Finance & Budget Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Payroll and Accounts Payable Section of the Division of Administration (DA) in the Department of Operational Support (DOS) of the United Nations. The Department of Operational Support was established to provide operational advisory services to various entities across the Secretariat, including departments, offices away from headquarters, field missions, and regional commissions. The organization focuses on enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness, ensuring that financial processes are streamlined and compliant with established regulations. The Payroll and Accounts Payable Section is responsible for processing global payroll and payments, providing policy advice, and implementing enhancements to financial systems. The UN operates in multiple countries worldwide, with a mission to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and human rights.

Job Overview:
The Finance & Budget Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting the financial operations of the United Nations. This position involves assisting in the preparation of budget documents, extracting and analyzing financial data, and providing support to Finance/Budget Officers in various financial tasks. The assistant will be responsible for ensuring that budget proposals are well-prepared and compliant with UN regulations. The role requires a keen understanding of financial processes, the ability to generate reports, and the capacity to identify discrepancies in financial data. The Finance & Budget Assistant will also assist in the financial backstopping of trust funds and the processing of payments, ensuring that all transactions are accurately recorded and reconciled. This position is essential for maintaining the financial integrity of the organization and supporting its operational goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance & Budget Assistant will undertake a variety of duties, including but not limited to: assisting in the preparation of budget proposals and supporting documents; extracting information from financial databases and generating expenditure reports; conducting preliminary analyses of financial data; consolidating data for budget reviews; preparing pre-encumbrances and obligations in the Integrated Management Information System (IMIS); assisting in the drafting of financial reports for the Secretary-General; verifying the accuracy of financial data; processing payments to third parties and staff members; monitoring travel claims and investigating discrepancies; recording and reconciling complex accounting transactions; and providing administrative support to the Finance/Budget Officers. The assistant will also be responsible for keeping up-to-date with relevant financial regulations and ensuring compliance with UN policies.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. A first-level university degree or higher can reduce the required work experience from five years to three years. The position requires a minimum of five years of experience in accounting, finance, budget, or administrative services. Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, such as Umoja or SAP, is essential. Familiarity with processing payroll and vendor/travel claims in an international organization is desirable. Knowledge of UN Staff Rules and Regulations, as well as financial regulations and procedures, is also preferred.

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 competitive advantage, as it reduces the required years of relevant experience. The educational background should ideally include coursework or training in finance, accounting, or a related field, which would provide the necessary skills for the financial tasks involved in this role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in accounting, finance, budget, or administrative services. For candidates with a first-level university degree or higher, the required experience is reduced to three years. Experience in using ERP systems such as Umoja or SAP is mandatory, as is experience in processing payroll and vendor/travel claims within an international organization. Familiarity with UN financial regulations and procedures is also highly desirable, as it demonstrates an understanding of the unique financial environment of the United Nations.

Languages:
English is the mandatory working language for this position, with a required proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. While French is also a working language of the United Nations, it is not specified as a requirement for this position. Candidates should ensure they meet the language proficiency standards set by the UN Language Framework to be considered for the role.

Additional Notes:
The appointment for this position is for an initial period of one year, subject to the availability of the post or funds, and budgetary approval. 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 recruitment allowances or benefits. The United Nations emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices, and candidates will be evaluated based on their qualifications and the organization's needs. The UN does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and candidates are encouraged to provide complete and accurate information in their applications.