Senior Budget Assistant

Contract

This is a G-7 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-7 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Policy Coordination Unit of the Programme Planning and Budget Division (PPBD) of the Office of Programme, Planning, Finance and (OPPFB), Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC).The Senior Programme Budget Assistant reports directly to the Chief of Unit and the Director of the Division.

PPBD is committed to ensuring the highest standards in the preparation and presentation of programme budgets of the United Nations. These budgets are formulated in line with the agreed results-based budgeting methodology. The Policy Coordination Unit (PCU) is responsible for the preparation, dissemination and coordination of budgetary policy and guidance related to the programme budget and for the articulation of solutions that respond to cross-cutting matters affecting the programme budget.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Senior Budget Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

Budget: 1) Coordinates the compilation and organization of information relevant for the formulation of budget proposals and budget guidance, including conclusions, recommendations and decisions from intergovernmental and expert bodies. 2) Supports and assists in the finalization and quality assurance of the programmatic and resource aspects of the programme budget and its revisions on the basis of departmental submissions, taking into account recommendations and decisions of specialized relevant expert and intergovernmental bodies. 3) Assists in the coordination and maintenance of the information necessary for the budget preparation, including standard salary costs, forms, templates and relevant supporting information in an accessible manner. 4) Maintains the schedule of reports and related deadlines, including any adjustments. Monitors submissions from client Departments; validates completeness and compliance within broad parameters contained in the budgetary guidance. 5) Coordinates the extraction and collection of simple information necessary to respond to queries from client departments and intergovernmental and expert bodies; keep statistics related to the support to client departments and review bodies up-to-date. 6) Supports staff performing budgetary transactions and utilizing budgetary systems, including allotments, redeployments of funds and position actions. 7) Liaises with relevant counterparts and supports in compiling and validating non-budgetary information presented in the proposed programme budget, including compliance with standards of accommodation for air travel, compliance with documentation deadlines and lists of publications as approved by the publications board among others. 8) Monitors budget implementation/expenditures and identifies potential surplus and deficits; recommends reallocation of funds as necessary. 9) Assists in the finalization of budget performance reports, identifying variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. 10) Organizes and consolidates budgetary information to be presented to internal clients, client Departments, Member States and intergovernmental and expert bodies; Organizes and shares information in a simple, accessible and attractive manner; coordinates the organization and archiving of budgetary information; strives to improved accessibility and accuracy of archived files and information. 11) Coordinates the extraction of information from budgetary systems with a view to identify potentially invalid records or transactions requiring attention. Presents possible corrective actions, including by identifying areas that can benefit from new or strengthened policies.

General: 12) Keeps abreast of support work being performed by other budget and finance assistants, and seeks and proposes solutions that streamline the work including by advocating for higher degree of automation while minimizing opportunities for error. 13) Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines related to programme and/or peacekeeping budgets, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures. 14) Coordinates the maintenance of lists of budgetary counterparts from departments and committees up-to-date for accurate dissemination of information. 15) Drafts or prepares correspondence to respond to enquiries in respect to relevant financial and budget matters. 16) Provides guidance, training and daily supervision to other general service staff in the area of responsibility. 17) Coordinates with other finance and budget staff to assist and address any administrative and budgetary issues, as assigned.

Competencies Professionalism: 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. Ability to identify and propose solutions for data discrepancies and operational challenges. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects 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 & 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.

Work Experience A minimum or ten years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, administrative services or related area is required. Of the ten years, at least four years of experience in monitoring and updating data in an ERP system is required. A minimum of two years of experience in simplification of processes, including process automation, is desirable. A minimum of two years of experience in identifying budgetary challenges and recommending corrective actions, which may include adjustments to existing policies, is desirable. A minimum of two years of experience in training and providing authoritative guidance on budget to junior staff, is desirable. At least one year of experience in summarizing large volumes of information in a simple and accessible format, is desirable.

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

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

Special Notice Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Staff members who were granted a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment as a result of having passed a predecessor test recognized by the Office of Human Resources Management, and who have continuously held such appointments, are not required to take the new test.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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.

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.