FINANCE AND BUDGET OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThe United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty. This post is located in the Budget and Finance Section in the Management Advisory and Compliance Service (MACS) at the UN-Habitat Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Budget and Finance Section and the overall guidance of the Director of Management Advisory and Compliance Service, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: ResponsibilitiesMEDIUM-TERM PLAN: • Reviews, analyses and finalizes the preparation of the medium-term 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 medium-term plan and its revisions; assists in securing approval from the General Assembly and the Executive Board. • 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 divisions/offices at headquarters and in the field, including programmatic aspects. • Provides support to managers with respect to the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions. • Participates in reviews, analyses and provides input into finalization of programme budget/financial implications to the Executive Board 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 and the Executive Board. BUDGET ADMINISTRATION: • Issues allotments, 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. • Reviews all requisitions generated by the Umoja/SAP ERP system 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. GENERAL: • Preparing analytical reports and presentations on strategic issues, including data analysis, identifying issues, forming hypotheses and synthesizing conclusions into recommendations and presentations. • Collecting and analyzing data to identify trends or patterns and provides insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Keeps up to date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme budgets, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures. • Monitors and supervises the work of subordinate staff as required. • Performs other related duties, as assigned. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of financial principles and practices. Ability to independently conduct research and analysis, formulate options and present conclusions and recommendations. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. TEAM WORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. 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. 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. CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable. Job - Specific QualificationAdditional certification in Accounting is desirable. Work ExperienceA minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, administration, budget or business administration is required. Working experience with an Enterprise Resource Platform (ERP) system e.g. SAP, is required. Experience in implementation of Accounting Standards, including IPSAS is required. Experience in administering and monitoring extra-budgetary resources, including reviewing agreements and cost plans to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, rules, and procedures is desirable. Experience in reviewing and providing recommendations on budget performance reports, including analysis of variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures, is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. 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).