Field Facilitator (Finance & Accounts)

FAO Bangladesh assists the Government to formulate policies, programmes and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and utilize environmental and natural resources in a sustainable way. It contributes to the development of FAO’s field programme projects in the country and implements them in the sectors of food security, agriculture and rural development.

The project is implemented in the northern and southern regions of the country with financing from the GAFSP-MMI towards reducing poverty among the rural community. Stakeholders at the heart of this initiative are farmer organizations (FOs), mainly in Rangpur and Barisal Divisions, which have recently begun to develop into local institutions that assist members to increase their incomes. The project is scaling up successful initiatives promoting FOs that emerged from the GAFSP-financed Integrated Agricultural Productivity Project (IAPP). The project will initially work with about 6 000 farmer members from some 45 FO supported by the IAPP, which have a minimum level of organizational cohesion and competence achieved to date. The project will gradually include additional 4 000 non-IAPP farmers or 10 FOs over three years.

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh, working in close collaboration with the administrative and operations units in FAO Bangladesh and the Implementation Support Unit (ISU), the incumbent will report directly to the National Project Coordinator to the project implementation of the MMI project.

Technical Focus

• Expertise in field financial monitoring and training of farmers in bookkeeping and record management.

• Review and check the accuracy of the Monthly/Quarterly Financial Reports prepared and submitted by the FOs.
• Verify the back-up supporting documents to ensure accuracy of the reports. Cross check the report results with the books of accounts of the FOs as appropriate.
• Review the LoA Budget to Actual Expenditure Statement, note deviations (if any) from the approved LoA budget, ask clarifications, and report to the ISU.
• Review the FO fund request as per the LoA before submission to accounts for Fund release and adjustment of previous advance if any.
• Coordination with the project and FOs during each quarter/reporting period as stated in the letter of agreements and as when required by FAO for report certification.
• Ensure physical verification of inventory items purchased under the LoA and relevant expenditure as applicable
• Review the FO procurement process, review procurement documents during the field financial monitoring visits.
• The incumbent will also visit the vendors, beneficiaries, stakeholders and project sites as deem appropriate for expenses certification.
• Vouch for anomalies, non-compliances and internal control weakness on practices, procedures, documentations and bookkeeping
• Provide clarification and recommendations and on the job training to the FO for corrective action and to improve on record keeping, financial reporting and general administrative procedures
• Visit each assigned FO at least once in two months to accomplish the above stated functions.
• The incumbent will assist Administrative and Finance Officer and the National Project Coordinator in the coordination of the field activities of the Farmer Organizations.
• Calculate and identify receivables and payables balances pertinent to LoA while closing the periodical (monthly, quarterly, yearly) and during closing phases
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor degree in commerce preferably in Finance / Accounting with 3 three years relevant experience or CA course completed with 2 years relevant working experience.
• Possession of valid Motor Cycle riding license is desirable.
• National of Bangladesh

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Ability to work under pressure in an independent manner within a project team and to mentor the
development of the people working with him/her
• Ability to communicate in a credible and effective manner
• Skills in advocacy, tact and versatility and a high degree of discretion and integrity
• Fluency in spoken and written Bengali & English Language
• Skills on training / coaching on financial aspects
• Experience on budgeting and financial report preparation
• Computer skills (word processing, Spreadsheet) are essential.
• Knowledge on finance and administrative policy policies.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.