Project Finance Assistant

Organizational Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency dedicated to achieving food security and promoting sustainable agrifood systems globally. Working in over 130 countries, FAO supports member nations in transforming their food and agriculture sectors for better production, nutrition, environment, and livelihoods. In the Philippines, FAO has a long-standing partnership with the government and local organizations, focusing on enhancing agricultural sustainability, productivity, and resilience. This specific role is part of the EU4Mindanao Action, a European Union initiative aimed at fostering peace and inclusive development in Mindanao.

Job Purpose

The Project Finance Assistant will provide essential financial operations support for the EU4Mindanao Action, ensuring the accurate and timely management of project resources. This role involves meticulous budget monitoring, processing financial transactions, preparing comprehensive financial reports, and ensuring strict adherence to both FAO's internal financial procedures and donor requirements. The objective is to maintain financial integrity and accountability, thereby contributing to the effective implementation of the project's goals in promoting resilient agrifood systems and sustainable development in Mindanao.

Responsibilities

The Project Finance Assistant will provide comprehensive administrative and financial support for the EU4Mindanao project. Key duties include maintaining accurate financial records of disbursements and receipts, preparing financial reports for various stakeholders, and assisting in budget monitoring by tracking expenditures against allocations. The role involves updating and filing administrative and financial information, preparing purchase requisitions, and facilitating the procurement process for local suppliers. Additionally, the assistant will process payments, manage operational cash advances, and ensure timely submission of HR-related documents for project staff. Responsibilities also extend to supporting project closure activities, maintaining an inventory of project assets, and ensuring compliance with donor visibility requirements, including the proper use of EU branding and communication guidelines across all project activities and partners.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of experience is required in providing administrative and financial/logistical support for project implementation at the field level. Demonstrated knowledge of financial risk management, accountability mechanisms, audit readiness, asset sustainability, and effective coordination with programme management and finance functions is essential.

Skills

The ideal candidate will possess strong results focus, teamwork, and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and share knowledge. Essential skills include the ability to work under pressure in a complex humanitarian context, adapt to evolving situations, and collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary and multicultural teams. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Tagalog are required, along with proficiency in standard office software such as MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

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