Individual Consultant - Finance (Junior) for Indian Nationals only

Background

Indian producers face several challenges to secure their household’s income, food provision while making an important economic contribution for the country. And one reason for the rising farm distress is crop failures and yield losses triggered by the vagaries of climate. The livelihood of a large proportion of India’s population—as the largest private enterprise with ~138 million farm families with an 18% contribution to national GDP—is at risk.   Any shock on agricultural production already has social and financial repercussions for both the population and the country as a whole; it impacts rural income levels, Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and, in the worst years, poverty rates.

The redesigned schemes RKVY- RAFTAAR "Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation", aims at making farming a remunerative economic activity through strengthening the farmers efforts, risk mitigation and promoting agri-business entrepreneurship. In the states, Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment operates RKVY-RAFTAAR where the State Government prepares projects as per guidelines RKVY- RAFTAAR issued by the Government of India.

The Country Programme Document (2018-2022) of United Nations Development Program’s (UNDP) approved by the Government of India has defined one of its foremost programme priorities and outcomes as 

“Institutional and systems strengthening for service delivery” as the single most innovations to achieve last mile developmental impact. UNDP has set up the Technical Support Unit for the implementation of RKVY, at MOA&FW  to improve institutional and programme responsiveness, increase coverage and better access among the marginalised and excluded farm households for the rural population in Odisha.

Under this project UNDP is planning  to provide a technical support to the state government of Odisha, for which UNDP is planning to hire an Individual Consultant to provide technical support to Department of Agriculture, Government of Odisha in strengthening the RKVY across the State.

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of Key Functions: As Consultant (Finance), the person will be responsible for supporting the Senior consultant and the Director (RKVY), Agriculture department and  identifying areas for improvement.

The Consultant (Finance), will be based at Bhubaneswar and shall work under the guidance and supervision of the Director, Agriculture.  The Consultant (Finance), is responsible for: -

• Facilitate preparation of the annual work plan and budget;
• Ensure strategic resource management, including planning and tracking of available resources & monitoring of expenditure as per approved project work plan & budget;
• Maintain financial records and monitor systems to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, payments, statements and other data for day-to day transactions and reports;
• Process payment requests from implementing agencies;
• Collate and process financial reports from district offices into project wise quarterly financial reports against project advances.
• Review and reconciliation of the various MIS reports;
• Assist in monitoring of relevant financial transaction from the government perspective as per the stipulated regulations with regard to audit and other statutory requirements;
• Coordinate with operational staff in different hubs on financial systems, queries, reports, schedules, etc.;
• Revise budget to indicate requirements under appropriate heads of expenditure.
• Assist in financial review and analyses of the financial utilization report received from Districts;
• Assist in maintenance of relevant financial records required for review by the government auditors;
• Assist in preparation of audit compliance/ follow-up reports as and when required;
• Follow up and maintain status on Monitoring and Closing of projects Earmark funds for various districts under appropriate heads for utilization
• Any other tasks assigned by the State Project Director and Senior Consultant

Other tasks

Perform any other tasks consistent with the level of the post and/ or assigned by the Reporting Officer; Director Agriculture/ Senior Consultant (RKVY).

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the organisation

Functional Competencies:

Job Knowledge/ Technical skills

• Sound knowledge and experience in the field of Agriculture empowerment
• Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and requirements of the post with excellence;
• Possesses the capacity for strategic planning, result – based management and reporting;

Communication Skills

• Good communication skills
• Tailors and presents information to diverse audiences using a variety of communication delivery methods (e.g., written, electronic, oral, interpersonal) Documentation 
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;

Management skills

• Demonstrated skills connecting with a wide range of stakeholders,
• Ability to participate and contribute consultative meetings at national and state level with partners and senior stakeholders to identify priorities and manage the timely delivery of project activities.
• Reliable in delivering own parts of the work as part of a team effort 
• Demonstrates excellent work/project planning skills;
• Is open to change and ability to manage complex, ever-changing environments;

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's degree from a recognized University in commerce or Mathematics from a recognized University. A degree in master's in Business Administration will be desirable though not essential.

Essential

• Five years' experience in handling government accounts/ development projects at the State/National level in a reputed organization. 

Desirable

• Experience of working with State Governments/ international agencies/ on similar assignments will be preferred. 

Language Requirements:

• Excellent oral and writing skills in English and Odia

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as Responsive to the requirement. Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted education and interview criteria specific to the solicitation.

• Educational and Experience Criteria weight - 40%;
• Interview Criteria weight – 60 %

Educational and Experience Criteria (40% of total evaluation)

1. Education qualification as per TOR-10%
2. Additional education qualifications relevant to Budgeting and Financial Management -10%
3. At least 05 years of experience in handling government accounts, Financial Management, budgeting / development projects related to agriculture at the State/National level in a reputed organization- 10%
4. Experience working with the Central and/or State Government/International Organisations/NGOs - 10 %

Interview Criteria: (60% of the total evaluation) based on the competency skill for tasks specified in this announcement

Deliverables and Schedule of Payment:

Monthly payment (Rs. 47,875/- per month (inclusive of insurance)) on submission of time sheet and monthly reports of work done duly certified by the reporting officer

Documents to be submitted by Consultants -

1. Offerors Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) Assignment http://www.in.undp.org/content/dam/india/docs/careers/PSU_%20Individual%20Contract_Offerors-Letter-UNDP.pdf 
2. Updated CV
3. Health and Life insurance Policy covering  Accidental, Term life etc. (required at the time of Joining)

Note:

1. Any kind of miscellaneous charges i.e. internet, phone, relocation charges etc. will not be reimbursed;
2. Travel, lodging and boarding as per Government rules subject to prior approval 

Please apply online by visiting www.in.undp.org (Careers)

General Conditions for Individual Contract -

http://www.in.undp.org/content/dam/india /docs/procurement/UNDP%20General%20Conditions%20for%20Individual%20Contracts.pdf

UNDP strives to have a workforce which reflects diversity and gender balance, and applies an equal opportunities approach. Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. All selections are on merit.