Job Opening
Job Opening ID: 225160
Job Network : Management and Administration
Job Family : Finance
Category and Level : General Service and Related Categories, G-6
Duty Station : NEW YORK
Department/Office : Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget
Date Posted : Feb 3, 2024
Deadline : Feb 16, 2024

Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Financial Reporting Service (FRS), Finance Division (FD), Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget (OPPFB), Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC). The Finance and Budget Assistant usually reports to the Head of the Unit or to a Finance and Budget Officer.

The Financial Reporting and Service is responsible for the preparation of the financial statements for all funding sources in compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS) and ensures that the financial statements are prepared in accordance with the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules (FRR). The service is responsible for the analysis of financial data and influencing financial policy and training content based on the lessons learned from the analysis. The service provides coordination and global support to the financial accounting related activities to ensure strong enterprise system and works on projects as needed by the Controller’s office.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Finance and Budget Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

BUDGET:
• Provides support with respect to the review, analyses and preparation of the medium-termprogramme plan and its revisions.
• Prepares supporting documents (narrative and supporting tables) with respect to finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements.
• Assists managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions.
• Undertakes research and provides support to higher level Finance & Budget Officers with respect to budget reviews of relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies.
• Monitors expenditures and compares with approved budget; prepares adjustments as necessary.
• Reviews requisitions for goods and services to ensure (a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged, and (b) availability of funds.
• Assists in preparation of budget performance submissions and finalization of budget performance reports, analysing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
• Monitors integrity of various financial databases.
• Verifies accuracy of input data, ensuring consistency of data in previous allotments/appropriations to new allotments/appropriations issued.
• Co-ordinates with other finance and budget staff on related issues during preparation of budget reports.
• Prepare request to Controller’s Office on redeployment of funds and to Finance section on movement of funds.

Finance:
• Scrutinizes source documents for completeness, accuracy and validity of charges.
• Investigates erroneous charges and takes appropriate corrective accounting actions.
• Communicates with field offices regarding missing documentation or any other issues related to discrepancies between their accounts and those maintained at Headquarters.
• Reconciles and reviews suspense accounts and ensure proper clearance procedures have been followed.
• Extracts details of income, expenditure, assets and liability from accounting system in order to analyze and verify accuracy and validity.
• Consolidates data into financial statements.
• Assists with the monitoring of expenditures to ensures they remain within authorized levels. Examines the validity of requests for increases in imprest levels; prepares disbursement vouchers to replenish imprest accounts.
• Prepares worksheets and assists with the preparation of financial statements.
• Audits various accounting transactions, e.g., payroll, education grants, final payments, income tax returns, travel claims, etc., to ensure correctness of disbursements and adherence to relevant staff rules, financial regulations and rules, ST/AI issuances or practices.
• Serves as Approving Officer for disbursements up to an authorized level.
• Provides guidance and training to colleagues as required.
• Supervises other General Service staff as required.
• Drafts/prepares memoranda and/or cables to various offices, departments and overseas offices.
• Responds to queries from staff members and third parties.

General:
• Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures.
• Drafts or prepares correspondence to respond to enquiries in respect to relevant financial and budget matters.
• Maintain and keep up-to-date files.
• May be responsible for providing guidance, training and daily supervision to other general service staff in the area of responsibility.
• Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.
• Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages and brochures.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment. Knowledge, skills and ability to extract, interpret, analyse and format data across the full range of finance and budget functions, including programme development and database management, claims and treasury operations. Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies and operational problems. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

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 AND 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.
Education
High school diploma or equivalent is required.
Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressive experience in finance, budget, accounting, grant
management or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to 5 for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher.

Of the above, a minimum of five years of progressive experience using an enterprise resource planning system in accounting/finance/budget/grants module is required.

Experience in the use of information technology programs related to spreadsheets, databases and word processing is required.

Experience with the application of Financial Regulations and Rules and staff rules of the United Nations or similar international organization is desirable.

One year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.