FINANCE AND BUDGET ASSISTANT

Contract

This is a FS-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as Field Service. It usually requires 8 years of experience, depending on education. More about FS-5 contracts and their salaries.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the United Nations Integrated Transition Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) in Khartoum and the Finance and Budget Assistant will report to the Finance and Budget Officer.

Responsibilities Under the general guidance of the Chief Finance and Budget Officer and direct supervision of the Finance and Budget Officer, the Finance and Budget Assistant will perform the following tasks:

• Assists with the preparation of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of mission’s resourcing requirements such as staff and non-staff requirements, including programmatic aspects; assists, reviews and revises data with respect to the finalization of the budget proposals.

• Assists with support to proramme/fund centre managers (Substantive and Support Units) with respect to the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions.

• Supports the administration and monitoring of extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations, rules and established policies and procedures.

• Processes the mission's redeployment of funds in accordance with the established procedures.

• Supports with the review in ensuring the efficient and effective use of budgetary resources through robust monitoring of budget utilization to the approved budget and timely provision of information to mission management for decision making; provides support and guidance to fund centre/programme managers on budget implementation and processes corrective actions where necessary.

• Assists with the preparation of budget performance reports for the mission, ensuring that correct and accurate data/information is provided by the various programme /fund centre managers in compliance with the Controller's instructions. Assists with the review and finalizes performance reports ensuring valid and adequate variance explanations between approved budgets and actual expenditures.

• Provides support to Fund Center managers for the year-end reviews of budget commitments in accordance with established criteria.

• Under the guidance of the supervisor, provides advice, financial interpretations, adaptations and corrective actions in response to audits and other queries to ensure adherence to the UN Financial Regulations and Rules, Staff Rules, Administrative Instructions, Bulletins and Circulars.

• Carries out duties consistent with the financial delegation in adherence with the UN Regulations and Rules.

• Supports with the maintenance of the fixed asset register.

• Analyzes complex/unusual accounting transactions and claims for travel, invoices and entitlement matters, etc. and makes recommendations to the Chief of Unit on appropriate follow-up procedures.

• Reviews payments to staff and vendors for goods and services, including checking payments for accuracy and correcting any discrepancies.

• Processes funds pre/commitments, payable documents and other financial accounting documents.

• Serves as an Imprest/petty cash custodian and process the payment processing/cashier roles; follows-up and issues Cheque and cash payments; and liaises with the Bank and serves as focal person for the House Bank in Sudan.

• Assists in performing analysis, preparation and delivery of strategic support and business intelligence to operational counterparts and mission leadership on financial resourcing and stewardship, and organizational performance of the mission, in line with mission priorities.

• Assists in planning, monitoring and reporting of financial and operational performance.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

  Competencies Professionalism: Proven conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills and ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identifying issues, formulating options and making conclusions and recommendations; a complete, in-depth grasp of budget principles and practices; solid knowledge and command of budget formulation, control and Results Based Budgeting matters; 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 and 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 High school diploma or equivalent. Technical or vocational certificate in accounting, finance, business administration, public administration or related fields is a requirement.

Work Experience A minimum of eight (08) years of progressively responsible experience in finance, budget, administration, public administration, business administration or related area is required.

At least two years of experience in the United Nations budgetary processes is required.

Work experience in the cashier’s role/Treasury functions is desirable.

Experience working with international or multi-national organizations is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required for this particular post.

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

Special Notice This position is open for recruitment for an initial period of one year and extension of the appointment is subject to Extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

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. 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.

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.