Head, Budget

About Us

The Administration Division manages the OPCW’s day-to-day human resources, finances, and logistical support, and coordinates knowledge management.

The Division also represents the Technical Secretariat during sessions of the Advisory Body on Administrative and Financial Matters (ABAF), and serves as the point of contact for the OPCW’s External Auditor. 

General Information

• Contract Type
  Fixed-term Professional
• Grade
  P4
• Total Estimated monthly remuneration depending on post adjustment and family status: USD
  10,045
• Closing Date
  16/05/2024

Responsibilities

Job Summary

The Budget & Finance Branch is responsible to maintain and apply best practice in budgetary planning, financial management, reporting and internal control in accordance with the relevant policies, procedures, and standards of the Organization. In doing so, the Branch is responsible for the development and management of the OPCW Programme and Budget, coordinating effective resource allocation efforts across the Organisation, taking a unified budget and Results-based approach. The Branch works towards the development of a long-term strategic approach for the distribution of financial resources for the Organisation and to ensure the strategic and optimal use of different source of funds,this also encompasses implementing effective financial risk management strategies and crafting a comprehensive contingency plan. The Branch is also responsible for timely and accurate financial reporting across all areas of the Finance function and sources of Organizational funding for varied internal and external audiences.

Main Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head, Budget and Finance Branch, the incumbent of this post performs the following duties:

• Plans, develops and prepares the OPCW’s Programme and Budget under the guidance of the Head, Budget and Finance, Director Administration, and the Deputy Director-General;
• Drafts guidelines and technical procedures for preparing the OPCW Biennial Programme and Budget submissions; prepares final draft for submission to the Policy-Making Organs;
• Supervises the Budget Section within the Budget and Finance Branch;
• Budget Monitoring;
• Prepares analytical budget performance reports.
• Monitors and co-ordinates on budgetary matters related to Voluntary Contributions, Special Accounts and Trust Funds;
• Co-ordinates Information Technology issues pertaining to the Budget Section of the Budget and Finance Branch;
• Support the work of the Advisory Body on Administrative and Financial Matters (ABAF);
• Support the work of the Budget & Finance Branch.
  

To view the complete job outline, please click here

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Essential:

• Advanced University degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Management, Public Administration or related area. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience  (minimum 9 years) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
• Practical knowledge of the principles of programme and budget planning and management;
• Knowledge of Results-Based Management (RBM) and UN system financial procedures and accounting standards.

Desirable: 

• Knowledge of Risk Management principles and internal control frameworks.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of programme and budget planning, preparation and management in a national and international environment;
• Experience formulating cross-organisational programme budgets and developing standard costing methodologies;
• Sound and demonstrated experience in annual and biennial budget formulation;
• Experience in formulation and implementation of budget charge back mechanisms, cost distribution and other innovative budget practices;
• Sound experience with formulation of extra-budgetary agreements, financial implementation monitoring, and reporting;
• Experience in year-end closure for budget related matters;
• Demonstrated experience in the use and implementation of ERP systems in particular budgetary module(s), associated budgetary processes and reporting;
• Experience with budgetary matters pertaining to large capital build (constructed asset type) projects;
• Demonstrated experience in policy and process change management;
• Experience developing and implementing Results-Based Management;
• Management experience with proven experience supervising small teams.

Desirable:

• Work experience in the UN Common System in Budgetary matters
• Experience working with Agresso/Unit4 ERP systems
• Familiarity with IPSAS principles would be a strong asset
• Experience in a business partner role
• Experience in preparing annual budget performance report and analysis for inclusion in IPSAS based audited financial statements

Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical and conceptual skills;
• Proven planning, organisational, coordination, negotiation and problem-solving skills;
• Leadership skills and a proven ability supervising the work of a small team;
• Inter-personal and communication skills with demonstrated ability to apply tact and accuracy and to present information clearly and logically both in writing and verbally;
• Ability to develop and implement financial and administrative policies and procedures for the Organisation;
• Solid information technology skills including proficiency in Microsoft desktop packages and financial management information in particular expert knowledge of Excel;
• Ability to ensure an effective productivity and achieve goals; ability to coordinate the work of others, work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent activities;
• Ability to work in a team and to establish and maintain effective working relationship with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Languages

Fluency in English is essential and a good working knowledge of one of the other official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is desirable.

Additional Information

This fixed-term appointment is for the duration of two years with a six-month probationary period, and is subject to the OPCW Staff Regulations and Interim Staff Rules.

The OPCW is a non-career organisation with limited staff tenure. The total length of service for Professional staff shall not exceed 7 years.

The mandatory age of separation at the OPCW is 65 years.

The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description. Several vacancies may be filled.

Only fully completed applications submitted before the closing date and through OPCW CandidateSpace will be considered. Only applicants under serious consideration for a post will be contacted.

Fixed-term staff members participate in the OPCW Provident Fund. A monthly staff contribution is met with a doubled amount by the OPCW under the provisions for social security. As the OPCW is exploring membership of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF), staff participation in the Provident Fund may be replaced by participation in the UNJSPF effective 1 January 2025.

Applications from qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged.

OPCW General Terms and Conditions

Important notice for applicants who are currently insured under the Dutch Social Security system

Although headquartered in the Netherlands, the OPCW is not a regular Dutch employer but a public international organisation with its own special status. Please be advised that if you are currently insured under the Dutch Social Security system, you will be excluded from this system as a staff member of the OPCW. You will consequently be insured under the organisation’s system. The above also applies to your dependents unless they are employed by a regular Dutch employer, they are self-employed in the Netherlands, or are receiving Dutch social security payments.

Please refer to the website of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment for more information about the possible consequences for you and your dependents, such as exclusion from ‘AWBZ’ and ‘Zorgverzekeringswet’ coverage: ‘Werken bij een internationale organisatie’.