Budget Monitoring and Reporting Officer

Volunteering Finance & Economy Logistics & Procurement

Overview

Contribute to budget management and monitoring for the United Nations.

You have:

• Budget management experience in international or governmental organizations is preferred.
• Experience with procurement processes and regulations is required.
• Ability to prepare budget proposals and revisions.
• Familiarity with financial management software (UMOJA or equivalent).
• Experience in reporting and monitoring performance against budgets.
• Experience in an international media environment is desirable.

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Concerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis in the Central African Republic and its regional implications, the Security Council authorized on 10 April 2014 deployment of a multidimensional United Nations peacekeeping operation – MINUSCA, with the protection of civilians as its utmost priority. Its other initial tasks included support for the transition process; facilitating humanitarian assistance; promotion and protection of human rights; support for justice and the rule of law; and disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation processes. The newly established mission subsumed the UN Integrated Peace building Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA) on the date of the establishment and has been set to take over authority in military and police matters from the African Union-led peacekeeping operation – MISCA – on 15 September 2014. (http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minusca/).

Under the general supervision of the Chief, Communication and Public Information Office (CPIO), the direct supervision of the Head of the Office and the Head of the Public Outreach and Advocacy Unit, the UNV Budget Monitoring and Reporting Officer will contribute to the development and implementation of the overall SCPI communication strategy which includes, among others, promoting understanding and awareness of the mandate and activities of MINUSCA in stabilizing the Central African Republic, and supporting substantive sections in the Regional Office and government partners by undertaking the following tasks:

Summary of key functions: • Preparation of SCPI Cost Plans and Budget Proposals; • Ensuring appropriate financial management of SCPI’s resources; • SCPI’s financial records are verified and reconciled with UMOJA reports; • Ensuring efficient SCPI procurement planning and management.

1. Budget • Prepares annual SCPI cost plans and budget revisions as required; • Coordinates budget planning, allocation, and monitoring for SCPI’s projects, materials and equipment according to the procedures and regulations in place; • Assists the SCPI Units in effectively aligning their expenditures to the Section’s approved budget and expected accomplishments; • Tracks regularly overall SCPI budget expenditure performance, including expenditure status against allotted budget per lines/items; • Prepares periodic substantive and expenditure performance reports and any other inputs as required by the Mission; • Provides regular updates to the Director of SCPI and the Chiefs of Section on SCPI’s overall budgetary and expenditure situation, on the progress of acquisition and procurement activities and escalates any issue that may affect negatively SCPI’s performance; • Represents SCPI in MINUSCA’s Local Integrated Business Planning meeting and any other meeting pertaining to SCPI’s resources; • Follow up on vendor payment in a timely manner and in accordance with applicable regulations and procedures; • Ensures appropriate management of all SCPI budget related documents: Receive, classify, archive and track communications in connection with projects, equipment, materials and budget; • Perform any other task related to finance and budget management assigned by the Director of SCPI.

2. Monitoring Acquisition and contracts implementation • Coordinates forecast and planning of all SCPI Units’ acquisition requirements. Monitors the supply chain process to ensure that a continuous and timely supply of promotional materials, services, and equipment for SCPI’s operational priorities; • Regularly reviews all shopping carts and Purchase orders and recommends remedial actions if and when necessary; • Provides periodic updates on the progress of acquisition and procurement activities and escalates any issue that may negatively affect the implementation of SCPI’s activities; • Coordinates the preparation of project contracts and procurement documents; monitors contracts implementation and keeps the Chiefs of section abreast of any approaching expiration dates; tracks timely preparation of contract performance reports.

3. Results/Expected Outputs • Allocated SCPI budget is efficiently and timely spent in accordance with the annual allotment and RBB communication outputs; • SCPI Budget and project-related documents are well managed, classified and archived regularly; • Periodic reports on expenditure performance and contract performance are prepared and shared with SCPI’s Coordination; • Vendors are paid in a timely manner in accordance with the regulations and applicable; • Vendors’ evaluation reports are submitted in a timely manner; • high quality procurement and project documents that comply with the UN regulations and set procedures are timely submitted; • Quarterly SCPI’s RBB reports submitted in a timely manner; • Regularly track the deadlines for contracts and advise concerned sections as appropriate; • SCPI’s concerned staff are familiarized with and abide by the new Supply Chain and Budgeting tools and procedures.

4. Impact of Results • The key impact is a smooth and better SCPI’s budget management and absorption capacity in accordance with the approved requirements and the UN Financial rules and regulations.

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Building Trust, Client Orientation, Commitment and Motivation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Judgement and Decision-making, Knowledge Sharing, Managing Performance, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Self-Management, Technological Awareness, Working in Teams

budget management, procurement or similar area. Experience with reporting, monitoring and evaluation tools is desirable. Good understanding of approaches, tools and methodologies related to planning, executing and monitoring outreach programmes and communications campaigns, campaign management, message targeting, impact evaluation. Experience working in an international media environment is desirable.

The Central African Republic is a non-family duty station with a difficult security and working environment. Security instructions from the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) need to be strictly complied with in all duty stations. The country security level is 4, restricting movement to official travel only. Currently a curfew applies from 10 pm to 5 am.

The country is landlocked, with very limited travel possibilities, and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Cameroon, Chad, DRC, Sudan, South Sudan). There is an unstable socio-political situation and social unrest and grievance, in particular in the capital city Bangui, with frequent civil servant strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil service, due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm, causing insecurity in the city. The population in Bangui, including the expatriates, is concerned about increasing crime as a direct result of the March 2013 coup by the SELEKA, a coalition of rebel groups, and events in December 2013 that carried the country into chaos. The country is entirely dependent on the Cameroon seaport, situated 1500 km away, causing regular shortage of basic domestic goods. Travel time for a truck from Douala in Cameroon to Bangui averages a week because of bad roads and roadblocks along the way.

This situation puts tremendous stress on personnel. There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. Living conditions are difficult due to the high cost of living and the scarcity of basic products and food. Supermarkets having a variety of food and consumer goods are available but are costly. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available in the market. There is no MINUSCA guesthouse in Bangui. Private accommodation possibilities are limited and getting a house that is compliant with UN security measures can take several weeks. UN personnel in Bangui live on the local economy by renting apartments and houses. In comparison to a few years ago, more accommodation is available now, but at high cost. Sharing accommodation is recommended. Currently all serving UN Volunteers have access to decent accommodation ensuring minimum standards of comfort. The average monthly cost for accommodation varies from around 1000 USD for a small apartment with basic furniture, but no power generator and interrupted running water supply, to 2,000+ USD with all commodities.

A UN dispensary provides basic medical care for UN personnel and a UN hospital has been operational since August 2014. A Level II Hospital run by a military medical team exists as well.

Only four airlines officially recognized by the UN System serve the country: Air France (twice a week), Royal Air Maroc (twice a week), Kenya Airways (three flights per week) and Asky (three flights per week). Flights are sometimes subject to cancellation when security situation volatility increases. The town of Bria (Sector East HQ) is located in eastern CAR, approximately 600 km from Bangui. The security situation is stable there (no need for escorts). MINUSCA has constructed a tented camp for civilian personnel with air-conditioned and acceptable standards, as well prefabricated accommodation camps. There are catering services provided by a commercial entity on a payment basis. The local market is also well-furnished with basic goods. There is Level 2 fully equipped military hospital in Bria.

The Central African Republic is a unique country, and MINUSCA is a unique operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural and security awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org