Project Finance Assistant

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices

(i) advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;

(i) provide technical assistance and deliver core services;

(iii) assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;

(iv) position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and

(v) ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

For more than four decades, FAO has been working with the Government of the Philippines, civil society, community-based organizations, the academe and the private sector to address challenges in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. Joint efforts have included increasing sustainability in agricultural production, promoting value-adding practices, mechanization and modernization through improving post-harvest management, enhancing productivity and increasing the resilience of agriculture-based livelihoods to natural disasters, climatic hazards and armed conflict.

The position is located in Davao City, Philippines.

This position is funded under the "European Union Support for Resilient Mindanao" (EU4Mindanao) Action which is part of the European Union’s long-term support to building lasting peace and promoting inclusive development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Mindanao as a whole.

With the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) as the Overall Government Partner, EU4Mindanao is jointly implemented by the United Nations Development Organization (UNIDO), as lead agency and Administrative Agent, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The Action focuses on localizing a quadruple humanitarian, peace, climate and development (HPCD) nexus approach in communities that face multi-faceted and interlocking vulnerabilities. These communities are composed of Indigenous Peoples (IPs), Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and those at risk of displacement, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), women and girls, and youth in Mindanao, particularly in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) and in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Despite recent efforts to address persistent challenges in GIDAs and to advance the Bangsamoro peace process, these groups have not fully benefited from the resulting peace dividend due to persistent conflict, exposure to multiple hazards, longstanding discrimination, shortcomings in legal frameworks, and other sources of instability.

The Impact (overall Objective) Of The Action Is To Foster An Enabling Environment For Sustainable Peace And Development In Mindanao. Two Specific Objectives/Outcomes Have Been Formulated

Outcome 1: Local communities' resiliency is increased.

Outcome 2: Local value chains and value addition, fair production and economic opportunities for target communities are strengthened.

While both Outcomes aim to increase local productive capacities, they will respectively focus on agriculture (Outcome 1, FAO) and processing/agro-industry (Outcome 2, UNIDO). To operationalize the HPCD nexus, the human security approach and conflict-sensitive programming will be applied across both Outcomes, ensuring programmatic coherence and cost-effectiveness that maximize lasting impact. The Action is aligned with the 2024-2028 United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), the EU Multi-annual Indicative Programme (MIP) for the Philippines (2021-2027), and the Mindanao Agenda 2023-2028 of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).

Reporting Lines

The Finance Assistant will report to the Assistant FAOR Representative for Administration.

Technical Focus

The finance assistant will cover financial operations support, including budget monitoring, transaction processing, financial reporting, and compliance with organizational and donor financial procedures to ensure accurate and timely financial management of project resources.

Tasks And Responsibilities

• Provide overall administrative support to UNJP /PHI/088/EC;
• Assist in office administration and maintain up-to-date and accurate financial records of all disbursements and receipts related to the Representation and projects, and use these records as a basis for preparing financial reports for use by the FAOR, RAP, donor, Government, and other partners;
• Assist in monitoring the project budget, tracking expenditures and commitments against approved allocations. Review Project Status Reports and Transaction Listings in iMIS, in collaboration with the FAO team, based on approved annual work plans and projected future project activities.
• Update and maintain electronic and paper filing of relevant administrative and financial information; assist in the preparation of budget revisions.
• Prepare purchase requisitions in consultation with the Project Team, source information for potential local suppliers, facilitate arrangements for inspection and delivery of inputs and supplies, and ensure the timeliness of delivery of all required inputs;
• Submit payment requests for very low value procurement, reimbursements.
• Process payments in accordance with prescribed guidelines for disbursement of Operational Cash Advances (OCA) and Outposted Petty Cash (OPC);
• Ensure timely submission of human resource-related employment requirements for project staff (timesheets, contracts, QARs and other related documents);
• Provide support in project closure;
• Establish and maintain an inventory of all project properties (equipment, furniture, fixtures, other attractive items and supplies);
• Carry out any other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as may be requested by the FAO Representative.
• Ensure compliance with donor visibility requirements and proper implementation of the project’s communication and visibility activities across teams and actions, including in line with the European Commission’s “Use of the EU emblem in the context of EU programmes 2021–2027” and “Communicating and raising EU visibility – Guidance for external actions” (July 2022). Ensures that all teams, consultants, grantees and implementing partners comply with relevant visibility requirements.
  
  

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in accountancy, finance, business administration, management, commerce, economics or other related discipline relevant to the assignment;
• At least five (5) years of experience in providing administrative and financial/logistical support to project implementation at the field level, with demonstrated knowledge of financial risk management, accountability mechanisms, audit readiness, asset sustainability, and effective coordination with programme management and finance functions.
• A national of Philippines.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and Filipino
  
  

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to an evolving and complex humanitarian context and within multidisciplinary and different cultural background teams
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Tagalog
• General knowledge and skills in the use of standard software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)
  
  

Additional Information

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
  
  

Job Posting

14/Jul/2026

Closure Date

28/Jul/2026, 11:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit

FAPHI - FAO Representation in The Philippines

Job Type

Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition

NPP (National Project Personnel)

Grade Level

N/A

Primary Location

Philippines-Davao City

Duration

12 months (with initial 3 months probationary period)

Post Number

N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
  
  

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

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