Finance and Budget Officer, New York, United States At Resident Coordinator System

Posting Title: FINANCE AND BUDGET OFFICER, P4

Job Code Title: FINANCE AND BUDGET OFFICER

Department/Office: Resident Coordinator System

Duty Station: NEW YORK

Posting Period: 27 February 2023 – 13 March 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Finance-RCS-202925-R-New York (X)

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

Organisational Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Resident Coordinator System’s Business Management Branch, United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) in New York. In its Resolution A/RES/72/279, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the transformation of the Development) as a stand-alone coordination office within the United Nations Secretariat, namely the Development Coordination Office (DCO). DCO now assumes managerial and oversight functions of the resident coordinator system under the collective ownership of the members of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG). The Resident Coordinator system is focused on the advancement of sustainable development, leaving no one behind, and with the eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions as an overarching objective, consistent with the integrated nature of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The incumbent reports to the Chief, Global Programme Finance Section.

Responsibilities

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

•  Reviews, analyses, and finalizes cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements from DCO departments/offices at headquarters and in the field, including programmatic aspects; ensures compliance with the medium-term plan and other legislative mandates.
•  Provides detailed input with respect to resource requirements for budget submissions.
•  Reviews, analyzes and finalizes program budget/financial implications of General Assembly resolutions 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, authorizes sub-allotments, 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.
•  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. General
•  Provides advice and guidance, including training, to headquarters and field staff on budgetary and financial policies and procedures, including results-based budgeting.
•  Analyses accounts, reviews/prepares regular financial reports. Proposes/implements solutions with respect to problem transactions and irregularities
•  Participates in inter-departmental meetings and/or technical survey missions on matters related to resource requirements, programming, budgetary and financial issues.
•  Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to program and/or peacekeeping budgets, 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 budgetary/financial issues, and correspondence.
•  Undertakes research and analysis of budgetary policies and procedures, makes recommendations for changes and/or modifications.
•  Acts as Certifying Officer under Financial Rule 110.4 to ensure that proposed obligations and expenditures are in accordance with approved budgets and established regulations and rules.
•  Ensures the integrity of financial and management systems and the controls that underpin them, and that all relevant records are maintained.
•  Prepares or consolidates financial statements for inclusion in the UN Audited Financial Statements to be audited. Responds to internal/external audit observations.
•  Provides data for the preparation of year-end performance reports
•  Represents DCO or section 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 financial and budgetary principles and practices, budget development and financial administration of resources. Ability to develop budgetary policies, procedures and new programmes. Ability to formulate new strategies and technical approaches to budgetary matters. 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.
•  Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
•  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 & 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.

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

Work ExperienceA minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in finance, administration, budget, business administration or related area is required. Experience in financial monitoring and reporting in a development cooperation context is required. Experience in using Umoja or similar Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP) is required. Experience with accounting in a development cooperation agency is desirable. Experience with inter-agency or inter-organizational collaboration in the development sector is desirable. Field experience in development cooperation is desirable.

LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language 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. 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. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/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. 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. 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.

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