Finance Specialist – Planning and Budgeting

Job Description

Background Information

The Finance Group (FG) is a critical and strategic business function in UNOPS and serves as an authoritative and integrated partner in the organization on strategic financial planning and budgeting, business strategy and practices, financial analysis and risk assessment, financial management services and long term organisational treasury and investments.

As the steward of resources of a self-financing UN entity, FG is accountable for timely cost recovery and reporting to partners, maintaining the integrity and transparency of financial management of resources in accordance with the highest standards of ethics and organisational/international accountability framework and the accurate and transparent financial reporting to governing bodies, clients, partners and stakeholders.

The Finance Specialist – Planning and Budgeting reports to the Head of Unit – Financial Planning and Budgeting who provides broad supervision and guidance. The role is responsible for supporting the implementation of the annual budgeting and target setting cycle, based on strategy requirements. It is also responsible for developing organisational analysis on progress towards strategy implementation.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of functions:

1. Financial planning

2. Corporate advisory

3. Knowledge management and innovation

1. Financial planning

• Provide input and advice on the organisation-wide processes for budgeting, forecasting, target setting and resource allocation.
• Coordinate the processes for formulation of UNOPS budget estimates presented to ACABQ and the Executive Board, considering the revenue generation and resourcing needs.
• Consolidate UNOPS overall budget estimates in line with the requirements by the Executive Board and the ACABQ
• Provide input and advice as required to ensure budgets are appropriate and that action plans are established to address the related oversight recommendations. .
• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of budgets, highlighting deviations, through the financial statements and other relevant external and internal documents, and seek to drive system integration of UNOPS budget estimates and the annual budgeting and target setting process.
• Coordinate the finance activities related to UNOPS Provident Fund, including the supplier relations, financial reporting and response to oversight recommendations

2. Corporate advisory

• Provide advice on the development financial and non-financial KPI’s.
• Review actual financial results to understand key business drivers and variances to budget/forecast and propose corrective action.
• Participate in discussions on the development of UNOPS Strategic Plans and Mid-Term reviews and development results reporting.
• Provide advice to the Head of Unit – Financial Planning and Budgeting and the Deputy CFO to work with Senior Management to help them better understand financial trends and financial opportunities that have impact on UNOPS budgeting policies and implementation
• Provide advice to the Head of Unit – Financial Planning and Budgeting and the Deputy CFO to drive policy updates in response to oversight recommendations and Executive Board decision

3. Knowledge management and innovation

• Contribute to the development of internal capacity across the organization in terms of financial planning and budgeting.
• Constantly monitor and evaluate policies, procedures, methods, tools and associated systems to ensure its utility, applicability and efficacy.
• Design/approve refinements to processes to maximise the benefits of management information system to enhance efficiency and facilitate organisational/management monitoring, oversight, reporting and integration between processes.
• Lead/organise training events and design/set training agenda to build capacity of stakeholders on financial planning and budgeting.

4. Impact of results

The responsible and transparent financial planning, analysis and reporting of financial resources to governing bodies, clients, partners and stakeholders enhance the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and consequently strengthen its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services in the country served.

UNOPS offers not only an exciting work environment, an attractive remuneration package and flexible working arrangements, but you would also be working in one of the most sustainable buildings in Copenhagen: the UN City.

You can meet our team and get a sneak peek of our working environment in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8CyuSqczvI&feature=youtu.be

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• A Masters degree in business administration, economics, political science, public policy, international development or other relevant field is required.
• A combination of a first level University degree plus 2 years of additional work experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master degree

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in strategic, business or financial planning in a large international organisation or business corporation is required.
• Experience in UN system organisations an asset.
• Experience with drafting official documents and policies within an UN system organization is an asset
• Experience with responding to oversight recommendations is an asset

Language requirements:

• Full working knowledge of English.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contract Agreement (IICA) Contract level: I-ICA 2 Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

About the Organization

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.