Reports To Unit Manager Pacific and Development Group Business and Financial Support

Transcription

1 POSITION DESCRIPTION Position Title Finance and Accounting Advisor New Zealand Aid Programme Reports To Unit Manager Pacific and Development Group Business and Financial Support Group Services Group Date Created/Updated January 2019 About the Ministry The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the Ministry) acts in the world to make New Zealanders safer and more prosperous. We do this by building connections with and influencing other countries to advance New Zealand s interests and project New Zealand values. We provide advice to the Government on the implications for New Zealand of what is happening in the world. Our work contributes to New Zealanders wellbeing in the following ways: Kaitiakitanga: Generations of New Zealanders benefit from sustainable solutions to global and regional challenges; Prosperity: New Zealanders have better job opportunities and incomes from trade, investment and other international connections; Security: New Zealanders are able to live, do business, travel and communicate more safely at home and offshore; Influence: New Zealanders have confidence their country can influence others on issues that matter for them now and in the future. Our values are: Impact We achieve for New Zealand, everyday, everywhere Kotahitanga We draw strength from our diversity Courage We do the right thing Manaakitanga We honour and respect others

2 Diversity and Inclusion We aspire to be a workplace that values and utilises diverse and inclusive thinking, people and behaviours. This means that our staff reflect the diversity of New Zealand and the countries we work in, and that the contributions of staff with diverse backgrounds, experiences, skills and perspectives are valued and respected. About the Group The Services Group is responsible for providing a range of functions and services that enables all business groups to achieve their outcomes. Functions include Finance, Property, Procurement, Information Management, Security and Facilities and Business Services. Each of these areas provides a client focused, coordinated service to Wellington and offshore posts. About the Position The Ministry supports a range of flexible work options as the default setting for all positions. While this position sits within the Ministry s Finance Division the work of the position supports the Pacific and Development Group who deliver the NZ Aid Programme. The New Zealand Aid Programme delivers around $750 million of projects and activities per year. Around 60% of these projects are delivered in the Pacific. Finance Division requires a Finance and Accounting Advisor to support the Pacific and Development Group to deliver the NZ Aid Programme. This will include: Providing technical accounting advice to Pacific and Development Group staff Refreshing current - and - developing new financial policies and procedures for the NZ Aid Programme Ensuring the financial policies and procedures are understood by Pacific and Development Group staff through training development and delivery, and one on one advice and guidance Developing a deep knowledge of the NZ Aid Programme s Aid Management System and using that knowledge to help Pacific and Development Group staff use the system s financial functionality strategically and operationally Assisting the Ministry s Commercial and Legal teams with the financial elements of the commercial and legal arrangements of the NZ Aid Programme Undertaking financial due diligence on the commercial entities the NZ Aid Programme contracts with to deliver its activities Understanding the Better Business Case methodology and be able to apply it to assist Pacific and Development Group staff with financial cases Preparing the NZ Aid Programme monthly financial reporting for the governing groups of the Ministry and the preparation of year end reporting Assisting with process of budgeting and reforecasting process ODA expenditure Answering ad hoc often operational accounting, finance and system questions to ensure from the business Answering ODA financial PQ s, OIA s and other external financial questions Key Accountabilities The following key accountabilities of this role assist in delivering the Ministry s purpose. Financial Policies and Procedures Work with Manager to develop and maintain appropriate financial policies and procedures for the Ministry s non-departmental Vote ODA expenditure Develop and deliver training for PDG staff on the financial policies and procedures for the Ministry s non-departmental Vote ODA expenditure

