Organizational Setting
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) established under the provisions of Article XIV of the FAO Constitution. The main objective of the GFCM is to promote the development, conservation, rational management and best utilization of living marine resources as well as the sustainable development of aquaculture in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
To this end, the GFCM adopts binding recommendations and other resolutions and ensures these decisions are implemented. The GFCM decision-making process is based on the work of several subsidiary bodies, which lead advisory processes that start inter alia with systematic and continuous data collection and monitoring at country level and culminate in the formulation of management and conservation measures. In line with its mandate and main strategic priorities agreed by its contracting parties, with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14 and the FAO Four Betters, the GFCM focuses on i) Fisheries and ecosystems: healthy seas and productive fisheries; ii) Compliance and enforcement: a level playing field to eradicate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; iii) Aquaculture: a sustainable and resilient sector growing to its full potential; iv) Livelihoods: decent employment and engaged fishers towards profitable fisheries; and v) Capacity development: technical cooperation, knowledge sharing and efficient partnerships in a subregional perspective.
To support these endeavors, the GFCM Secretariat Programme and Liaison Team is inter alia responsible for financial and operational monitoring as well as budget and resources management in the context of GFCMโs project-cycle management work, which includes project formulation and appraisal, the monitoring of and reporting on the GFCM projects portfolio and related closures.
The position is located at the GFCM headquarters in Palazzo Blumenstihl (Via Vittoria Colonna, 1 - 00193, Rome, Italy) or home-based. The assignment can be from 1 up to 11 months. The possibility of extension is subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the resources and needs of the Organization.
Reporting lines
The Programme Specialist reports to the GFCM Finance and Project-Cycle Officer, in close coordination with relevant staff of the GFCM Secretariat and of the GFCM Programme and Liaison team in particular.
Technical focus
The Programme Specialist contributes to the planning, monitoring and reporting of GFCM financial operations, supporting the effective use of both budgetary and extra-budgetary resources entrusted to the GFCM by its Contracting Parties, Cooperating non-Contracting Parties and partners. The incumbent provides support across different phases of the project cycle, particularly by assisting in the formulation of advice to GFCM technical teams and managers on financial, operational and project implementation related matters, towards the effective management of the GFCM project portfolio.
Tasks and responsibilities
โข ย ย Support planning, monitoring and reporting exercises conducted for core and ad-hoc activities of the GFCM project portfolio to strengthen the overall financial management of GFCM budgetary and extra-budgetary resources;
โข ย ย Support the development and review of multi-year project financial proposals and budgets, ensuring compliance with internal policies and external donor requirements;
โข ย ย Support resource planning exercises ensuring the timely and accurate collection of financial and operational inputs from a variety of sources, in close coordination with technical backstopping teams and managers;
โข ย ย Follow up internal clearance processes with relevant FAO units/divisions (inter alia, CSFE, PSR) and collaborate in drafting background supporting documentation of various kinds;
โข ย ย Assist in the preparation of financial monitoring tools and ad-hoc budgetary reports to track budget execution and expenditure trends (including forecasts), ensuring collection of timely and accurate data to support effective project-related decision-making. Ensure dissemination and readability of such tools to relevant staff members;ย
โข ย ย Regularly review and update project monitoring tools and other existing management documents, ensuring consistency of the financial information collected across all funding sources;
โข ย ย Contribute to the identification of financial risks and proposal of corrective measures by analysing budget performance and supporting the development of advice on mitigation strategies;
โข ย ย Collaborate in the drafting of project progress reports, management reports and/or reports to donors as well as specific reports for GFCM statutory bodies, in compliance with established FAO procedures and in line with the contractual obligations foreseen under existing funding agreements with selected donors;
โข ย ย Support the maintenance of corporate ERP systems (e.g. iMIS, FPMIS). Perform regular financial reconciliations using ERP systems to ensure alignment between project records, expenditures, and corporate financial data including, among others, budget revisions, annual equalizations and transfers of budgets to FAO decentralized offices (i.e. field budget authorizations)
โข ย ย Provide support in the execution of general ledger functions and cash-flow management activities. Assist in identifying errors and discrepancies and in reconciling transactions through accounting adjustments and other ancillary activities, also by liaising with relevant FAO offices, ensuring timely resolution of related service requests.
โข ย ย Support the maintenance of up-to-date records for assigned project activities in compliance with FAO and donor-specific recordkeeping practices, also by developing dedicated internal repositories, datasets and checklists, including to support eventual audit campaigns;
โข ย ย Perform any other related duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
โข ย ย Relevant technical degree or certificate (for Subscribers) or advanced degree (for Consultants) in business administration, project management, finance, accounting, economics or any other related field relevant to the Organization;
โข ย ย At least one year of relevant experience in planning and budgeting, financial monitoring and reporting and/or support to programme and project management activities;ย
โข ย ย Working knowledge (level C) of English.ย
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย Communication
โข ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
โข ย ย Demonstrated experience in financial monitoring and reporting for projects;
โข ย ย Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite, particularly Microsoft Excel;
โข ย ย Knowledge of ERP systems and financial reporting tools;
Selection Criteria
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in project financial monitoring and reporting;
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in supporting programme and project management activities;
โข ย ย Level of knowledge of ERP systems and financial reporting tools;
โข ย ย Proficiency in Microsoft Excel;
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in a similar position;
โข ย ย Working knowledge (level C) or intermediate knowledge (level B) of Arabic, French or Spanish is an asset.