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). The Office of the Controller assists the Controller in discharging his responsibilities under the UN Financial Regulations and Rules, including reviewing and monitoring the execution of financial agreements; formulating and monitoring the implementation of financial policies and guidelines; and coordinating interdepartmental activities relating to planning, programming, budget and accounting matters.

The Principal Finance Officer reports to the Assistant Secretary-General/ Controller. The incumbent will design and direct the development of an implementation plan, including related resource estimates, for inclusion in the Secretary-General's 2024 report on Capital Investment Planning (CIP). This will also respond to the recent requests and guidance from the General Assembly on the second CIP report in December 2023.The incumbent will also lead the preparation during 2024 of a Secretary-General's resource proposals for the modernization of the conferencing infrastructure in UNHQ, and setting the stage for the standardization of similar projects in other major duty stations, especially Nairobi, Santiago and Addis Ababa where such projects are imminent. The incumbent will advise the Controller on the strategic priorities for the resource proposals in Section 33 of the 2025 programme budget, especially as they relate to facilities, buildings management, safety and security and conferencing systems.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will lead the preparation of implementation plans and associated resource estimates relating to the specific projects identified in the second Capital Investment Planning report (A/78/536) and lead the presentation of the Secretary-General's third CIP report in the main 79th session. To accomplish this, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

• Develop detailed project plans for each of the specified projects (Safety and Security upgrades, Buildings and Facilities upgrades, Conferencing systems upgrades) recognizing and reflecting the numerous inter-dependencies across these projects both globally and within each duty station/entity. This will entail working with subject matter experts at each location and horizontally across locations, and also developing and validating resource estimates, including researching and proposing methodologies for estimation, as requested by the General Assembly.

• Draft the Secretary-General's third Capital Investment Planning report under the guidance of the Controller, and lead its presentation to the ACABQ and Fifth Committee.

Additionally, within delegated authority, the incumbent will lead the preparation in 2024 of a detailed implementation plan and associated resource proposals for the modernization of the conferencing systems in UNHQ, and draft the Secretary- General's special report therefor, for consideration by the General Assembly in the main 79th session. This will involve the following responsibilities:

• Work closely with DGACM (business owner), OICT (Technology provider), DOS (Facilities provider), DMSPC (Finance) and any other stakeholders, to formulate the implementation plan for the upgrade of conferencing systems at UNHQ, taking into account global standardization imperatives, financial constraints, business continuity constraints, etc.

• Formulate the Secretary-General's resource proposals, along with a recommended timeline for implementation, and lead the presentation of the proposals to the ACABQ and the Fifth Committee.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of financial planning and operations in a complex environment of an international organization. Knowledge in project planning and budgeting, including detailed forecasting of resources for complex, mutli-million dollar projects. Knowledge in Strategic Financial planning, Cost rationalization exercises, contractual and resource administration for project implementation and the related negotiations for budgeting and controlling purposes. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations to senior officials. 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 productively work with a 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 and 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 that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in architecture, engineering, business or public administration, finance, budget, accounting, financial management, law, social sciences or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in property management, architecture, engineering, construction, facilities management, finance, budget, accounting, financial management or related field is required.

Experience in financial planning and operations in a complex environment of an international organization is required.

Experience in project planning and budgeting, including detailed forecasting of resources for complex, multi-million dollar projects is required.

Experience in identifying issues, formulating opinions, making conclusions and recommendations to senior officials is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

Not available.

Special Notice

• This post is financed by extra-budgetary funds. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

• Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter.

• This position is temporarily available through 31 December 2024. 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.

• At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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.