Finance Officer

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Treasury of Financial Risk Management Service (FRMS), Finance Division (FD), Office of Programme Planning, Finances and Budget (OPPFB), Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC). The Finance Officer reports to a Senior Finance and Budget Officer. Financial Risk Management Service (FRMS) is part of the Department of Management, Strategy, Policy and Compliance, Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget (OPPFB). The goal of FRMS is to manage cash, investments, foreign exchange and related financial assets, deal with financial intermediaries for the Organization, administer health and life insurance as efficiently as possible and to provide the financial flexibility needed to achieve the Organization's objectives in a manner consistent with the strategic plan. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Finance & 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: • Monitors budget implementation and determines/recommends reallocation of funds when necessary. • Monitors expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels. • 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 transactions activities and reviews/evaluates regular financial reports at Headquarters, from Offices-away-from-Headquarters and Peacekeeping Missions. Identifies problem transactions and patterns of unusual activities, 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 reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained. • Provides advice and guidance concerning the United Nations’ Financial Regulations and Rules, policies, guidelines and financial Instructions. • Provides authoritative interpretation of requirements for handling transactions. • Monitors, analyses transactions recorded into the accounting system. • Defines requirements and collaborates with systems units to produce relevant risk compliance reports for a large investment fund. • Review all operational processes and surveillance controls embedded in an investment tool on a regular basis to identify and evaluate weaknesses, and strengthen processes and controls to proactively mitigate potential risks. • Create processes and controls for pattern analysis and statistical models to detect out of the ordinary activities. • Facilitate audit examinations, respond to audit findings, and finalize/close any recommendations. • Maintain positive interactions and communications with internal and external auditors. General: • Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to the corporate compliance programme, 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; • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Performs other related duties, as assigned. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge of, and ability to apply concepts and procedures and terminology for review, examination, and processing of a wide range of compliance related issues. Ability to interpret and apply legislative instruments, 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. Teamwork: 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. 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, accounting or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with 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 an advantage. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in corporate compliance programme is required. Experience with a large and diverse investment fund or investment management firm is required. 2 years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Experience with investment tools such as Bloomberg or equivalent is desirable. Experience responding to audit queries and closing audit recommendations 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).