Posting Title: Finance and Budget Officer, P3

Job Code Title: FINANCE AND BUDGET OFFICER

Department/Office: Human Security Unit

Duty Station: NEW YORK

Posting Period: 01 August 2023 – 14 September 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Finance-HSU-213783-R-New York (X)

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

Organisational Setting and ReportingThe Human Security Unit (HSU) is responsible for raising awareness and placing human security in the mainstream of UN activities. The specific objectives of the Unit are to: (a) manage the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS); (b) advance the application of human security as a cross-cutting approach to promote peace, development and human rights at the policy and operational levels within and outside of the United Nations; and (c) expand political and financial support for human security and its implementation by the UN system and the international community. The Finance and Budget Officer reports to the Chief of the Unit. The HSU is guided substantively by the Executive office of the Secretary-General and receives administrative support from the Department of Operational Support, Headquarters Client Support Services (HQCSS).

Responsibilities

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

•  Reviews, analyses and finalizes the budgets and resource justification of project proposals submitted for financing from the UNTFHS, ensuring compliance with the financial policies, procedures, rules and regulations of the United Nations and the Guidelines of the UNTFHS.
•  Provides support to programme officers on the financial review of project proposals and annual progress reports from the relevant implementing partners.
•  Reviews all incoming funds utilization and financial reports; monitors expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels; identifies problems and proposes corrective actions; ensures complete follow-up from implementing partners. Prepares in close consultations with the Chief and staff of the Unit the annual report of the UNTFHS, as well as other financial reports and presentations as requested by management, oversight bodies, and for public information.
•  Provides support to the Chief of the Unit by reviewing and analysing data with respect to the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals in terms of staff and non-staff requirements of the HSU. Provides support to UNTFHS clients with respect to the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions to the UNTFHS and any other finance related query as pertaining to the UNTFHS
•  Manages and administers the UNTFHS database and supports the transition to Umoja. Budget administration:
•  Administers and monitors extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures.
•  Liaises closely with the Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget (OPPFB) and Finance Division (FD) to ensure a) the ongoing availability of funds; b) the timely approval of allotments and allocations; c) the accurate input of updated expenditure data; d) and where applicable, the issuance or withholding of phased allocations and allotments pending attainment of stated objectives by implementing partners.
•  Drafts financing agreements, approves allotments and allocations, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures.
•  Monitors budget implementation and determines/recommends reallocation of funds when necessary.
•  Monitors expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels.
•  Reviews all requests for budget revisions to ensure correct objects of expenditure have been charged, ensuring availability of funds.
•  Administers and monitors utilization of 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.
•  Ensures the integrity of data and information of the financial and management systems. General:
•  Acts as Certifying Officer to ensure that proposed obligations and expenditures are in accordance with approved budgets and established regulations and rules.
•  Keeps up to date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to trust fund budgets, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures.
•  Monitors and supervises the work of subordinate staff as required.
•  Performs other related duties, as assigned.

CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge of financial and budgetary principles and practices, budget development and financial administration of extra-budgetary resources, including those of the United Nations and familiarity with the Umoja grants management processes. Ability to independently conduct research and analysis, formulate options and present conclusions and recommendations. 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 & 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. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business administration, finance, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree in the specified fields of studies.

Work Experience

•  A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in finance administration, budget, business administration or related area is required.
•  Experience in the application of UN Financial Regulations and Rules or other similar international or organization is required.
•  Experience in budget management, application of results-based budgeting, budget performance reports and financial analysis is desirable.
•  Experience in financial management of extra-budgetary resources and grants management 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.
•  Experience with the IPSAS framework and preparation of financial statements, preparation of financial, budgetary, and donor reports for intergovernmental or expert bodies is desirable.
•  Experience working with Microsoft Power BI and the development of dashboards for financial and/or programmatic oversight or analysis is desirable.

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

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

Special Notice

•  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.
•  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.
•  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.
•  Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AE2012/2/Rev. 1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.
•  Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection.
•  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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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.