Assistant Finance and Budget Officer

Contract

This is a NO-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-1 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting The post is located in the UNODC Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA) in Nairobi (Kenya), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The incumbent will work under the general guidance of the ROEA Representative and the direct supervision of the ROEA Finance and Administrative Officer at Front Office.

For more information on UNODC, please visit our website: www.unodc.org

Responsibilities Within assigned authority, the Assistant Finance and Budget Officer will be responsible for supporting the overall management in the area of financial, budgetary and accounting management in conformity with United Nations (UN) Financial Rules and regulation, and the policies for the implementation of the projects under the Regional Programme for Eastern Africa, UNODC. The incumbent will be responsible for the following specific duties:

• Support ROEA’s front office in formulating their financial management policies, internal controls and procedures, and in their monitoring and implementation to ensure optimizing efficiency in financial management.
• Contribute to keeping overall control of ROEA’s vendor accounts and maintenance of proper vendor relation; ensure timely clearance of outstanding payables, advances and other receivables.
• Collaborate with other UN entities and ROEA programme offices on finance related matters towards settlement of periodic or ad hoc service cost bills and general ledger (GL) reconciliations.
• Assist in overseeing the accuracy of payment submissions, efficiency of payment processing, and assist in monitoring the correctness of banking details registering.
• Support the monitoring and ensuring of timely consultant/contract payments in coordination with the substantive pillars in HR and Finance.
• Assist in liaising with Treasury of UNODC HQ and the in-house bank at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) on disbursement related issues.
• Contribute to finding solutions with respect to problem/complex payment transactions and irregularities.
• Provide assistance in managing a complete paymaster process at ROEA that ensures timely submission of paymaster advances and settlements, that secures smooth event implementation, and imprest accounts closure.
• Assist in analysing GL accounts related to payments and service/goods receipt, and in monitoring the status of payment processes.
• Contribute to providing payment performance data to programme managers and the Representative’s Office for the financial management of ROEA.
• Assist in providing advice and guidance, including training, to ROEA staff on financial policies and procedures, particularly in the area of payments.
• Contribute to drafting correspondences and internal procedural directives relating to payment matters.
• Contribute to preparedness actions such as early warning, risk analysis and contingency planning, and assist in providing the necessary recommendations in the context of payment efficiency and vendor/third party relations.
• Undertake research and analysis of ROEA’s current payment procedures and the existing controls, make recommendations for change/modifications.
• Contribute to the initiative of improving ROEA’s accounting processes and approaches in areas of vendor, consultant/contractor and travel payments, and accounts reconciliations with other UN partners.
• Keep up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to ROEA payment monitoring, ensuring compliance with UN Financial Rules and Regulations.
• Provide assistance in the implementation of IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) at ROEA.
• Provide support in response to internal/external audit observations related to payments processing and related matters.

• Perform any other work-related duties as required.

  Competencies - Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to budgetary, finance and accounting management and administration related fields. Has the ability to generate reports and presentations that include graphs, maps and tables. Has a broad understanding of the UNODC Eastern Africa region in its role in participation of UN reforms. Has knowledge of the mandates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Has excellent research, analytical and drafting skills. Is able to demonstrate very good communication skills. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; 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 A first-level university degree in finance, business administration, accounting or other related discipline is required

  Work Experience A minimum of two years of progressively responsible professional experience in finance, business administration, accounting is required.

  Work experience in managing vendor relations is required.

  Work experience within an international organization or the United Nations system is desirable.

  Experience in the use of programmes such as MS Outlook or MS Teams is desirable.

  Experience working in developing countries is desirable.

  Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English, is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage. Knowledge of Swahili is desirable.

  Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

  Special Notice Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located.

This position is temporarily available until June 2022. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

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 Considerations According 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 Fee THE 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.