Job Opening
Job Opening ID: 225439
Job Network : Management and Administration
Job Family : Finance
Category and Level : Professional and Higher Categories, D-1
Duty Station : NEW YORK
Department/Office : Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget
Date Posted : Jan 19, 2024
Deadline : Jan 25, 2024

Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Office of the Controller, Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget (OPPFB), Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC). The Office of the Controller assists the Controller in discharging his responsibilities under the UN Financial Regulations and Rules, including reviewing and monitoring the execution of financial agreements; formulating and monitoring the implementation of financial policies and guidelines; and coordinating interdepartmental activities relating to planning, programming, budget and accounting matters.

The Principal Finance Officer reports to the Assistant Secretary-General/ Controller. The incumbent will design and direct the development of an implementation plan, including related resource estimates, for inclusion in the Secretary-General’s 2024 report on Capital Investment Planning (CIP). This will also respond to the recent requests and guidance from the General Assembly on the second CIP report in December 2023.The incumbent will also lead the preparation during 2024 of a Secretary-General’s resource proposals for the modernization of the conferencing infrastructure in UNHQ, and setting the stage for the standardization of similar projects in other major duty stations, especially Nairobi, Santiago and Addis Ababa where such projects are imminent. The incumbent will advise the Controller on the strategic priorities for the resource proposals in Section 33 of the 2025 programme budget, especially as they relate to facilities, buildings management, safety and security and conferencing systems.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the incumbent will lead the preparation of implementation plans and associated resource estimates relating to the specific projects identified in the second Capital Investment Planning report (A/78/536) and lead the presentation of the Secretary-General’s third CIP report in the main 79th session. To accomplish this, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

– Develop detailed project plans for each of the specified projects (Safety and Security upgrades, Buildings and Facilities upgrades, Conferencing systems upgrades) recognizing and reflecting the numerous inter-dependencies across these projects both globally and within each duty station/entity. This will entail working with subject matter experts at each location and horizontally across locations, and also developing and validating resource estimates, including researching and proposing methodologies for estimation, as requested by the General Assembly.

– Draft the Secretary-General’s third Capital Investment Planning report under the guidance of the Controller, and lead its presentation to the ACABQ and Fifth Committee.

Additionally, within delegated authority, the incumbent will lead the preparation in 2024 of a detailed implementation plan and associated resource proposals for the modernization of the conferencing systems in UNHQ, and draft the Secretary- General’s special report therefor, for consideration by the General Assembly in the main 79th session. This will involve the following responsibilities:

– Work closely with DGACM (business owner), OICT (Technology provider), DOS (Facilities provider), DMSPC (Finance) and any other stakeholders, to formulate the implementation plan for the upgrade of conferencing systems at UNHQ, taking into account
global standardization imperatives, financial constraints, business continuity constraints, etc.

– Formulate the Secretary-General’s resource proposals, along with a recommended timeline for implementation, and lead the presentation of the proposals to the ACABQ and the Fifth Committee.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of financial planning and operations in a complex environment of an international organization. Knowledge in project planning and budgeting, including detailed forecasting of resources for complex, mutli-million dollar projects. Knowledge in Strategic Financial planning, Cost rationalization exercises, contractual and resource administration for project implementation and the related negotiations for budgeting and controlling purposes. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations to senior officials. Ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives. Ability to advise senior management on complex systems development and related matters of significant importance to the institution; ability to improve processes and approaches; demonstrates adaptability to changing priorities. Proven ability to productively work with a team and to foster cross-functional understanding and collaboration. 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. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance and staffing.

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.

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.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Judgement/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in architecture, engineering, business or public administration, finance, budget, accounting, financial management, law, social sciences or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in property management, architecture, engineering, construction, facilities management, finance, budget, accounting, financial management or related field is required.

Experience in financial planning and operations in a complex environment of an international organization is required.

Experience in project planning and budgeting, including detailed forecasting of resources for complex, multi-million dollar projects is required.

Experience in identifying issues, formulating opinions, making conclusions and recommendations to senior officials is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required; and knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.