FINANCE AND BUDGET OFFICER

Contract

This is a FS-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as Field Service. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education. More about FS-6 contracts and their salaries.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the United Nations Organisation Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) in Kinshasa. The incumbent will report to the Chief Finance and Budget Officer.

Responsibilities Within the delegation of authority and under the supervision of a Chief of Unit/Section, Finance and Budget or a Senior Finance and Budget Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Prepare cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of mission’s resourcing requirements such as staff and non-staff requirements, including programmatic aspects; review, analyse and revise data with respect to the finalization of the budget proposals as well as Result Based Budgeting inputs.

• Provide support to programme/fund centre managers (Substantive and Support Sections) with respect to the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions.

• Administer and monitor extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures.

• Administrate the mission’s allotments in accordance with the established procedures including redeployment/reallocation of funds.

• Ensure 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; Provide support and guidance to fund centre/programme managers on budget implementation and corrective actions where necessary. Analyse complex/unusual accounting transactions and open items in the accounting system and implement corrective actions.

• Prepare the budget performance report of the mission and ensure that correct and accurate data and information are provided by the various programme /fund centre managers in compliance with the Controller’s instructions. Review and finalise the performance reports ensuring valid and adequate variance explanations between approved budgets and actual expenditures.

• Advise and ensure that only valid year-end budget commitments confirming with established criteria are valid for carrying forward.

• Review and verifies that appropriate relevant supporting documents have been provided for the processing of payments for goods and services received.

Act as a Certifying Officer under Financial Rule 105.5 or Approving Officer under Financial Rule 105.4 in adherence with the UN Regulations and Rules.

• Provide 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 under the supervision/guidance of the Chief Finance and Budget Officer.

• Supervise the day-to-day functions of the Travel Unit and coordinate all travel related matters and supervise a team of Travel Assistants and Finance assistants in the Unit.

• Oversee the administration of all official and within Mission travel requests.

• Oversee and review the work of Travel Assistants for accuracy and correct application of the relevant rules and regulations.

• Review travel claims and supporting documentation for completeness, accuracy, validity and conformity with United Nations rules prior to approval and certification.

• Closely liaise with Certifying Officers (TSA), Travel Shipment Processors (TPO), and Travel Claim Processors (TCP).

• Prepare and coordinate amendments to existing obligations as and when required, ensuring validity of budget allotment and cost centers assigned.

• Compile data and information and prepare travel related reports for various clients groups on regular basis.

• Advise on calculation of airfare, excess baggage entitlements, terminal expenses, daily allowance for staff and dependents traveling on missions, etc.

• Carry out other duties as assigned.

  Competencies Professionalism : Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment. Thorough knowledge of travel related processing requirements; good understanding of SAP Travel modules; ability to apply sound judgment in the context of assignments given; ability to analyze data, plan, manage and resolve conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of peace operations.

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.

Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification A technical or vocational certificate in accounting, finance, budget, travel or related fields is required.

Relevant training in ERP Travel Management is desirable.

Work Experience At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience within the United Nations system or in the private sector at the national or international level in accounting, budgeting or financial management is required.

The minimum years of experience is reduced to five (5) years for candidates who possess a first level or advanced University degree is required.

Knowledge of an ERP computer system, such as Umoja or another SAP-based application, is required.

Experience in a United Nations Mission operation is desirable.

Experience with ERP Travel module is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations 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 job opening is to identify the most qualified candidate for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). Candidates endorsed by the FCRB but not selected will be placed on the Finance and Budget Officer, FS-6 roster. The entire assessment process takes an average of six months; all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently will be invited to apply for field mission vacancies open only to roster members. Roster membership does not guarantee selection.

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

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.