Senior Finance and Budget Assistant

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UNECA - Economic Commission for Africa

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Tuesday 26 Jul 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 2,372 USD.

Salary for a G-7 contract in Dakar

The salary of a G-7 depends on the duty station. The minimum salary there is 1,443,917 XOF (~2,372 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 ECA's mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.

The mission will be guided by ECA's five strategic directions which are advancing ECA's position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent's problems and take local solutions to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa's position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.

The African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP), located in Dakar (Senegal), is headed by a Director and is accountable to the Deputy Executive Secretary (Programme). IDEP is a subsidiary and training arm of ECA and is responsible for improving public sector management and development planning in support of member States' structural transformation. The core functions of IDEP are as follows: contributing to enhancing the capacity of member States for better participatory development planning, including long-term visioning, sectoral policy design and planning and urban and regional planning; contributing to strengthening the capacity of member States to develop and adopt better approaches to economic policy formulation, management, monitoring and evaluation; contributing to enhancing the capacity of African countries to autonomously deploy development planning tools to achieve structural transformation of their economies and societies; and investing in capacity development, advisory and policy dialogue programmes and activities targeted at the mid-career and senior officials of African Governments, with special attention given to the next generation of younger professionals and women officials.

This position is located in the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), located in Dakar, Senegal.

Responsibilities Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Administrative Officer and within delegated authority, the Senior Finance and Budget Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

Budget: - Acts as Certifying Officers on behalf of and in the absence of programme managers at offices outside headquarters. - 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. - Assists in the preparation of budget performance submissions. - Assists in finalization of budget performance reports, analysing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. - 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.

Claims: - 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 optimise workflow and customer orientation. - Monitors/reviews methods used to remit payments. - Assist in preparation of periodical reports: cash flow, contributions, etc. - Follows-up on audit recommendations. - Follows-up on fraud cases. - Assists cashier 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.

  • 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.

Supplemental courses/ training in finance, administration, project management or a related field is desirable.

Job - Specific Qualification Passing the UN's Global General Services Test (GGST) is required. Please refer to the Special Notice section for additional information about the GGST.

Work Experience A minimum of 10 ten years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, administrative services or related area is required.

Experience using Umoja or a similar system is desirable.

Experience with IPSAS accounting standards is desirable.

Experience related to procurement and resource mobilization is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in French is required; knowledge of English 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 a competency-based interview.

Special Notice 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. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test [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.

This position is subject to local recruitment under staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules. All staff in the General Services 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.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance 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.

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.

The appointment or assignment and renewal thereofare subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

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 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org