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

The position is within the Liquidation Entity the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), in Bamako. The Finance and Budget Assistant at this level usually reports to Finance and Budget Officer or to the Chief of Unit/Section, within the Liquidation Entity.

Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Finance and Budget Officer, the Finance and Budget Assistant will perform the following tasks: Strategic Resourcing and Stewardship Assists with the preparation of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of the Liquidation Entity’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 as well as Result Based Budgeting inputs. Assists with support to programme/fund centre managers (Substantive and Support Sections) 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 Liquidation Entity'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 the Liquidation Entity 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 Liquidation Entity, 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. Performance Monitoring Assists in performing analysis, preparation and delivery of strategic support and business intelligence to operational counterparts and the Liquidation Entity leadership on financial resourcing and stewardship, and organizational performance of the Liquidation Entity, in line with the Liquidation Entity priorities. Assists in planning, monitoring and reporting of financial and operational performance. Other Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of UN Financial Rules and Regulations. Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment. Knowledge, skills and ability to extract, interpret, analyse and format data across the full range of finance and budget functions, including programme development and database management, claims and treasury operations. Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies and operational problems. 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 is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

Technical or vocational certificate in accounting, finance, budget business administration, public administration or related fields is desirable.

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. Experience in cost management, budget formulation, financial monitoring, accounting, audit, financial reporting or other related areas is required. Experience working in an entity of the UN common system or a similar international organisation in this capacity is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN secretariat. Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available within the Liquidation entity of MINUSMA until 31 March 2025, subject to budget approval. 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. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless: (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.