Job Opportunity at RIMES
About RIMES
The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES) is an international and intergovernmental institution that is owned and managed by its 48 Member and Collaborating States for building capacities in the generation and application of user-relevant multi-hazard early warning information. RIMES was established on 30 April 2009 through the signing by collaborating countries of the RIMES regional cooperation agreement. RIMES was registered with the United Nations under Article 102 of the UN Charter on 1 July 2009. RIMES operates from its regional early warning center, located at the campus of the Asian Institute of Technology in Pathumthani, Thailand.
RIMES’ purpose is to provide early warning services according to differing needs and demands of its Member States, for enhanced preparedness and response to and mitigation of natural hazards.
Its specific objectives are:
a. Facilitate the establishment and maintenance of core regional observing and monitoring networks to ensure data availability for early warning;
b. Provide earthquake and tsunami services within the framework of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (IOC-UNESCO);
c. Support National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) for providing localized hydro-meteorological risk information within the framework of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO); and
d. Enhance warning response capacities at all levels (national to community) within each national early warning framework.
RIMES provides a portfolio of options for Member States to avail from or contribute to any of these objectives.
Background
Socio-economic impacts of climate-related hazards in South Asian countries continue to threaten the countries’ economic growth, particularly in key sectors such as agriculture, water, and infrastructure. During the 16 th Summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in 2010, these countries collectively resolved to strengthen climate resilience. The Climate Adaptation and Resilience for South Asia (CARE) Project aims to contribute in translating this policy into actions through enhanced regional cooperation and knowledge on climate resilience and adaptation, and development of standards and guidelines to facilitate climate-resilient planning and investments.
The Project’s Development Objective is to create an enabling environment for climate-resilient policies and investments across South Asia, with the following indicators:
- Increased access to regional climate data and analytics for climate-informed decision-making;
- National-level decision-making and planning that are better climate risk-informed;
- Regional climate resilience guidelines incorporated into national standards;
- Sectoral investments supported to include climate risks and resilient design; and
- Institutional capacities strengthened to undertake climate-informed policies and planning.
The project has three components, for implementation over 5 years:
- Promoting evidence-based climate-smart decision-making, to enhance access to data required for risk-informed planning and investments;
- Enabling climate-resilient policies and standards for development, to enhance transformation of
policies and capacities for climate resilience and adaptation across South Asia; and - Project management and implementation support.
Component 1 shall be implemented by RIMES. This component involves the creation of a regional resilience data and analytics service (RDAS) platform and decision-support systems (DSSs) for selected sectors of agriculture, water, road transport, planning and finance in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan. Component 1 also includes capacity development of users of these systems and their products. The RDAS is a cloud-based open-access platform for acquiring, storing, managing, processing, analyzing, visualizing, and reporting data, for use in screening climate risks to inform investments. The DSSs are
sector-specific systems, linked to the RDAS, and used to assist users in sectoral planning and decision-making.
Component 3 is jointly implemented by RIMES and ADPC. Under this Component, RIMES is establishing a Project Implementation Unit, which includes a Finance Management Specialist.
Objective
The Finance Management Specialist will report directly to the HRAF Manager and to the CARE Project Director basically to comply with the the CARE Project reporting requirement. S/he is responsible for project budget preparation, execution, monitoring, analysis, and control, and financial reporting.
Scope of Work
The Finance Management Specialist shall be responsible for the following:
Finance Management
- Develop CARE project’s accounting system and manual, in collaboration with the Project Accountant.
- Select and maintain the most appropriate accounting software for CARE project.
- Set up and train project staff on CARE project’s financial management procedures.
- Ensure that the project’s financial management system, including project records and accounts, are maintained in accordance with relevant World Bank guidelines and regulations, as well as with generally accepted accounting principles and practices.
Budgeting and Planning
- Prepare annual budget and cash plan based on the annual work plan.
- Ensure that expenditures are within the project budget.
- Analyze operational activities, including historical, current, and projected revenue and expense, cash flow, variances, and costs.
- Review financial statements, including monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.
- Analyze financial performance against targets, identify deviations, and inform the Project Director for necessary action.
- Perform budget reconciliations and amendments.
Fund Management
- Prepare annual and quarterly disbursement forecasts as well as cash forecasts, and ensure cash flow.
- Prepare and process Statement of Expenditure (SOE) withdrawal application in accordance with World Bank’s Disbursement Guidelines.
- Track funds and coordinate with World Bank to ensure timely credit of funds into RIMES’ CARE Project account.
Expenditure/Payment Processing
- Ensure compliance with RIMES’ financial framework and CARE Project specific requirements (e.g. Operations Manual, SOPs and the World Bank’s fiduciary guidelines etc.), rules and procedures while processing payments.
- Maintain internal control procedures for collecting, checking, and preparing documentation required for verifying invoices/ payment requests
- Apply pre-audit checks on all payments before payment from the assignment accounts including budget availability, the sanction of competent authority and compliance with applicable financial rules & regulations.
- Manage financial aspects of the contracts under implementation, including payment terms, purchase orders and variation orders.
Financial Reporting and Audit
- Prepare quarterly financial summaries, annual financial statements and any periodic financial report required for the CARE Project.
- Ensure that financial records are archived regularly.
- Arrange for timely initiation and completion of independent annual audits of the project.
- Cooperate with World Bank finance management supervision missions, and follow up on recommendations.
Qualifications
Academic
- An internationally recognized professional accounting qualification (ACCA/CA/CPA) OR an advanced degree (16 years of education) – Master’s or equivalent -in a discipline related to Finance.
Experience
- At least 7 years of experience in financial management, audit, or accounts.
- Experience with a development organization or a donor funded project would be preferred.
- At least 3 years of experience with one of the international accounting firms before or after acquiring stipulated qualification.
- Experience with automated general ledger systems.
Skills and abilities
- Ability to effectively communicate financial information to non-financial managers.
- Ability to analyze, evaluate, and summarize financial records for accuracy and conformity to procedures, rules, and regulations.
- Strong analytical, presentation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel.
- Proficiency in spoken and written English language
Personal qualities
- Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results.
- Persistent when faced with challenges.
- Takes ownership of all responsibilities of the position
Contract Duration
The contract duration will be for 1 years subject to a 6-month probationary period, and annual performance review.
RIMES promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Well-qualified candidates particularly females are encouraged to apply.