FINANCE AND BUDGET OFFICER (TJO)

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Finance and Budget Section (FBS), Programme Support and Management Services (PSMS), Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Geneva. The Finance & Budget Officer usually reports to the Head of the Cluster/Unit under the general supervision of the Chief FBS. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Finance & Budget Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Budget preparation and review: • Reviews, analyses and finalizes the cost plans/budgets for the annual planning and project budget proposals for fund raising, ensuring compliance with the financial policies, procedures, rules and regulations of the United Nations and the Operations Group (OG) guidelines; completes required actions in the relevant systems for the budget preparation. • Provides support to programme officers with respect to the financial review of cost plans/budgets and project proposals • Reviews, analyses and provides input into finalization of programme budget/financial implications to ensure that legislative mandates are accurately translated into budgets; assists in securing approval from the General Assembly. Budget administration: • Monitors and controls regular budget and extra-budgetary allotments, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures. • Monitors budget implementation and determines/recommends reallocation of funds when necessary. • Monitors fund commitments/expenditures, reviews and clears outstanding fund commitments to ensure effective and efficient management of financial regular and extra-budgetary resources; provides advice thereon to programme officers. • Administers and monitors extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures. • Reviews/certifies financial authorisations to local service providers to incur expenditures for specific field activities against authorized budget • Reviews and certifies grant agreements and payments to third parties, reviews and processes financial reports and provides advice thereon; • Acts as Certifying Officer for a broad portfolio of projects, encompassing a wide variety of funding sources (regular budget and extra-budgetary resources) and a large volume of transactions, in accordance with the approved budgets and in compliance with regulations and rules. • Prepares statistical data/relevant documentation with respect to budget performance submissions. • Prepares periodic financial reports on the status of expenditures for OHCHR headquarters and field projects, analysing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. • Analyses and interprets data analytics reports (e.g., Umoja Analytics, Power BI) to identify budget variances, assess financial risks and support evidence based decision making. • Performs internal reviews and assessment exercises to ensure effective and efficient use of resources and/or to advice on financial aspects to create, expand and/or close field operations; • Prepares responses to audit queries and recommendations, liaises with internal and external auditors, as well as other oversight bodies. 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; • Monitors and supervises the work of subordinate staff as required; • Undertakes special projects and/or performs other related duties, as assigned. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of financial, budgetary and grants (incoming and outgoing) management principles and practices. Ability to independently conduct research and analysis, formulate options and present conclusions and recommendations. 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. 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. ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. 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 additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationA valid certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent is desirable. Work ExperienceA minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in finance, administration, budget, business administration or related area is required. A minimum of four years of experience with the budget and finance modules of UMOJA /enterprise resource planning systems (preferably SAP-based) is required. Out of these five years, at least two years in the United Nations Common System or similar intergovernmental organisations is desirable. A minimum of two years of experience with grants management (review of agreements with implementing partners, processing payments, review of financial reports) is desirable. A minimum of four years of experience in applying budgetary policies and practices, financial regulations and rules for a variety of funding sources (extra-budgetary, regular budget, programme support account) is desirable. Experience in preparing responses to audit queries and recommendations, liaising with internal and external auditors, and other oversight bodies is desirable. Experience using data analytics tools (such as Umoja Analytics, Power BI or similar platforms) to monitor budget implementation and identify unusual items, to review transactions and generate reports is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Either French or Spanish or Russian or Arabic or Chinese (Mandarin) is desirable. 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).