Finance and Budget Officer, New York, United States At Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Posting Title: Finance and Budget Officer, P3

Job Code Title: FINANCE AND BUDGET OFFICER

Department/Office: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Duty Station: NEW YORK

Posting Period: 12 April 2023 – 26 May 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Finance-OCHA-205403-R-New York (R)

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

Organisational Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Central Emergency Response Fund Secretariat (CERF) of the Pooled Fund Management Branch of the Humanitarian Finance and Resource Mobilization Division (HFRMD) of the Office of for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in New York. OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA’s mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions. The Finance & Budget Officer reports to the Chief of Finance and Administration Unit within the CERF Secretariat.

Responsibilities

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

•  Monitors and records extra-budgetary contributions to CERF in compliance with IPSAS,
•  Identifies discrepancies concerning contributions to CERF and resolves them,
•  Serves as financial focal point for all CERF contributions.
•  Reviews Memoranda of Understanding with Donors to ensure their formulation in compliance with UN Financial Regulations and Rules. 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 for the CERF secretariat at Headquarters and CERF grant projects in the field. Provides support to managers with respect to the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions.
•  Reviews, analyses and provides input into finalization of CERF budget based on financial implications in light of evolving mandates.
•  Provides substantive support to relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies in their budget review. Budget administration:
•  Issues allotments, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures.
•  Monitors budget implementation and determines/recommends reallocation of funds when necessary.
•  Certifies and monitors CERF secretariat expenditures and grant expenditure to ensure that they remain within authorized levels and adhered to the CERF mandate.
•  Reviews all requisitions for goods and services to ensure correct objects of expenditure have been charged, ensuring availability of funds.
•  Administers and monitors extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures. Reviews and monitor financial reporting on CERF grants from agencies to ensure their compliance with the terms of Umbrella Letter of Understanding.
•  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 CERF, 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.

Competencies

•  PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of financial principles and practices. Knowledge of the UN Financial Regulations and Rules. 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 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.
•  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) in business administration, finance, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work ExperienceA minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in finance, administration, budget, business administration or related area is required. Experience in application of Financial Regulations and Rules, including IPSAS, of the United Nations or of comparable international organizations is required Experience in budgeting and analysing financial reports is required. Experience with financial functions, including Grantor, in ERP systems such as Umoja is required. Three (3) years of international field experience in finance, budget, business administration or related area in the context of humanitarian and/or development programs is desirable. Extensive experience working with Microsoft Excel is desirable. Experience in financial management of pooled fund mechanism of United Nations Common System or of comparable international organization is desirable. Two (2) years of international field experience in the last five (5) years in a humanitarian operations context is desirable.

LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English (written and oral) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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

Special NoticeThis post is funded for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. 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. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for these positions. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

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.

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