FINANCE AND BUDGET ASSISTANT

Org. Setting and ReportingThese posts are primarily found in the Finance and Budget Section of the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, Special Political Missions and Service Centers as applicable. The Finance and Budget Assistant, FS-5, usually reports to the Finance and Budget Officer. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Finance and Budget Assistant will perform the following tasks: • Assists with the preparation of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of mission resourcing requirements such as staff and non-staff requirements, including programmatic aspects. • Assists, reviews and revises data with respect to the finalization of the budget proposals as well as Result Based Budgeting inputs. • Assists with support to Programme/Fund Center managers (Substantive and Support Sections) with respect to the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions. • Supports the administration and monitoring of extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, issuance of allotments and ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures. • Processes the redeployment of funds in accordance with the established procedures. • Supports review activities in ensuring the efficient and effective use of budgetary resources through robust monitoring of budget utilization to the approved budget and timely provision of information to management for decision making. • Assists with the preparation of budget performance reports, ensuring that correct and accurate data/information is provided by the various Programme/ Fund Center managers in compliance with the Controller's instructions. • Assists with the review and finalization of performance reports, ensuring valid and adequate variance explanations between approved budgets and actual expenditures. • Provides support to Fund Center managers for the year-end reviews of budget commitments in accordance with established criteria. • Monitors clients' accounts to identify outstanding debts, planning and implementing a course of action to recover outstanding payments • Provides advice, financial interpretations, adaptations and corrective actions in response to audits and other queries to ensure adherence to the UN Financial Regulations and Rules, Staff Rules, Administrative Instructions, Bulletins and Circulars under the supervision/guidance of the supervisor. • Carries out duties consistent with the financial delegation in adherence with the UN Regulations and Rules. • Assists in planning, monitoring and reporting of financial and operational performance. • Assists with the preparation of the year-end financial statements. • Monitors extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures. • Assists with the processing of invoices and payments for providing goods or services. • Assists in reviewing the payment documents to ensure compliance with the Financial Regulations and Rules and administrative directives, and check against purchase orders and other commitment documents to ensure consistency and accuracy. • Processes payment to staff, uniformed personnel and implementing partners. • Investigates erroneous accounting charges and takes appropriate corrective accounting actions. • Contributes to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns, and provides draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Documents requirements and background information used for data analysis. • Drafts correspondence and communications related to all aspects of programme/project administration, including work plan and budgets, revisions and other related issues, as well as prepares unit's contributions for a variety of periodic reports. • Performs other duties as assigned. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Sound knowledge of financial principles and practices; Ability to independently conduct research and analysis, formulate options and present conclusions and recommendations; ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making; 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. Demonstrates 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 & 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. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. 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. EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent is required. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceAt least 8 years of progressively responsible in accounting, budgeting, or financial management is required. The minimum year of relevant experience is reduced to five years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience in cost management, budget formulation, financial monitoring, accounting, audit, financial reporting or other related areas is required. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English or French is required. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise. Special NoticeThe United Nations Secretariat maintains rosters of qualified and available candidates to fill anticipated job openings in the United Nations Secretariat. The purpose of this job opening is to generate a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in the Finance and Budget Assistant FS5 roster. The entire assessment process takes an average of four months; all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently will be invited to apply for field mission vacancies open only to roster members. Roster membership does not guarantee selection. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 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. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira \"Need Help?\" link. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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 FeeTHE 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.