Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a leave no one behind approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Job Purpose and Organizational Context
This position is located in the UN-Habitat Multicountry Office for Mexico, Cuba and Central America based in Mexico City. The Administrative and Finance Officer will work under the direct supervision of the the Programme Management Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC) and the Head of Office for the Multicountry Office.
UN-Habitat is the United Nations Human Settlements Program, which is responsible for promoting socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities in order to provide adequate housing for all. Currently, the program is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and finds its support in the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean -ROLAC-, located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The program is governed by the principles defined through: The Vancouver Declaration on Human Settlements, The Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements, The Habitat Agenda, The Quito Declaration on Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements for All, The New Urban Agenda and Resolution 56/206 of the United Nations General Assembly. With its work, UN-Habitat seeks to mitigate the negative effects resulting from accelerated and unsustainable urbanization processes, becoming a guarantor of the benefits offered by sustainable urbanization, and contributing to the reduction of urban poverty and the improvement of quality of life of the population.
Duties and Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Associate Administrative Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
- Human Resource Management
- Undertakes actions related to the administration of the units human resource activities, e.g., recruitment, placement, promotion, performance appraisal, job classification reviews, separation of staff members, training etc., ensuring consistency in the application of UN rules and procedures of the Agency’s projects in Mexico, Cuba and Central America.
- Provides information regarding conditions of service, duties and responsibilities, and privileges and entitlements under the Staff Rules and Regulations.
- Provides information on units staffing needs for inclusion in departments staffing table.
- Budget and Finance
- Assists in developing the units work program and budget; analyses inputs and formulates resource allocations by work program, or business processes.
- Monitors budget/work program with respect to to UN-Habitat Office for Mexico, Cuba and Central America budget, trust funds and grants, on a regular basis, and reallocates resources as necessary.
- Supports the implementation of procedures and systems for implementing the appropriate financial database.
- Contributes to the development of budgetary guidelines for UN-Habitat.
- General Administration
- Supervises support staff and consultants as required.
- Performs other related administrative duties, as required (e.g., operational travel programme, monitoring accounts and payment to vendors and individual contractors for services, physical space planning and the identification of office technology needs and maintenance of equipment, software and systems).
- Contributes to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provides draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
Staff within work unit, human resources, administration, and accounting; staff in missions and Headquarters; counterparts in other UN agencies.
Results Expected:
Applies specialized expertise with respect to a range of human resources, programme planning, budget, financial and administrative management tasks for the UN-Habitat Office for Mexico, Cuba and Central America.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Knowledge of administrative, budgetary, financial and human resources policies and procedures. Ability to apply various United Nations administrative rules and regulations in work situations. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Able to analyse and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
- Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
- Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
- Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
- Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
- Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks outside the box; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
- Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be clients and seeks to see things from clients point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
- Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.
- Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- A first-level university or master’s degree in business or public administration, finance, accounting, law or related field, required.
- Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage. (Candidates for this position must have passed the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the G to P Examination. No examination is required for candidates in peacekeeping missions.)
Experience:
- Candidates with master’s degree, a minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in administration, finance, accounting, human resources management or related area, is required.
- Candidates with bachelor’s degree, a minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible experience in administration, finance, accounting, human resources management or related area, is required.
- 1 year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable (none if successful YPP or P-1 with a related degree). (No experience is required for candidates who have passed a United Nations Competitive Recruitment Examination.)
Language:
- Fluency in English and Spanish, (both oral and written) is required;
- Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Other:
- Experience of accrual accounting, IPSAS or IFRS is highly desirable.
- Experience in and of knowledge of UN administrative and security management procedures is desirable.
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Disclaimer
Important applicant information
All posts in the NO categories are subject to local recruitment.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Workforce diversity
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Scam warning
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.