3 Provide day-to-day advice to managers and staff on the financial policies and procedures for the Ministry s non-departmental Vote ODA expenditure Finance Reporting and Budgeting Preparation of monthly internal financial reporting for vote ODA non-departmental expenditure Liaise with Audit NZ on audit questions Contribute to narrative explanations of the vote ODA non-departmental variance explanations each month for external reporting Develop and deliver training for PDG staff on core financial principles and accounting standard to ensure that vote ODA non-departmental expenditure is accurately recorded per accounting standards. Assist with the Ministry s internal budget process [which includes providing an analysis of the result to governing group overseeing vote ODA non-departmental expenditure] for vote ODA non-departmental expenditure - currently a quarterly forecast update exercise Prepare Ad-hoc financial reports and analysis for internal and external stakeholders which includes preparing financial information for OIA s and PQ s Advice and Assistance Provide assistance to PDG staff on completing the financial tasks in the Ministry s Aid Management system (Enquire) Undertake financial due diligence on entities the Aid Programme proposes contracting with Review and provide advice on - the financial aspects of project tender responses and proposed contractual arrangements Provide assistance to PDG staff on completing elements of business cases (particularly the financial cases) Provide general financial and accounting assistance to PDG staffleadership Contribute to the division s delivery of its planned and agreed activity stream to realise its strategic priorities and high level outcomes Demonstrate the organisation s values, goals, policies and procedures in all aspects of work Buddy new members of the team supporting a culture of learning and sharing of experiences Relationship Management Develop and maintain key relationships both internally and externally in order to advance the division s objectives Organisational Responsibilities Understand the Ministry s strategic priorities and high-level outcomes framework and how this role contributes to the framework Understand and apply the strategic context in which the Ministry operates, including priorities and perspectives of the Ministers, partner agencies and external stakeholders Contribute to the preparation and reporting requirements of the Ministry s accountability documents Understand tikanga and Treaty of Waitangi principles and have sufficient appreciation of Te Reo Māori to be able to apply the Ministry Māori dimension, underpinned by Ministry values, in a way that is relevant to the context of our business Using the Ministry s Capability and Leadership Frameworks, identify and participate in opportunities for learning and development, including through regular coaching and mentoring Identify and pursue opportunities to build specialised skills, knowledge and experience aligned with the Ministry s Strategic Framework

4 Contribute to Ministry-wide projects and emergency response situations Be aware of and adhere to the Ministry s Health and Safety policies and procedures All other duties as requested by the employer Knowledge Management Contribute to the continuous development of the Ministry s knowledge base by using the Ministry s internal systems, sharing information and data with relevant internal stakeholders Health and Safety The Ministry is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for all staff, including contractors and other workers, both on and offshore. You are responsible for: o taking reasonable care of your own and other s health and safety and being mindful of the effect of your actions (or lack of action) on the health and safety of others o complying with reasonable Ministry instructions to ensure the Ministry is able to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 o cooperating with health and safety policies and procedures o identifying and reporting hazards, injuries, illness and incidents (including near misses) that arise from your work or in the workplace o identifying and eliminating or mitigating health and safety risks so far as reasonably practicable and consulting with others in doing so o raising health and safety matters with your manager or health and safety representative (or contact as appropriate) o ensuring that all health and safety incidents, injuries, near misses are immediately reported through the HR Kiosk o ensuring that significant hazards and risks or critical incidents are drawn to the immediate attention of your Manager. Qualifications, Skills, knowledge & experience The following are required: Qualifications A relevant accounting qualification and membership to Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand CA or ACA college or equivalent is preferred, though it s possible that excellent experience and being well down the track of working towards qualification is sufficient. Skills and Knowledge Proven ability to build effective relationships with a broad range of stakeholders Demonstrated ability to convey information and ideas clearly and accurately, both written and oral, in a way that meets the needs of the audience Well-developed ability to analyse and interpret complex information and make effective, well-reasoned decisions. Strong client-facing and teamwork skills Good technical accounting knowledge and applied knowledge A working knowledge of financial systems software, planning and reporting, and analysis tools.

5 Ability to prioritise and manage work-flows Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines Proficient in Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel Sound understanding of tikanga and Treaty of Waitangi principles Ability to anticipate issues and problems and think of creative solutions Experience Demonstrated and relevant work experience at least 5 years relevant experience Experience developing and delivering training material would be desirable Experience developing policies and procedures would be desirable Experience in public sector financial management would be desirable Relationships The position is required to build and maintain the following relationships: Internal (within MFAT) Unit Manager Pacific and Development Group Business and Financial Support Chief Finance Officer Pacific and Development Group Staff Finance staff Leaders throughout the Pacific and Development Group Staff Networks and staff External Audit NZ Mandatory Role Requirements You must be able to obtain and maintain an appropriate New Zealand Government Security clearance.