Posting Title: FINANCE AND BUDGET ASSISTANT, G6

Job Code Title: FINANCE AND BUDGET ASSISTANT

Department/Office: Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs-Department of Peace Operations-Shared Structure

Duty Station: NEW YORK

Posting Period: 29 August 2023 – 27 September 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Finance-DPPA-DPO-SS-216249-R-New York (X)

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Organisational Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Executive Office serving the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and Peace Operations (DPO). The Executive Office is part of the Office of the Director for Coordination and Shared Services (ODCSS) which enables, directs and coordinates departmental efforts to ensure the effective integration and management of both Departments. The position is under the general supervision of the Finance & Budget Officer. The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) serves as a center of excellence for peace operations, responsible for preventing, responding to and managing conflict and sustaining peace in countries where peace operations under its purview are deployed, and provides support to other entities on peace and security issues. The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) focuses primarily on five action areas in international peace and security, ensuring sound analysis and early warning, preventing conflict and engaging in peacemaking, managing political crises and violent conflicts, sustaining peace, and enhancing partnerships. The Department’s mandate is to prevent and resolve conflict through inclusive political solutions.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Finance and Budget Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: Budget and Finance:

•  Reviews, analyses and assists in the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements.
•  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.
•  Monitors expenditures and compares with approved budget; prepares adjustments as necessary.
•  Reviews requisitions for goods and services to ensure (a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged, and (b) availability of funds.
•  Assists in preparation of budget performance submissions and finalization of budget performance reports, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
•  Monitors extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures.
•  Monitors integrity of various financial databases.
•  Verifies accuracy of input data, ensuring consistency of data in previous allotments to new allotments issued.
•  Co-ordinates with other finance and budget staff on related issues during preparation of budget reports.
•  Review data on monthly staffing complement General:
•  Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures.
•  Drafts or prepares correspondence to respond to enquiries in respect to relevant financial and budget matters.
•  Maintain and keep up-to-date files.
•  May be responsible for providing guidance, training and daily supervision to other general service staff in the area of responsibility.
•  Performs other related duties, as assigned.

CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM

•  Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment.
•  Knowledge, skills and ability to extract, interpret, analyze and format data across the full range of finance and budget functions, including programme development and database management, claims and treasury operations.
•  Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies and operational problems.
•  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.
•  Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects 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. 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.

EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent.

Work ExperienceSeven years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, administrative services or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to 5 for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Proven experience and skills in preparation of budget and performance report is required. Experience with Trust Funds administration is required. Proven knowledge of UN Financial Rules and Regulations or similar international organization is desirable. Experience with the grants management module of an Enterprise Resource Platform (ERP) systems, and in the use of SAP/ERP, Business Intelligence (BI) and Excel reporting is desirable

LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage

AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special NoticeStaff 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. This position is financed through extra-budgetary funds and is temporarily available for an initial period of 1 year. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.