Senior Finance & Budget Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Contributions Section of the Finance Division, which is part of the Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget (OPPFB) under the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC) of the United Nations. The Contributions Section acts as the secretariat to the Committee on Contributions, providing essential support to the Committee and the General Assembly in negotiating the scale of assessments. The organization is committed to ensuring the timely issuance of assessments and maintaining accurate information regarding the status of assessed contributions. The United Nations, established in 1945, operates globally with a mission to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among nations, employing thousands of staff across various countries to fulfill its objectives.

Job Overview:
The Senior Finance & Budget Assistant plays a critical role in the financial management and budgetary processes within the United Nations. This position involves acting as a Certifying Officer in the absence of program managers, conducting thorough reviews and analyses of program plans and budget proposals, and ensuring compliance with legislative mandates. The role requires collaboration with higher-level Finance & Budget Officers to support budget reviews and the preparation of cost plans. The Assistant will monitor budget implementation, analyze expenditures, and provide recommendations for fund reallocations as necessary. Additionally, the position involves maintaining the integrity of financial databases, verifying data accuracy, and coordinating with other finance staff to prepare comprehensive budget reports. The Senior Finance & Budget Assistant is expected to stay updated on financial regulations and guidelines, ensuring adherence to UN policies and procedures while providing guidance and training to other staff members.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Finance & Budget Assistant will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including but not limited to: acting as Certifying Officer on behalf of program managers, reviewing and analyzing program plans and budget proposals, assisting in the preparation of cost estimates, monitoring budget implementation and expenditures, reviewing requisitions for goods and services, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. The Assistant will also analyze complex cost recovery transactions, assist with billing processes, reconcile clearing accounts, prepare reports for legislative bodies, approve payment and journal vouchers, and provide training to staff on transaction processing. Furthermore, the role includes drafting correspondence related to financial matters, supervising general service staff, and performing other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. A minimum of 10 years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, or administrative services is required. For candidates with a first-level university degree or higher, the minimum experience requirement is reduced to 8 years. Experience in preparing reports for legislative bodies is essential, and familiarity with revenue-generating activities is desirable. Additionally, experience in data analytics, particularly in Business Intelligence or related fields, is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a high school diploma or equivalent. However, candidates with a first-level university degree or higher will have a reduced experience requirement, highlighting the importance of educational qualifications in the selection process.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in finance, budget, accounting, or administrative services. This experience is crucial for understanding the complexities of financial management within the UN framework. Candidates with a first-level university degree or higher may qualify with 8 years of experience. Additionally, experience in preparing reports for legislative bodies and familiarity with revenue-generating activities are important aspects of the required experience.

Languages:
English is the mandatory working language for this position, with a requirement of UN Level II proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also a working language of the United Nations, and while it is not mandatory for this position, proficiency in French may be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is financed by extrabudgetary funding, and the appointment is subject to the availability of funds and budgetary approval. The initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of extension based on the availability of the post. The United Nations emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages female candidates to apply. This position is subject to local recruitment, meaning that applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Staff members recruited locally are not eligible for international allowances or benefits. The United Nations maintains a non-smoking environment and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request.