BACKGROUND

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), as Belize’s National Implementing Entity of the Adaptation Fund, is implementing the project “Enhancing the Resilience of Belize’s Coastal Communities to Climate Change Impacts” (hereinafter “Adaptation Fund Coastal Project”). This five-year project seeks to address the high vulnerability of Belize’s coastal zone—its communities, ecosystems, and productive sectors—to the increasing risks of climate change. The project is financed at US$4 million and is being executed in collaboration with national partners including the National Climate Change Office, the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute, the National Meteorological Service, the National Hydrological Service, and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing.

Belize’s coastline supports critical ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs, which provide protection and livelihoods for nearly 58% of the national population that lives within 25 kilometres of the coast. However, sea-level rise, stronger and more frequent storms, coastal erosion, saline intrusion, and ecosystem degradation are increasing the risks faced by coastal settlements and economic activities such as tourism and fisheries. Vulnerable groups—including indigenous peoples, women, and small-scale fishers—are disproportionately affected.

The project aims to reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen resilience through four interrelated components:

• • • Improved coastal land use for resilient habitation and sectoral activities;
    • Coastal vulnerability monitoring and early warning;
    • Coastal protection and adaptation responses for high-risk areas; and
    • Awareness raising, knowledge dissemination, and national capacity strengthening.

Through these actions, the project will enhance Belize’s national capacity to plan for and respond to climate change impacts, while promoting sustainable coastal development and safeguarding the livelihoods of coastal communities.

To support the successful implementation of this Adaptation Fund Coastal Project and to ensure financial integrity and transparency in operations, PACT is recruiting an Accounts Clerk. The Consultant will work alongside the PACT’s Accounting Sub-Unit, which is dedicated to accurately recording, reporting, and analysing financial transactions to provide stakeholders with reliable information, and that PACT adheres to sound financial practices and regulatory standards. This role is critical for ensuring that project’s targets are met, while adhering to the adequate accounting standards, in reporting to the Adaptation Fund and other related partners.

OBJECTIVES OF CONTRACT

The overall objective of this contract is to support PACT’s Accounting Sub-Unit by contributing to the accurate recording, reporting, and analysis of financial transactions and the strengthening of operational and compliance functions for the Adaptation Fund Coastal Project, and for general PACT activities, through:

• • • Maintaining accurate and up-to-date financial records.
    • Processing transactions;
    • Assisting in the preparation of financial reports and financial analysis;
    • Assisting with proper documentation and record-keeping;
    • Providing cross-unit support for procurement, inventory, and asset management;
    • Assisting with internal control procedures, including preparation for audits.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Accounts Clerk will undertake the following responsibilities:

A. Financial Review and Analysis

• • • Co-execute, with Programming Department staff, financial reviews required as part of organizational capacity assessments and other due diligence to evaluate funding and strategic partners;
    • Review assigned financial reports, record all queries and discrepancies, and liaise with appropriate PACT personnel and external contacts to address.

B. Financial Record Maintenance

• • • Maintain and update financial information from the Conservation Investment and Climate Finance programs and the Fiduciary Management portfolio in the accounting system;
    • Maintain scanning and filing of source documents for designated project accounts;
    • Prepare and maintain accurate accounting documents and records;
    • Research, track, and restore documentation discrepancies;
    • Perform routine checks to verify the accuracy and completeness of records.

C. Transaction Recording

• • • Input financial transactions accurately into the accounting system;
    • Ensure all entries are properly documented and scanned with supporting receipts and invoices;
    • Prepare bank deposits, general ledger postings, and statements;
    • Regularly update transaction logs to reflect current financial activities.

  D. Payments

• • • Verify the accuracy and completeness of all invoices and payment requests before processing;
    • Ensure that all project-related payments are processed, scanned, and delivered or deposited in a timely manner and all appropriate parties informed;
    • Ensure all payments are accurately recorded and discrepancies promptly resolved.

E. Reconciliation

• • • Reconcile assigned accounts in a timely manner;
    • Reconcile bank statements with internal financial records;
    • Identify and resolve any discrepancies found during reconciliations.

F. Report Preparation

• • • Assist in producing financial reports for programs managed by the Programming Department;
    • Create and compile reports on accounting activity areas;
    • Collect and organize data from various sources to ensure accuracy and consistency in reports.

G. Revenue Collection

• • • Generate invoices and statements of accounts;
    • Liaise with collection agents;
    • Reconcile, prepare and present revenue reports as required.

H. Budget Management

• • • Liaise with external project management personnel from assigned fiduciary management projects to ensure adequate management of budgets;
    • Track transfer of funds between accounts for ongoing projects;
    • Monitor and report on budget variances to assist in maintaining adherence to budget allocations and identifying potential issues to be addressed.

I. Audit Support

• • • Assist in internal and external audit preparation by providing organized and complete documentation;
    • Compile documentation, records and information requested for audits;
    • Maintain and organize files and records to facilitate easy access and retrieval during audits;
    • Provide relevant responses to audit queries.

J. System and Process Improvement

• • • Support the implementation of improved financial systems and tools;
    • Recommend improvements to processes and workflows.

K. Asset and Inventory Support

1. • • Maintain accurate records related to asset management and disposal;
     • Support the reconciliation process;
     • Assist with periodic checks and reporting.

DELIVERABLES AND OUTPUTS

The Accounts Clerk will be expected to deliver the following:

• Monthly Financial Activity Report
  • Purpose: To provide a clear summary of financial transactions, reconciliations, and budget status.
  • Contents:
    • Summary of transactions recorded and processed
    • Reconciliation status of assigned accounts
    • Budget variance analysis
    • Notes on discrepancies and resolutions
  • Output Format: PDF or Excel report submitted monthly to PACT’s Accountant

• Organized and Auditable Financial Records Archive
  • Purpose: To ensure all financial documentation is properly stored and easily retrievable for audits and reviews.
  • Contents:
    • Digitally scanned source documents (invoices, receipts, bank statements)
    • Indexed filing system by project and transaction type
    • Audit trail logs for document access and updates
  • Output Format: Secure shared electronic folder

• Partner Financial Review Summaries
  • Purpose: To support due diligence and capacity assessments of investment partners.
  • Contents:
    • Summary of financial reviews conducted with Conservation Program Officers
    • Key findings, discrepancies, and recommendations
    • Follow-up actions and resolutions
  • Output Format: Individual review reports compiled quarterly or per partner assessment.

• Quarterly Financial Dashboard
  • Purpose: To visualize key financial metrics and trends for internal stakeholders.
  • Contents:
    • Revenue collection status
    • Payment processing timelines
    • Budget utilization rates
    • Reconciliation progress
  • Output Format: Interactive dashboard or static report with charts and tables.

DURATION OF CONTRACT 

The contract is expected to run for a period of 3 years.

REPORTING

The Accounts Clerk will have the following reporting requirements:

• • • Supervision: Accountant

DUTY STATION

The work associated with the execution of this contract will be carried out at PACT’s offices in Belmopan.

Travel within Belize will be required in the course of completing contract requirements.

WORK SCHEDULES

The general requirement is a standard work week of 39.5 hours, from Monday to Friday.  There may also be times when work on evenings, weekends, and beyond the standard work day will be required to accommodate PACT’s priorities.

QUALIFICATION AND CAPACITY OF ACCOUNTS CLERK

The following is required:

Education

• • • Associate Degree in Accounting or Business Administration
    • ACCA Certification or equivalent would be an asset

Experience

• • • Minimum of three (3) years’ work experience in Accounting or related area

SCHEDULE OF PAYMENT

The Accounts Clerk will be paid monthly, by the end of each month, for the duration of the contract.