Administrative and Financial Support Assistant

Successful execution and delivery of project and programme activities of the Nature and Market-Based Solutions Section’s portfolio.

Nairobi, Kenya

6 months

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. As part of the UN-REDD Programme jointly implemented by UNEP, UNDP and FAO, UNEP has engaged in increasing commitments and ambition worldwide in the response to the climate crisis through forest protection and restoration. The UN-REDD programme plays a pivotal role to deliver on this ambition. In this regard, UN-REDD aims to achieve four outcomes and three cross-cutting elements: Outcome 1: Demonstrating high integrity REDD+ results Outcome 2. Unlocking finance for REDD+ results Outcome 3. Enhancing climate ambition (NDC) Outcome 4. Forest sector policy and governance changes supported Cross-cutting elements: Accelerating transformation through Social inclusion and gender equality, Knowledge generation and Management, and Convening, advocacy, and communication. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), under the UN-REDD Programme, is providing technical assistance to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Zambia and Cote d’Ivoire on safeguards, finance and carbon markets and knowledge management and communications to assist governments in Africa in optimizing their country-level decisions concerning their engagements with forest carbon markets to access REDD+ Results-Based Finance (RBF). In addition to technical assistance, UNEP also implements projects in Africa, namely the SDC-funded Social Forestry project in Zambia and Kenya. The engagement of an individual contractor is important to provide administrative and financial support to the Climate Change Division and specifically to UN-REDD Africa team. The Individual Contractor’s primary responsibilities will involve assisting in the preparation of legal agreements, including Small-Scale Funding Agreements (SSFA) or Project Cooperation Agreements (PCA), Travel Support, UNEP consultant contracts, Portfolio budget monitoring, collaborating closely with the Regional Coordinator and implementing partners, validating expenditure statements, and reviewing progress reports. Under the overall supervision of the UN-REDD Regional Coordinator based in Nairobi at UNEP Climate Change Division, with day to day guidance from the UN-REDD Administrative and Operations Lead, the Individual Contractor will: a) Assist the Regional Coordinator in the preparation and tracking of legal agreements, working in conjunction with implementing partners to ensure compliance with UN rules and regulations. This includes reviewing and rectifying legal instruments before submission for FMO approval, requesting reference numbers, iNeed requests for BP numbers, and banking details, etc. b) Participate with UNEP UN-REDD Administrative Officer in the coordination of programme/project planning and preparation; monitor the status of programme/project proposals; takes necessary action to ensure project financial documents are completed and submitted to relevant parties for approval. c) Participate in and follow-up on actions related to the administration of human resource activities, e.g., recruitment of staff and individual contractors, placement, the extension of contracts, job classification reviews, separation of staff members, training etc., ensuring consistency in the application of UN rules and procedures; process personnel actions in the UN SAP-based ERP system (Umoja) to reflect staff movements. d) Support in organizing meetings/events, including providing technical support for virtual/hybrid meetings as needed. Also support logistics for meetings and other events, liaising with security and registering participants if needed. e) Manage travel requests for meeting participants, staff and consultants, which involves preparing travel approval requests, ensuring the timely disbursement of all entitled allowances, and ensuring the prompt recording of travel expense reports. This also encompasses overseeing the procurement process for DSA cash cards. f) Contribute to the proper processing and filing of all legal obligations, such as expenditure, progress, final reports, and audit statements. Additionally, the IC will prepare payment requests for further administrative processes. g) Undertake any other necessary administrative duties, including meeting organization and draft minute preparation.

Education: • Completion of High school diploma or equivalent is required. • A first-level university degree in finance, accounting, business or public administration, or related field is desirable. Experience: • A minimum of five (5) years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, administrative services, audit, or related area is required. • Experience in the United Nations or other international organizations is an advantage. • Proficiency in computer skills, including Excel and the MS Office suite. • Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to effectively collaborate within a team in a fast-paced environment. Skills: • Proficiency in effective planning and organization, strong oral and written communication skills, capability to manage multiple tasks in an orderly and punctual manner, and a keen eye for detail. • Aptitude to cultivate and sustain positive working relationships within a multicultural and geographically dispersed team that collaborates across various functions.

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in oral and written English is required. • Knowledge of another UN language is highly desirable. French is an advantage.

Not available.