Finance and Budget Officer

Job Description

Type of Job


Job Family
Finance

Job Opening Number
22-Finance-DPO-190476-R-New York (X)

Deadline: 16 Nov 2022

Description
Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Budget and Finance Section of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), Office of the Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI), Department of Peace Operations (DPO) in New York.

Established in 1997, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) works to eliminate the threat posed by mines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices by coordinating United Nations mine action, leading operational responses at the country level, and supporting the development of standards, policies and norms.

As a specialized service of the United Nations located within the Department of Peace Operations, UNMAS operates under UN legislative mandates of both the General Assembly and the Security Council. UNMAS also responds to specific requests for support from the UN Secretary-General or designated official.

For more information on UNMAS please visit www.unmas.org

Responsibilities

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

Medium-term plan:

• Reviews, analyses and finalizes the preparation of the medium-term plan and its revisions on the basis of departmental submissions, taking into account recommendations and decisions of specialized inter-governmental bodies.
• Provides substantive support to relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies in their review of the medium-term plan and its revisions; assists in securing approval from the General Assembly.
• Ensures legislative mandates are accurately translated into programme budgets.
  
  Budget preparation:
• Reviews and analyses data with respect to the finalization of 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; and (b) medium-sized peacekeeping operations.
• Provides support to managers with respect to the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions.
• Reviews, analyses and provides input into finalization of programme 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, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures.
• Monitors budget implementation and determines/recommends reallocation of funds when necessary.
• Monitors expenditures including financial reporting from Implementing Partners (UN and non-UN) 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.
• Supervises creations and closure of UNMAS grants in UMOJA.
• 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.
• Provides substantive support to intergovernmental and legislative bodies.
  
  General:
• 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;
• Monitors and supervises the work of subordinate staff as required (usually in the field);
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.
  
  Competencies
  
  
• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of financial principles and practices. 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.
  
  Education
  
  Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) 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.
  
  Work Experience
  
  A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in finance, administration, budget, business administration or related area is required.
  
  Experience with budgetary procedures, policies and practices in an International Organization is required.
  
  Experience involving trust fund management, budget preparation, resource planning, monitoring and analysis of implementation is required.
  
  Experience with financial systems and financial modules of ERP such as SAP is required.
  
  Experience in applying private sector or public sector accounting standards such as International Financial Reporting Standard(s)(IFRS) or International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS) is required.
  
  Knowledge of fixed asset and inventory accounting is desirable.
  
  Languages
  
  English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.