Background Information - Job-specific
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.
The Finance Group (FG) is a critical and strategic business function in UNOPS and serves as an authoritative and integrated partner in the organization on strategic financial planning and budgeting, business strategy and practices, financial analysis and risk assessment, financial management services and long term organizational treasury and investments. As the steward of resources of a self-financing UN entity, FG is accountable for timely cost recovery and reporting to partners, maintaining the integrity and transparency of financial management of resources in accordance with the highest standards of ethics and organizational/international accountability framework and the accurate and transparent financial reporting to governing bodies, clients, partners and stakeholders.
Functional Responsibilities
The Finance Specialist - Planning and Budgeting reports to the Head of Financial Planning and Budgeting who provides broad supervision and guidance. The role is responsible for supporting the implementation of the bi-annual and annual budgeting cycles, and the general administrative budget management and budgetary position management based on strategy requirements. The role is also responsible for developing organisational analysis on progress towards strategy implementation.
Summary of functions:
1. Financial planning and budgeting
Provide input and advice on the organisation-wide processes for bi-annual and annual budgeting, forecasting, target setting and resource allocation. Provide input to key assumptions required for the bi-annual and annual budgeting processes. Consolidate UNOPS overall bi-annual and annual budget and prepare any related documentation and reporting to internal and external stakeholders. Provide input and advice as required to ensure budgets are appropriate and that action plans are established to achieve the necessary financial outputs. Monitor and evaluate the implementation of budgets and position tables, highlighting deviations. Review funding requests for special purpose activities Support the responses to oversight recommendations related to financial planning and budgeting Coordinate the finance activities related to UNOPS Provident Fund, including the Provident Fund Committee, supplier relations, financial reporting and response to oversight recommendations
2. Corporate advisory
Provide advice on the development of financial and non-financial KPIs. Review actual financial results to understand key business drivers and variances to budget/forecast and propose corrective action. Participate in discussions on the development of UNOPS Strategic Plans and Mid-Term reviews and development results reporting. Support in working with the Senior Management to help them better understand financial trends and financial opportunities. Support in policy updates and implementation of oversight recommendations and Executive Board decisions
3. Knowledge management and innovation
Contribute to the development of internal capacity across the organization in terms of business planning. Constantly monitor and evaluate policies, procedures, methods, tools and associated systems to ensure its utility, applicability and efficacy. Design/approve refinements to processes to maximise the benefits of management information system to enhance efficiency and facilitate organisational/management monitoring, oversight and reporting. Lead/organise training events and design/set training agenda to build capacity of stakeholders on business planning.
Impact of Results
The responsible and transparent financial analysis and reporting of financial resources to governing bodies, clients, partners and stakeholders enhance the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and consequently strengthen its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services in the country served.
***This is a Roster posting intended to build a pool of qualified candidates for the short-term or ongoing assignments to address future needs under the IICA contract modality***
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education:
Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of experience in budgeting financial planning in a large international organisation or business corporation is required Experience in UN system organisations is an asset
Language Requirements:
Full working knowledge of English Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset Competencies
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: International ICA
Contract level: IICA-2 (ICS-10)
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
***This is a Roster posting intended to build a pool of qualified candidates for the short-term or ongoing assignments to address future needs under the IICA contract modality*** Additional Information
Terms and Conditions
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.