, procurement and auditing requirements pursuant to the rules and procedures set out in the EU’s practical guide to procedures for programmes estimates;
(ii) Participate in the operational and financial planning of the Project including the preparation of budgets, forecasts and compatible work plans, for the delivery of financial services;
(iii) Maintain overall responsibility for the day to day management of the accounting function and ensure that the financial management arrangements of the project as outlined in the Financial Agreement for the Project and the EU’s practical guide to procedures for programmes estimates are adhered to by the REGU;
(iv) Maintain project accounts using Peachtree integrated accounting software and set up so as to track inflows and outflows by funding source;
(v) Monitor expenditure against approved budget lines and advise the PTT Leader and Project Coordinator of any significant variances for initiation of appropriate action;
(vi) Process disbursements/advances to the various Accounts, ensure that proper accounts are kept, and ensure that all project bank accounts are reconciled on a timely basis, as these will form part of the external audits;
(vii) Conduct training where necessary in the participating countries in the EU’s financial procedures as they relate to the project, and perform periodic financial monitoring and supervision site visits in the countries;
(viii) Settle all payments to suppliers, consultants, service providers, contractors and grants promptly, ensuring that these are supported by proper documentation and are duly authorized;
(ix) Ensure that all inventory items and fixed assets are properly stored, secured, recorded and safeguarded, and are duly insured against loss or damage - A fixed assets register must also be maintained;
(x) Prepare monthly payroll and ensure that all provisions and related submissions are made;
(xi) Assist the Project Leader and Project Coordinator with all relevant reporting obligations pursuant to the rules and procedures set out in the EU’s practical guide to procedures for programmes estimates and relevant OECS documents;
(xii) Maintain a filing system for the financial records and other project related documents;
(xiii) Undertake other related assignments for the benefit and development of the Project as may be assigned by the PTT Leader or Project Coordinator.
(xiv) Prepare required financial information for reporting to the PTT monthly meeting and the bi-annual meeting of the Project Steering Committee (PSC).
(xv) Assist the PTT Leader with establishing and maintaining a financial monitoring system to the project, which will generate progress reports and safeguard internal control.
(xvi) Assist the PTT Leader with facilitating evaluations, external missions and bi-annual external audits by the European Commission, and with analyzing and implementing relevant conclusions and recommendation.
(xvii) The Senior Accountant may be required, from time to time, to undertake any such other duties as may be assigned in support of the implementation of the Project.
(i) Reports to the PTT Leader and functions as part of the Project Technical Team which falls under the purview of the Social and Sustainable Development Division (SSDD) of the OECS Secretariat.
(ii) Member of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and the Project Technical Team (PTT) operational structure.
(iii) Oversees the relevant general accounting support services provided by the Project Assistant.
(iv) Internal Contacts: Beneficiary OECS Member States; and OECS Secretariat Personnel - including Imprest Administrator and Accounting Officer, Functional Cooperation Programme Management Unit (FCPMU).
(v) External Contacts: European Commission Officials, Consultants, Contractors, Service Providers and Suppliers, Commercial Banks’ representatives and External Auditors and Evaluators.
The candidate is required to demonstrate the following qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:
(i) Internationally recognized accounting qualification (e.g. ACCA, CPA, etc.).
(ii) Direct experience of working with donor-financed (preferably European Union) projects.
(iii) Knowledge of government accounting procedures in OECS Member States would be an asset; preferably, direct working experience with government or international organizations.
(iv) Experience and skills in the Microsoft Suite of programmes (including MS Excel, MS Word). Knowledge of Peachtree® or similar computerized accounting software would be an asset.
(v) A minimum of five years direct experience in project management and working with donor-financed (preferably European Union) projects, including multi-country and multi-agency projects.
(vi) Knowledge of the public sector in OECS countries; preferably, direct working experience with government or regional/international organizations.
(vii) Ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team and to take initiative and to work with minimum supervision.
(viii) Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
The execution period for the project’s operational implementation phase is fixed at 60 months, with a subsequent closure phase of 24 months.
The duration of the PTT Accountant’s contract is for a period of two (2) years, subject to relevant terms and conditions, and with an option for a renewal to the end of project, subject to satisfactory performance.
5. APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Applications are to be submitted for the attention of: Human Resource Unit, Post of Accountant IV, Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) Project,OECS Secretariat, Morne Fortuné, P.O. Box 179, Castries, St. Lucia and should reach the Secretariat by the 4 September 2013. Applications should include Curriculum Vitae stating nationality as well as the contact information of the present or most recent employer and that of two referees. Certified copies of relevant certificates should be submitted with applications.
Applications can also be sent via e-mail to oesec@oecs.org. Only applications under consideration will be acknowledged.
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