Finance and Budget Officer

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Payroll and Accounts Payable Section in the Division of Administration, Department of Operational Support (DOS). The Department of Operational Support was established to provide operational advisory services to operating entities across the Secretariat, including other departments, offices away from headquarters, field missions, and regional commissions. The Payroll and Accounts Payable Section processes global payroll and payments, provides policy advice and operational guidance, testing and implementation of enhancements to the payroll module of the ERP system. The Finance and Budget Officer reports to the Chief of the Accounts Payable Section. ResponsibilitiesWithin limits of delegated authority, the Finance and Budget Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Programme plan: • Reviews, analyses and finalizes the preparation of the programme plan and its revisions on the basis of departmental submissions, taking into account recommendations and decisions of specialized inter-governmental bodies. • Provides substantive support to relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies in their review of the programme plan and its revisions; assists in securing approval from the General Assembly. • Ensures legislative mandates are accurately translated into programme budgets. Budget preparation: • Reviews and analyses data with respect to the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements from (a) Departments/offices at Headquarters and in the field, including programmatic aspects; and (b) medium-sized peacekeeping operations. • Provides support to managers with respect to the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions. • Reviews, analyses and provides input into finalization of programme budget/financial implications to the Security Council statements in light of additional mandates. • Provides substantive support to relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies in their budget review; assists in securing approval from the General Assembly. Budget administration: • Issues allotments/appropriations, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures. • Monitors budget implementation and determines/recommends reallocation of funds when necessary. • Monitors expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels. • Authorizes payment to Governments for settlement of certified death and disability, contingent-owned equipment and letters-of-assist claims; determines average monthly troop strengths, establishing amounts reimbursable and initiating payments for reimbursement to troop-contributing countries. • Reviews all requisitions for goods and services to ensure correct objects of expenditure have been charged, ensuring availability of funds. • Administers and monitors extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures. • Prepares relevant documentation with respect to budget performance submissions. • Reviews and makes appropriate recommendations with respect to the finalization of budget performance reports, analysing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. • Provides substantive support to intergovernmental and legislative bodies. Finance: • Analyses accounts and reviews/evaluates regular financial reports at Headquarters, from Offices-away-from-Headquarters and Peacekeeping Missions. Identifies problem transactions and irregularities in related accounts, resolving them in a timely and effective manner. • Approves/Confirms that proposed obligations or expenditure for services, facilities supplies and equipment expenses, as well as those pertaining to personnel, are in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the UN, relevant appropriations and staffing tables and corresponding approved allotments/appropriations. • Ensures that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained. • Assists, prepares or consolidates financial statements for inclusion in the UN Financial Statements to be audited. Responds to internal/external audit observations. Reviews the financial statements of other entities for which the Controller has certification authority. • Provides advice and guidance concerning the United Nations’ Financial Regulations and Rules and Accounting Instructions. • Provides authoritative interpretation of requirements for handling transactions. • Monitors, analyses transactions recorded into the accounting system. • Defines requirements and works with systems units with respect to production of relevant financial reports. • Participates in the development of accounting policies. • Provides information needed to respond to audit findings. • Keeps abreast and provides guidance on the Human Capital Management module of the UN ERP System (Umoja) procedures, specifically the Accounts Payable (AP) module and its integration with other Umoja modules such as Supply Relationship Management (SRM), Asset Accounting (AA), General Ledger (GL), Cash Management and Treasury and Travel Management (TM). • Defines requirements and works with focal points in HR and Umoja with respect to system bugs, enhancements and roll out of new functionality. General: • Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme and/or peacekeeping budgets, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures; • Keeps up-to-date on current financial regulations/professional publications and accepted principles; • Has in depth understanding of generally accepted accounting principles; • Monitors and supervises the work of staff as required (usually in the field); • Performs other related duties, as assigned. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge of financial and budgetary principles and practices, budget development and financial administration of resources. Ability to develop budgetary policies, procedures and new programmes. Ability to formulate new strategies and technical approaches to budgetary matters. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly. 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business administration, finance, accounting, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationCertification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent is desirable. Work ExperienceA minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in accounting, finance, budget, administration or related area, with at least two years of experience in administration or support of payroll and travel is required. Experience supervising a team and training staff is required. Experience reviewing, investigating, resolving and reconciling complex payroll and travel related matters is required. Experience liaising with auditors and senior managers to provide data and information on payroll and travel processes are desirable. Experience in the use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, such as Umoja, SAP, People Soft or equivalent is desirable. Experience working with the United Nations or a large global organization's systems and procedures, Staff Rules and Regulations including entitlements and Financial Regulations, Rules, and procedures is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. There are no additional desirable languages specified. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).