FINANCE AND BUDGET OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Financial Reporting and Analytic Service, within the Finance Division of the Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget (OPPFB), Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC). The Finance & Budget Officer reports directly to the Section Chief. The Financial Reporting and Contributions Service is mainly responsible for the preparation of IPSAS-compliant financial statements for all funding sources, and ensures the sustainability of IPSAS-compliant accounting and reporting. The Service also provides a range of key financial reports, including reports on the status of assessed contributions, and schedules of individual trust funds. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Finance & Budget Officer will be responsible for the following duties: (These duties are generic and may not be carried out by all Finance & Budget Officers.) Programme plan: • Reviews, analyses and finalizes the preparation of the programme plan and its revisions on the basis of departmental submissions, taking into account recommendations and decisions of specialized intergovernmental bodies. • Provides substantive support to relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies in their review of the programme plan and its revisions; secures approval from the General Assembly. • Ensure legislative mandates are accurately translated into program budgets. Budget preparation: • Reviews, analyses and finalizes 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; (b) peacekeeping operations; ensure compliance with the programme plan and other legislative mandates. • Provides detailed input with respect to resource requirements for budget submissions. • Reviews, analyzes and finalizes program 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/appropriations, authorizes sub-allotments/appropriations, 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. • Authorizes payment to Governments for settlement of certified death and disability, contingent-owned equipment and letters-of-assist claims; determine average monthly troop strengths, establishing amounts reimbursable and initiating payments for reimbursement to troop-contributing countries. • 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. Finance: • Manages a complete financial operation, encompassing a wide variety of funding sources, a large volume of transactions, and extensive dispersed activities. • Approves/Confirms that proposed obligations or expenditure for services, facilities supplies and equipment expenses, as well as those pertaining to personnel, are in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the UN, relevant appropriations and staffing tables and corresponding approved allotments/appropriations. • Analyses accounts, reviews/prepares regular financial reports. Proposes/implements solutions with respect to problem transactions and irregularities. • Ensures that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning 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. Reviews the financial statements of other entities for which the Controller has certification authority. • Produces major/complex financial reports for management including trend and forecast analysis. • Provides substantive support to the development and implementation of new accounting systems. Takes initiative to improve accounting processes and approaches. • Provides data for the preparation of year-end performance reports. • Guides, trains and supervises staff in the function. General: • Provides advice and guidance, including training, to headquarters and field staff on budgetary and financial policies and procedures, including results-based budgeting. • Participates in inter-departmental meetings and/or technical survey missions on matters related to resource requirements, programming, financial and budgetary issues. • Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to finance and budget, 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 financial and budgetary issues, and correspondence. • Drafts official documentation to troop contributing countries concerning reimbursements from the United Nations. • Undertakes research and analysis of financial and budgetary policies and procedures, makes recommendations for changes and/or modifications. • Acts as Certifying Officer or Approving Officer in accordance with established regulations and rules. • Ensures the integrity of financial and management systems and the controls that underpin them. • Provides support with respect to representation of the Secretary-General in meetings of legislative organs. • Represents OPPFB or division 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. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Knowledge of accounting principles, procedures and standards. Ability to apply conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills in accounting operations. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, formulate options and make 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. The ability to analyze and interpret complex financial data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. 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. 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. EducationAn advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in business administration, finance, accounting or related field is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationCertification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent is required. Work ExperienceA minimum of seven years progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, budget, business administration or related area 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) supporting the preparing Financial Statements is required. Extensive experience in drafting complex and comprehensive financial reports is required. Experience in analysing audit observations, producing audit responses and/or coordinating and preparing responses on oversight reports, following up on the status of implementation of oversight recommendations is desirable. Experience drafting user guidance and training documentation for accounting processes is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).