Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Financial Reporting and Analytic Service, within the Finance Division of the Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget (OPPFB), Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC). The Finance & Budget Officer usually reports directly to the Section Chief. The Finance Division accounts for and reports to the appropriate authorities on the use of United Nations financial resources. The Financial Reporting and Analytics Service is mainly responsible for the preparation of IPSAS-compliant financial statements for all funding sources and ensures the sustainability of IPSAS-compliant accounting and reporting. The Financial Analytics Section is responsible for the analysis of financial data and the coordination and global support to financial accounting-related activities to ensure a strong enterprise resource planning system. The Finance & Budget Officer is responsible for coordination of activities for support and reporting for Property, Plant and Equipment, Intangibles as well as Internally Developed Assets and Inventory.
Responsibilities
Within 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 intergovernmental bodies. • Provides substantive support to relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies in their review of the programme plan and its revisions; secures approval from the General Assembly. • Ensure legislative mandates are accurately translated into program budgets. Budget preparation: • Reviews, analyses and finalizes 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; (b) peacekeeping operations; ensure compliance with the programme plan and other legislative mandates. • Provides detailed input with respect to resource requirements for budget submissions. • Reviews, analyzes and finalizes program 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: • Issues allotments/appropriations, authorizes sub-allotments/appropriations, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures. • Manages and monitors budget implementation and recommends reallocation of funds as 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. • Authorizes payment to Governments for settlement of certified death and disability, contingent-owned equipment and letters-of-assist claims; determine average monthly troop strengths, establishing amounts reimbursable and initiating payments for reimbursement to troop-contributing countries. • Prepares budget performance submissions. • Reviews and finalizes budget performance reports, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. • Provides substantive support to relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies. Finance: • Manages a complete financial operation, encompassing a wide variety of funding sources, a large volume of transactions, and extensive dispersed activities. • 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. • Analyses accounts, reviews/prepares regular financial reports. Proposes/implements solutions with respect to problem transactions and irregularities. • Ensures that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained. • Prepares or consolidates financial statements for inclusion in the UN Financial Statements to be audited. Responds to internal/external audit observations. Reviews the financial statements of other entities for which the Controller has certification authority. • Produces major/complex financial reports for management including trend and forecast analysis. • Provides substantive support to the development and implementation of new accounting systems. Takes initiative to improve accounting processes and approaches. • Provides data for the preparation of year-end performance reports. • 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. • Coordinates with other UN Entities on special Finance projects. • Guides, trains and supervises staff in the function. General: • Provides advice and guidance, including training, to headquarters and field staff on budgetary and financial policies and procedures. • Participates in inter-departmental meetings and/or technical survey missions on matters related to resource requirements, programming, financial and budgetary issues. • Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to finance and budget, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures. • Drafts reports for intergovernmental bodies and for management on financial and budgetary issues, and correspondence. • Drafts official documentation to troop contributing countries concerning reimbursements from the United Nations. • Undertakes research and analysis of financial and budgetary policies and procedures, makes recommendations for changes and/or modifications. • Ensures the integrity of financial and management systems and the controls that underpin them. • Provides support with respect to representation of the Secretary-General in meetings of legislative organs. • Represents OPPFB or the Division in inter and intra-departmental meetings. • May plan, organize, manage and supervise the work of the Unit/Section assigned. • Incumbents may be asked to perform other related duties.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of accounting principles, procedures and standards. Ability to apply conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills in accounting operations. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, formulate options and make conclusions and recommendations. The ability 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. 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. COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS LEARNING: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession. Actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally. Contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates. Shows willingness to learn from others. Seeks feedback to learn and improve.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, accounting or related field is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Job - Specific Qualification
Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent is desirable.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in accounting, finance, budget and administration is required. Experience in applying accounting standards (such as IFRS or IPSAS or equivalent) and preparing, reviewing, or supporting the production of audited financial statements and related disclosures is required. Experience working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle or equivalent), including financial transaction processing, reporting and analysis in asset accounting, inventory accounting, lease accounting and project accounting is required. A minimum of four years of experience using financial reporting and data analytics tools to support financial oversight, reporting, monitoring and decision-making is required. A minimum of two years of experience analyzing audit observations, coordinating audit responses and implementing corrective actions or process improvements is required. Experience developing accounting policies, financial guidance, training materials, or supporting the organization-wide implementation of new accounting standards, business processes, or financial system enhancements is required. Experience supporting a broad user community with accounting for Property Plant and Equipment, Intangibles, Assets under Construction, Leases and Inventory is desirable Experience in business process analysis, financial systems testing, data governance, or the implementation of ERP enhancements is desirable.
Languages
English 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).
Required Languages
LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level IIIUN Level III
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This post is financed by extra-budgetary funding. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
