ASSOCIATE FINANCE AND BUDGET OFFICER

Contract

This is a NO-2 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-2 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat helps the urban poor by transforming cities into safer, healthier, greener places with better opportunities where everyone can live in with dignity. It works with organizations at every level, including all spheres of government, civil society and the private sector to help build, manage, plan and finance sustainable urban development.

The Regional Program Division is responsible for consolidating and enhancing the linkages between UN Habitat's activities in the field with the Strategic Plan, the 2030 Agenda, and the UN-Habitat’s overall future priorities and to make sure that they are appropriate to the country context.

UN-Habitat’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific manages UN-Habitat’s project portfolio in the Asia and Pacific region. It ensures that country priorities are in alignment with the UN-Habitat’s organizational policies and strategic objectives and brings through its Regional Representative to the attention of the Executive Management Committee (EMC) opportunities and challenges in the region, allowing for timely feedback and responses to urgent demands and requests from the Member States.

Since 1992, UN-Habitat has worked closely with the respective de-facto authorities and especially with Afghan communities, contributing to the physical and social reconstruction of the country. The agency work has focused on assisting in development of urban policies and regulations; strategic urban planning; increasing municipal revenue; establishing community-based organizations; addressing the land and housing needs of IDPs and returnees and contributing to the provision of basic urban services. In the past, international actors have supported the Afghan government to build the hard and soft infrastructure of Afghan cities. However, given the geopolitical context associated with the power transition of August 2021, UN-Habitat is currently advocating for a community-centered and a community driven approach to deliver her assistance. Also, that uncertain governance systems currently in place, building on community platforms is more important than ever to deliver aid to at-risk Afghans- through cash-for-work programs, community infrastructure development and livelihoods support. Currently, UN-Habitat is working on a three-pronged approach to address the crisis: - Promoting urgent humanitarian support for settlements that provide basic human needs - Protecting Peace and Security to sustain essential services; and preserve social investments and community level and preserving development gains and systemic collapse

The position is located within the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific of the Regional Program Division and based in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Associate Finance & Budget Officer reports to the Country Programme Manager and within delegated authority, he/she will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities Medium-term plan: - Reviews, analyses and finalizes the preparation of the medium-term plan and its revisions on the basis of the country project submissions, taking into account recommendations and decisions in line with the donors’ agreement. - Provides advice and support to relevant programme managers in their review of the medium-term plan and its revisions. - Ensures the organization legislative mandates are accurately translated into programme budgets.

Budget preparation: - Reviews, analyses and assists in the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements from (a) Departments/offices at the country programme and in the field, including programmatic aspects; (b) smaller-sized peacekeeping operations; ensure compliance with the medium-term plan and other legislative mandates. - Reviews and analyses programme budget/financial implications to the country programme plan. - Assists managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions. - Provides support to relevant country programme managers in their budget review; assists in securing approval from the donors.

Budget administration: - Prepares unreleased and released budgets, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures. - Monitors budget implementation and recommends reallocation of funds as necessary. - Monitors expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels. - Reviews requisitions generated by the Umoja system for goods and services to ensure (a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged, and (b)availability of funds. - Administers and monitors budget resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures. - Assists in the preparation of budget performance submissions. - Reviews and assists in finalization of budget performance reports, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. - Assists in providing substantive support to intergovernmental and country programme.

General: - Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to country programme, ensuring compliance with donors’ recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures; - Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to territorial and urban planning, and urban design . Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems in the fields of planning and urban innovation. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources. Ability to independently develop planning concepts and proposal and produce high quality planning and design outputs, using relevant software. Familiarity with decision making process, participatory processes and tools for urban planning. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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 honors 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 Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in business administration, finance, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification A Certified Chartered Accounting Certificate is required.

Relevant training in Enterprise Resource Planning system as certifying officer is required.

Relevant training in Budget, Finance and Administrative functions and Integrated Planning, Management and Reporting is desirable..

Work Experience At least two (2) years progressively responsible experience in finance, administration, budget, business administration or related area is required.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency of the local language of the duty station (Dari/Pashto) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

NOTE: "fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and "Knowledge of" equals a rating of "confident" in two of the four areas.

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

Special Notice Appointment against this post is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension.

THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF AFGHANISTAN ONLY. National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, Afghanistan nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to traveling and relocating to Kenyan in the event of an employment offer.

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Internal Applicants : When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. " The expression "Internal candidates", shall mean staff members who have been recruited after a competitive examination under staff rule 4.16 or after the advice of a central review body under staff rule 4.15.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.

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.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

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.