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 Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

UNEP's Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC) helps to implement UNEP's global programs in the regions by initiating, coordinating and catalyzing regional and sub-regional cooperation and action in response to environmental problems and emergencies.

This position is located in Asuncion, Paraguay. Under the direct supervision of Administrative Officer/ROLAC Administration Unit, the Associate Finance & Budget Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities 1. Project Implementation: Approve and manage Umoja related financial functions and processes acting as a certifying officer for travel, finance, procurement, human resources, implementing partner agreements, UN to UN agreements and other financial related document in the system; Provide guidance on financial accountability within programme responsibilities and on the effective use of programme resources; Supervises and/or provides guidance on financial administration and management information issues and practices to junior finance staff; Review and certification of the petty; Develop, implement, and maintain internal controls to monitor and ensure that financial resources are utilized to implement activities in accordance with work plans and cost plans. Monitor obligations and expenditures in line with approved cost plans; Prepare and revise local project budgets in line with work plans and financial rules and regulations and ensure that costs are reasonably estimated; Review and clear financial reports to donors and liaise with ROLAC and headquarters for approval; Review financial reports and audit reports from local implementing partners and UN agencies ensuring compliance with donor requirements, identify the existence of illegible expenses and if necessary, request the reimbursement of the funds to the implementing partner or UN agencies. Coordinate and prepare the necessary documentation to execute activities through agreements with the UNOPS office in Paraguay; Verify inter-office vouchers (IOVs) prepared by UNDP to confirm accuracy of accounts and to allow for reconciliation with UNON's accounting system.

2. 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 local projects in the field. Provides support to programme managers with respect to the elaboration of budget resource requirements for budget submissions to Headquarters of local and regional projects.

3. Budget administration: Issues allotments, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures; Monitors budget implementation and determines/recommends reallocation of funds when necessary; Monitors expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels; Administers and monitors extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements with implementing partners and UN to UN and cost plans, ensuring compliance with donor´s regulations and rules and established policies and procedures. 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.

4. General: Maintain a central filing system, ensuring consistent use and appropriate archiving of Official finance documents: ensuring that information is complete and updated; Monitors and supervises the work of subordinate staff as required.

5. Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: 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.

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.

Education Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, 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.

Work Experience A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in either accounting, finance, human resources, administration, or related fields is required. At least one year of this experience should be in finance.

Working experience with the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems is desirable.

Two years of Working experience with an International Organization or United Nations Systems is desirable.

A minimum of one year of experience in audit is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and Spanish is required; Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by 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 is a project post. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.

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.

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.

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.

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.

On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. 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. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Contact Us" 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.