Public Finance Consultant

Conduct national budget review in DRR and CCA areas.

This opening expired 3 years ago. Do not try to apply for this job.

UNDRR - United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

Open positions at UNDRR
Logo of UNDRR

Application deadline 3 years ago: Tuesday 6 Dec 2022 at 23:59 UTC

Open application form

Overview

Conduct national budget review in DRR and CCA areas.

You have:

  • Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in international or development economics, finance, statistics, public policy or a related field is required.
  • A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
  • A minimum of five years of experience in public finance management and/or economic analysis is required.
  • Technical competence in public finance management, budgeting, climate change assessment and analysis, knowledge of computing in financial management, budget processes and financial reporting is required.
  • Familiarity with budgeting processes and budget analysis methodologies is required.
  • Fluency in both oral and written English is required.
  • Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Result of Service Objective of the assignment: The assignment is to conduct a national budget review to: - Highlight possible gaps between budget allocation/public investment and national strategies on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA); - Identify priority actions and formulate recommendations for increasing investment and public expenditures in DRR/CCA; - Support the integration of DRR/CCA into development planning and budgeting processes; and - Provide feedback into the development of a global taxonomy for DRR and CCA expenditures.

Work Location International

Expected duration Four Months

Duties and Responsibilities Organizational Setting and Reporting Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations. Led by the Special representative of the Secretary General (SRSG), UNDRR has around 100 staff located in its HQ in Geneva, Switzerland, and 5 regional offices and other field presences. Specifically, UNDRR coordinates international efforts in disaster risk reduction and guides, monitors and reports on its implementation, particularly through follow-up and review of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. UNDRR creates global awareness of disaster risk reduction benefits and empower people to reduce their vulnerability to hazards. It encourages for greater investments in disaster risk reduction to protect people’s lives and assets, and for increased and informed participation of men and women in reducing disaster risk. UNDRR informs and connects people by providing practical services and tools such as Prevention Web, publications on good practices, and by leading the preparation of the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction and the organization of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Duties and Responsibilities Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Chief, UNDRR Regional Office for Arab States and the Programme Officer (Sendai Framework Monitor), the Public Finance Consultant will undertake the following responsibilities in the identified target countries: 1. Collect and analyse relevant plans and strategies related to Climate Change Adaptation (CCA), Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), National Adaption Plans (NAPs), infrastructure sectors, etc. and produce a literature review and mapping of these documents while requesting information for documents not publicly available; 2. Undertake thorough analysis and research into the political and institutional situation of the country related to risk management and identify principal stakeholders for DRR and CCA in the target countries (many DRR interventions are not necessarily implemented by National Disaster Management Agencies (NDMA) but often directly by line ministries); 3. Establish a methodology and approach for conducting budget reviews to identify DRR and CCA related expenditures and investments in the country based on the literature review and mapping exercise; 4. Engage with the UNDRR team developing a global taxonomy for DRR and CCA expenditure tagging and tracking and provide recommendations into the development and design the global taxonomy; 5. Collect budget data from the line ministries, and verify and validate budget data through consultations with various ministries; 6. Facilitate physical meetings of beneficiary institutions with stakeholders identified as having a major role in DRR investments, and support the organization of on-site outreach activities as requested by the supervisor; 7. Determine total expenditures and investments in DRR and CCA related projects, and assess alignment on what has been budgeted and identified in national DRR and CCA related strategies and plans; 8. Highlight gaps and identify priorities and needs for investment and public expenditures in risk prevention and reduction to consider in future plans and budgets; 9. Review and assess infrastructure plans and strategies of critical sectors, and provide recommendations to further embed DRR/CCA considerations in the planning and budgeting process; 10. Disseminate findings through technical workshops and events, with the aim of mainstreaming DRR into national budgeting processes, and provide training on the budget review methodology. 11. Facilitate partnerships among government institutions, UN Agencies, donors, private sector, civil society to support the formulation and implementation of DRR investments;

Work implies frequent interaction with the following: officials in national governments, international organizations, regional intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, technical organizations and the United Nations System.

Qualifications/special skills Education: - Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international or development economics, finance, statistics, public policy or a related field is required. - A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: - A minimum of five years of experience in public finance management and/or economic analysis is required. - Technical competence in public finance management, budgeting, climate change assessment and analysis, knowledge of computing in financial management, budget processes and financial reporting is required. - Familiarity with budgeting processes and budget analysis methodologies (e.g., the OECD/DAC policy marker for DRR/CCA level of investments and expenditures) is required. - Background/familiarity with disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and/or sustainable development is desirable. - Previous UN experience is desirable. - Prior work experience with public investment planning processes in the context of developing countries is desirable.

Languages - Fluency in both oral and written English is required - Knowledge of Arabic is desirable

Additional Information Special Notice As per UN policy, Consultants and Individual Contractors may not apply for or be appointed to any position in the Professional or above categories and for positions at the FS-6 and FS-7 levels in the Field Service category within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. This restriction does not apply to associate experts (Junior Professional Officers) appointed under the Staff Rules.

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.

Potential interview questions

Can you describe your experience with public finance management in the context of disaster risk reduction? This question assesses your relevant experience and understanding of public finance related to disaster risk. Provide specific examples of your past experiences in budget management and analysis related to DRR.
How do you plan to integrate climate change considerations into national budgeting processes? The interviewer wants to know your strategic approach to integrating climate change into finance. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a time when you had to engage with multiple stakeholders for a project. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies would you employ to identify budget gaps in DRR and CCA funding? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you provide an example of a successful project you led in either public finance or disaster risk management? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org