Senior Finance and Budget Assistant

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UNESCWA - Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

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Application deadline 2 years ago: Thursday 10 Mar 2022 at 23:59 UTC

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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.

Salary

The salary for this job should be more than 5,063 USD.

Salary for a G-7 contract in Beirut

The salary of a G-7 depends on the duty station. The minimum salary there is 5,063 USD Please note that depending on the location, a higher post adjustment might still result in a lower purchasing power.

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Org. Setting and Reporting The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA - unescwa.org) forms part of the United Nations Secretariat and, like the other regional commissions, operates under the supervision of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. ESCWA comprises 20 Arab countries in Western Asia and North Africa. ESCWA provides a framework for the formulation and harmonization of sectoral policies for member countries, a platform for congress and coordination, a home for expertise and knowledge, and an information observatory. ESCWA activities are coordinated with the divisions and main offices of the Headquarters of the United Nations, specialized agencies, and international and regional organizations, including the League of Arab States and its subsidiary bodies, and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

This position is within the Financial Management Services Section (FMSS), Resource Management and Service Development Division (RMSDD) of ESCWA.

The Senior Finance & Budget Assistant will be under the overall supervision of Chief, FMSS.

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

Budget: - Acts as Certifying Officer on behalf of and in the absence of programme mangers at offices outside headquarters for all types of funding. - Undertakes reviews, analyses and preparation of the medium-term plan and its revisions. - Reviews, analyses and assists in the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements, including programmatic aspects; ensures compliance with the medium-term plan and other legislative mandates. - Assists managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions. - Undertakes research and provides support to higher level Finance & Budget Officers with respect to budget reviews of relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies. - Provides input into the preparation of allotments, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures. - Monitors budget implementation/expenditures and recommends reallocation of funds as necessary. - Reviews requisitions for goods and services to ensure (a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged, and (b) availability of funds. - Monitors extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures. - Monitors integrity of various financial databases. - Verifies accuracy of input data, ensuring consistency of data in previous allotments to new allotments issued. - Co-ordinates with other finance and budget staff on related issues during preparation of budget reports. - Analyses complex accounting transactions and claims for travel entitlements, invoices, etc. Makes recommendations to Chief of Unit/Section on appropriate follow-up procedures. - Prepares worksheets and analyses accounts. Assists in the preparation of financial statements for various funds, e.g., general, technical co-operation, revenue and other special accounts.

Accounts: - Reviews, analyses and processes payments to third-parties, commercial entities, individuals and troop-contributing countries, with respect to settlement of certified death and disability, contingent-owned equipment, stores, pay and allowances, and letters of assist claims.

Treasury: - Reviews incoming payment instructions with regard to banking details and sources of funds. - Prepares payments for final disbursement by Cashier. - Dispatches payment instructions and cheques to banks. - Creates receipts and deposits for all incoming funds. - Notifies payees of status of payments. - Assists staff members, Fund Management Officers and donors regarding queries on payment and deposit-related issues. - Identifies and annotates bank account movements. Monitors bank balances worldwide. - Assists Cashier in cash management and investment issues, including cash flow forecasts. - Liaises with banks worldwide regarding outstanding items and payment instructions. - Investigates complaints on non-receipts. - Monitors cheque stock and orders new stock as required. - Reviews inter and intra-unit processes with aim to optimize workflow and customer orientation. - Monitors/reviews methods used to remit payments. - Assists in preparation of periodical reports: cash flow, contributions, etc. - Follows-up on audit recommendations. - Follows-up on fraud cases. - Assists eCashier in the daily operation of the Cashier’s Unit responsible for the transmittal of payments worldwide. - Files and archives as required.

General: - Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme and/or peacekeeping budgets, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures. - Drafts or prepares correspondence to respond to enquiries in respect to relevant financial and budget matters. - Provides guidance, training and daily supervision to other general service staff in the area of responsibility. - Performs other related duties, 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, claims and treasury operations. Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies and operational problems. 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.

    Education High school diploma or equivalent is required.

    Work Experience At least 10 (ten) years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, or related area is required.

    At least 3 (three) years of experience in using an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system Is required.

    At least 3 (three) years of experience in International Public Accounting Standards (IPAS) is required.

    At least 5 (five) years of experience in the preparation of Financial Statements is desirable.

    Experience in the analysis of complex accounting transactions is desirable.

    Experience in managing contributions from donors is desirable.

    Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. In addition, Arabic is a working language at ESCWA.

For this position, fluency in English is required. Fluency in Arabic is desirable.

Note: "Fluency" equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and "Knowledge of" equals a rating of "confident" in two of the four areas.

Assessment 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 when they are short-listed for a job opening. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) in English at the United Nations Headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia may be accepted in lieu of the GGST per applicable eligibility guidelines.

Evaluation of qualified candidates will include assessment(s) and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice 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.

This position is available for one year from the date of appointment/assignment. Extension of the appointment/assignment is subject to availability of funds, extension of the mandate, continued need for services, and satisfactory performance.

Candidates are fully responsible for all arrangements and costs for attending all assessments and interviews. All candidates shall receive the same notice period for attending the assessments and interviews.

A formal offer of appointment shall not be issued unless the candidates has the legal right to live and work in Lebanon. The candidate is fully responsible for all costs and arrangements related to travel and relocation (including visas and permits) to the duty station and for continued employment at ESCWA.

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.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: careers.un.org