Senior Finance and Budget Assistant

Result of ServiceThe Individual Contractor will support the Climate Change Division/Climate Change Mitigation Unit in delivering the following services under the direct supervision of the Adminstrative Officer: • Project and Fund management of the GEF Mitigation Portfolio • General administration Work LocationNairobi Duty Station Expected duration12 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The overall objective of UNEP's Climate Change Division is to deliver effective strategic guidance and high-impact action in support of the transition towards climate stability. Its work is guided by ambition, innovation, credible science, and alignment to global climate goals and needs of individual countries. The Climate Change Division works with Members States and Partners to accelerate and support a just transition by addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation through enhancing implementation capacity, provision of data information and knowledge, access to finance and technology, and building resilience. It promotes sustainable development and effective policies for climate stability; support action so that countries progress on decarbonization, dematerialization, and resilience pathways in line with their climate commitments, aspirations, and needs; and foster transparency in reporting. This post is in UNEP's Climate Change Division, Mitigation Branch, Global Environment Facility (GEF) Climate Mitigation Unit, Nairobi duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Administrative Officer, and the overall supervision of the Head of Unit & Senior Programme Management Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for the following: FINANCE & BUDGET: • Undertakes reviews and analyses and assists in the finalization of budget reviews in preparation for project implementation and revisions • Reviews, analyses, and assists in the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements, including programmatic aspects; ensures compliance with the approved formats and other legislative mandates. • Monitors budget implementation/expenditures and recommend reallocation of funds as necessary. • Assists managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions. • Undertakes research and provides support to higher-level Finance & Budget Officers with respect to budget reviews of relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies. • Provides input into the preparation of allotments, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures. • Monitors budget implementation/expenditures and recommend reallocation of funds as necessary. • Support the Task Managers in project revision process, Review of budget and workplan revision, Routing package. • Reviews requisitions for goods and services to ensure (a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged, and (b) availability of funds. • Monitors extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures. • Assists in the preparation of budget performance submissions. • Assists in the finalization of budget performance reports, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. • Monitors the integrity of various financial databases. • Verifies accuracy of input data, ensuring consistency of data in previous allotments to new allotments issued. • Coordinate with other finance and budget staff on related issues during the preparation of budget reports. ACCOUNTING: • Responsible for the processing of financial documents in line with the financial rules and regulations. • Review and analysis of various accounting data, financial statements input and preparation of reports. • Follow up with executing agencies for all financial requirement process: - Timely submission of Annual Audit reports, Quarterly Expenditures reports, Annual Co-Finance reports, Annual Inventory reports. • Scrutinize supporting documents for completeness, accuracy and validity of requests in line with applicable policies, procedures, rules and regulations. • Verify accuracy of postings and process corrections as appropriate. • Analyze and monitor open item managed accounts (OIM) in the ERP system (Umoja) and initiate corrective action. • Spearhead the internalization process for new GEF projects, Create Grantor module, Application, IPMR and follow through to the first cash advance. • Support the portfolios in the closing of project that ended. • Perform review functions of financial transactions when required TREASURY: • Reviews for incoming payment instructions with regard to banking details and sources of funds. • Process cash advances/ sub-allotments as requested. • Notifies payees of the status of payments. • Assists staff members, Fund Management Officers and donors regarding queries on payment and deposit-related issues. • Monitors Grant Cash balances. • Liaises with UNON regarding outstanding items and payment instructions. • Investigates complaints on non-receipts. • Reviews inter and intra-unit processes with the aim to optimize workflow and customer orientation. GENERAL: • Prepare and analyze reports with a view to identify anomalies and unusual trends and recommend corrective action as appropriate. • Perform data extraction and prepare various reports for management review. • Respond to queries and draft correspondence in relation to budgetary and financial matters from management, clients (internal and external), auditors, and other stakeholders. • Follows up on audit recommendations. • Follows up on fraud cases. • Ensure that accurate and complete accounting; reporting and internal control systems are functioning. • Ensure that all relevant records and audit trails are maintained. • Act as team leader and provide day-to-day management and supervision, training, and guidance to other general services staff. • 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. • Drafts or prepares correspondence to respond to enquiries with respect to relevant financial and budget matters. • Cleanup of grants, WBSEs, IPMR for project with Multi funding rule. • Follow up with executing agencies for all financial requirement process: - Timely submission of Annual Audit reports, Quarterly Expenditures reports, Annual Co-Finance reports, Annual Inventory reports. • Support the Task Managers in project revision process, Review of budget and workplan revision, Routing package. • Support the portfolios in the closing of project that have ended • Clean up of grants, WBSEs, IPMR for project with Multi funding rule. • Performs other related duties, as assigned. Qualifications/special skillsHigh school diploma or equivalent. A professional qualification in an accounting or finance related subject is required. Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA) or Equivalent is required A minimum of Ten (10) years of relevant experience in Finance, Budget, Accounting, or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to 8 years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Proven experience working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as Systems Applications and Products (SAP) is required. Experience in Global Environment Facility (GEF) project/grant management, budgeting, accounting, and financial management is desirable Practical experience in Finance and Accounting, budgeting and analyzing of financial data and reports is desirable. Experience in the UN (or similar international organization) is desirable Practical knowledge with international or UN financial rules and regulations and the IPSAS accounting standards is desirable. Work experience of one (1) year or more in data analytics or related area is desirable Languages• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of Swahili is desirable Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.