Finance Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Capacity Development Programme Management Office (CDPMO) of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) of the United Nations. The CDPMO is responsible for providing comprehensive financial and administrative support for the management of DESA’s capacity development programmes and projects. This includes overseeing the Regular Programme of Technical Cooperation, the Development Account, and all extra-budgetary funding. The office also supports capacity development programmes of the UN Secretariat, including Junior Professional Officers and Fellowship Programmes. The CDPMO operates under the delegated authority of the Under Secretary-General of DESA and aims to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of capacity development initiatives across the UN system. The organization is committed to promoting sustainable development and social progress globally, with a focus on empowering nations and communities through capacity building and technical assistance.

Job Overview:
The Finance Officer will play a crucial role in leading the financial implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of various programmes and operations within the CDPMO. The incumbent will be responsible for reviewing and finalizing the medium-term plan based on departmental submissions, ensuring that legislative mandates are accurately reflected in programme budgets. The role involves substantial interaction with intergovernmental and expert bodies to facilitate the review and approval of budget proposals and performance reports. The Finance Officer will also be tasked with budget administration, including issuing allotments, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring compliance with UN regulations and policies. The position requires a proactive approach to financial data analysis, enabling the identification of trends and opportunities for process improvements. The incumbent will also be responsible for developing dashboards and analytical tools to support evidence-based decision-making, thereby enhancing transparency in financial performance.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Officer will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Reviewing, analyzing, and finalizing the preparation of the medium-term plan and its revisions, ensuring alignment with departmental submissions and intergovernmental recommendations.
• Providing substantive support to intergovernmental and expert bodies during their review of the medium-term plan and assisting in securing approval from the General Assembly.
• Ensuring that legislative mandates are accurately translated into programme budgets.
• Reviewing and analyzing data for the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, including staff and non-staff requirements.
• Supporting managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions.
• Issuing allotments and monitoring budget implementation, recommending reallocations of funds as necessary.
• Conducting comprehensive financial data analysis to monitor expenditures and ensure compliance with authorized levels.
• Administering and monitoring extra-budgetary resources, ensuring timely liquidation of commitments and compliance with established policies.
• Preparing documentation for budget performance submissions and reviewing budget performance reports to identify variances and opportunities for improvement. 1
• Designing and maintaining dashboards and analytical tools to support decision-making and enhance transparency. 1
• Keeping up-to-date with relevant documents and guidelines to ensure compliance with UN policies. 1
• Supervising subordinate staff as required and performing other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong knowledge of financial principles and practices, with the ability to conduct independent research and analysis. The ideal candidate will demonstrate professional competence and mastery of subject matter, showing efficiency in meeting commitments and achieving results. The Finance Officer should be motivated by professional concerns, exhibit persistence in problem-solving, and remain calm under pressure. Additionally, the candidate must take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Strong client orientation skills are essential, as the Finance Officer will need to establish productive partnerships with clients and anticipate their needs. Technological awareness is also important, with a willingness to learn and apply new technologies to enhance office operations.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Successful completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is considered an advantage, as it aligns with the analytical demands of the position.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in finance, administration, budget, or business administration is required. Candidates must have experience in financial analysis and reporting, including the design and maintenance of dashboards. Familiarity with finance and budget modules of ERP systems is essential. Experience coordinating activities related to fundraising, budgeting, and preparing documents for multi-donor trust funds is also required. Additionally, candidates should have experience providing substantive support to intergovernmental and legislative bodies and managing cost recovery processes. Experience drafting Standard Operating Procedures or operational guidelines related to budget and finance within the UN system or other international organizations is desirable.

Languages:
English is the required working language for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also a working language of the United Nations, and proficiency in French is considered an asset, although not mandatory for this position.

Additional Notes:
This position is financed by extrabudgetary funds, and the appointment is subject to the availability of the post or funds, as well as budgetary approval. Candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in their initial assignment are not eligible to apply. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, encouraging female candidates to apply. The organization emphasizes the importance of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity in its recruitment process, and candidates with a history of violations of international human rights law or other serious offenses may not be considered for employment. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities upon request.