Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Resource Management Team of the Office of the Director of ERPSD, Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance in New York. The Senior Finance and Budget Assistant (Financial Information) reports to the Finance and Budget Officer of the team. Umoja is a continuous organizational transformation, enabling high-quality, and cost-effective service delivery for evolving United Nations mandates, anywhere in the world. By updating skills, harmonizing practices and applying global technology, Umoja maximizes productivity of the UN’s human, financial and material resources. Umoja transcends organizational, geographical and functional barriers, fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, empowerment, sharing and unity across the United Nations. For more information on Umoja visit: http://umoja.un.org

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Senior Finance and Budget Assistant (Financial Information) will be responsible for the following duties: • Reviews, analyses and assists in the finalization of the ERPSD’s Budget formulation and cost plans, covering staff and non-staff requirements, for the related programme planning aspects and financial projections thereof. • Assists in the correct execution of the ERPSD’s budget and funds management, including for the timely and correct processing of all types of commitments and expenditures in Umoja/ECC against appropriate WBSEs in compliance with the GA-approved Budget and program of work of the ERPSD’s, as well as in accordance with the financial regulations and rules of the UN and IPSAS, inter alia. • Provides input into the preparation of allotments, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures. • Assures timely and accurate tracking of expenditure for periodic budget and financial status reports on the ERPSD’s funding using Umoja’s BI and other tools. • Monitors budget implementation/expenditures and recommends reallocation of funds as necessary. • Assists in the correct execution of the ERPSD’s budget and funds management, including for the timely and correct processing of all types of commitments and expenditures in Umoja/ECC against appropriate WBSEs in compliance with the GA-approved Budget and program of work of the ERPSD, as well as in accordance with the financial regulations and rules of the UN and IPSAS, inter alia. • Reviews requisitions for goods and services to ensure (a) availability of funding in the corresponding allotment; and b) that correct WBSE and budget codes are being used for correct cost classification purposes. • Monitors extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures. • Assists in the preparation of budget performance submissions. Provides input into the preparation of budget performance submissions, allotments, redeployment of funds. • Assists in finalization of budget performance reports, analysing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. • Assists in the reporting and closure of yearly financials. • Monitors integrity of various financial databases. • Verifies accuracy of input data across systems and databases of relevance to the ERPSD’s budget and financial operations. • Co-ordinates with other finance and budget staff on related issues during preparation of budget reports. Drafts or prepares files, correspondence and documentation on the above as required. • Assists in the administration of SAP Technical training contract of the ERP. General: • Keeps up-to-date and maintain analytical reports in a pivoted MasterFile Excel reflecting ECC and BI data and relevant info from other sources [JOs, TJOs, assignments, etc.] • Drafts or prepares files, correspondence and documentation on the above as required. • Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: 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. 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. Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of 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. Of the above years of experience, at least four (4) years of experience in programme planning and budget formulation, implementation, monitoring and reporting in an international organization is required. Experience with finance processing, expenditure monitoring as well as financial reporting is required. Experience in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) SAP financial modules including Financial Accounting and Financial Management for finance and budget functions is required. Experience with Microsoft Office suite and high-level use of Excel and other spreadsheets is required. Experience with the Strategic Planning, and Performance Management modules of an Enterprise Resource Planning system is desirable. Experience with cost plans and budget implementation is desirable. Experience applying IPSAS 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.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is financed by Umoja funding. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.