Senior Finance and Budget Assistant

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP’s Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This post is located in the Ecosystems Division, Programme of Work Finance Unit. Under the supervision of the Chief of Unit, the incumbent will perform the following functions:

Responsibilities

Providing a full range of project financial management and implementation assistance at all phases of programme/project cycle by:

• Assisting out-posted Administrative and Fund Management officers (AFMOs) in the preparation of new project documents as well as revision and closure of projects.
• Assisting in the preparation of the UNEP Executive Director’s report to the Conference of Parties, including project revisions and project closures.
• Providing support to the relevant out-posted offices and Regional Seas Commissions in obtaining approval from the Corporate Services Division (CSD)/Finance.
• Reviewing and facilitating the issuance of sub-allotments, cash advances and payments.
• Carrying out analysis and evaluation of on-going and completed projects in consultation with the out posted AFMOs.
• Liaising with the contributions unit to monitor receipt of contributions for relevant projects.
• Supporting project managers in developing resource requirements for budget submissions.
• Ensuring that the Division is not accumulating a backlog of projects due for closure.

Reviewing, analyzing, and assisting in the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, focusing on both staff and non-staff requirements.:

• Administering resources and monitoring budget implementation, recommending reallocation of funds.
• Reviewing, analyzing and processing expenditure reports from external partners.
• Recording expenditure adjustments.
• Identifying and resolving issues as they arise by recommending appropriate actions, and assisting out-posted Fund Management Officers in following up on transactions recorded by the Accounts Section.
• Assisting the Head of the Fund Management Unit in the periodical assessment of the Division exposure to financial risk.
• Issuing obligation documents, monitoring the status of outstanding obligations through periodic reviews, and advising the relevant fund management sub-unit on matters related to their constituency.
• Initiating periodic reviews of outstanding receivable documents and advising the relevant fund management sub-unit on issues pertaining to their constituency.
• Assisting in the preparation of budget performance submissions, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
• Participating in the year end accounts closure.
• Attending to Corporate Auditing requests.
• Preparing financial statements for projects to donors when requested.

Drafting or preparing correspondence through:

• Maintaining records related to project management and budgetary matters.
• Identifying procedures and guidelines to improve the administrative flow.
• Providing guidance, training and daily supervision to other general service staff within the unit in their areas of responsibility.
• Keeping up to date on documents/reports/guidelines.

Data related work:

• 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 or brochures.
• Performing other related duties as required.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

• Supplementary technical training in the field of accounting, finance and business administration is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of work experience in finance, budget, accounting, administrative services or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to eight (8) years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Work experience interpreting and applying administrative and financial policies is desirable Experience working with an Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP) such as SAP is desirable. Work experience within the United Nations common system or similar international organization is desirable. One (1) 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 post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. “NOTE: “fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ” Knowledge of” equals a rating of ” confident” in two of the four areas.

Source: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/241450?language=en