PRINCIPAL FINANCE OFFICER

Contract

This is a D-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 15 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 242,484 USD and 305,990 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Office of the Controller, Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget (OPPFB), Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC).

Reporting to the Controller, the incumbent leads implementation of a work plan to achieve optimal economy and predictable budgeting as well as stable financing for capital investments across the United Nations.

To that effect, and with the support from Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget, Business Partner Service, Office of Legal Affairs and the Procurement Division, inter alia, the incumbent will: 1) deliver, analyse and provide predictive advice to the Controller on key organizational and finance aspects in connection with major capital operations and plans, particularly in respect of cost effectiveness and controls, taking into account the GA mandates, the UN Financial Rules and Regulations, relevant IPSAS/accounting policies, etc.; 2) formulate capital investment projects and the review of their organization and execution as well as in the clearance of the related finance processes; 3) develop investment methodologies.

Responsibilities Within the delegated authority, the incumbent will lead the implementation of a work plan to ensure a holistic financial planning and optimization of capital investment operations and Secretariat-wide projects, including ICT-related budget, operations and capital investments, as well as other areas such as Buildings and Facilities, other Equipment, Security/Safety Operations, and Conference Services.

The incumbent will be responsibilities for the following functional areas:

A. Financial analysis of expenditure and/or proposals for capital investments as well as of the related operations and organization. Directs the review of proposals and makes recommendations to the Controller accordingly, taking into account the General Assembly's mandates and in connection with overall financial planning and cash flow timelines. Specifically: - Analyses expenditure patterns across specific classes of assets and capital investments in- order to make both reliable evaluations for mid-term and long-term funding as well as determines cost and operational optimization scenarios, including via reorganization, alternate cost planning, alternative sourcing modalities, etc.; - Leads ICT-related operations and investment projects, Equipment, Building/Facilities operations, Security/Safety and Conference operations, directs the in-depth review of all proposals from an end-to-end (direct and indirect costs) and full life-cycle perspective (from planning to acquisition to maintenance to replacement and write off), including all relevant operational, technical and financial requirements (such as licensing, contractual services and personnel), evaluating past practices to procure, contract and fund the same.

B. Policy formulation for financial modeling and financing mechanisms for long-term multi- year plans to effectively fund capital investments with reliable forecasting for stability, fit-for- purpose plans and optimal cost-effectiveness: - Using industry best practices for Capital investments, develops policy and procedures for capital budgeting to complement the current Finance policy framework using financial modelling in order to fully matrix all cost driver factors for financing formulations and operationalization; - Prepares multi-year plans with hybrid financing mechanisms in respect of specific capital investments projects identified and/or proposed which the Controller has approved; - Assesses risks and uncertainties (legal, market, assumptions, etc.), and opportunity costs [possible higher costs of not executing now are included as part of the risk assessment];

C. Represents the Controller in respect of the planning, formulation and negotiation of major contract arrangements for capital investments and operations, ensuring alignment with financial plans and cash flow timelines: - Directs the assessment of risks, uncertainties (legal, market, assumptions, etc.) and opportunity costs (possible higher costs of not executing) as part of the clearance process of capital investment proposals for the Controller's approval; - Contributes to the procurement processes related to capital investments from inception (RoI, etc.) and with a full life cycle perspective; - Directs research alternatives such as insourcing vs outsourcing, purchasing vs leasing/renting as part of the evaluation process for capital investments and prepares the related proposals and recommendations; - Provides consultative direction to Procurement Division, Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT), Facilities and Commercial Activities Service (FCAS) and Department of Safety and Security (DSS) managers on matters related to financial sustainability as well as organizational and economical effectiveness.

D. Other related tasks: - Evaluates and recommends industry best practices with respect to capital investments and assets management; - Develops capacity building: plans, organizes and manages staff and work programme; trains assigned staff in the areas of work; ensures quality and timeliness of output delivery.

Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge of the various components of operations, including cost and financial planning as well as operational organization for an organization like the UN whose expenditure drivers are intertwined personnel, contractual services, asset acquisition, service operations, etc., which are usually cross-funded by different financing vehicles and in different fiscal periods. Experience with Strategic Financial planning, Cost rationalization exercises, contractual and resource administration for project implementation and the related negotiations for budgeting and controlling purposes. Ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives. Ability to advise senior management on complex systems development and related matters of significant importance to the institution; ability to improve processes and approaches; demonstrates adaptability to changing priorities. Proven ability to develop highly productive and motivated team and to foster cross-functional understanding and collaboration. 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. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

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.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education An advanced university degree (Master's or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in one or more of the following is required: business administration, finance, management, economics or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in large scale operations involving project and financial planning, budget formulation, resource management and cost control is required.

Experience performing integrated budgetary and financial forecasting and expenditure monitoring analytics for budgeting, cost rationalization and controlling purposes is required.

Experience with organizational analysis for reengineering optimization is required.

Work experience in said areas at the senior officer level at the United Nations or similar international organization is desirable.

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

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 for six months. 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.

• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

• 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.

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.