Senior Finance and Budget Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is a United Nations entity established to promote dialogue and understanding among different cultures and societies. UNAOC aims to build bridges between communities and foster mutual respect and harmony through its initiatives. The organization operates globally, focusing on five key pillars: Education, Youth, Migration, Media, and Women as peace mediators. UNAOC serves as a convener and facilitator, bringing together various sectors of society to strengthen intercultural and interreligious dialogue. The organization is committed to addressing issues of hostility and promoting collective political will to achieve its mission.

Job Overview:
The Senior Finance and Budget Assistant plays a crucial role in the financial management and budgetary processes of UNAOC. Reporting to the Head of the Administration Unit and under the overall supervision of the UNAOC Director, the incumbent is responsible for a wide range of financial duties. These include acting as a Certifying Officer, preparing and analyzing budget proposals, monitoring budget implementation, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. The position requires a strong understanding of financial rules and the ability to analyze and interpret financial data. The Senior Finance and Budget Assistant will also assist in the preparation of budget performance reports and provide support to higher-level finance and budget officers. This role is essential for maintaining the integrity of financial databases and ensuring that all financial transactions are processed accurately and efficiently.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Finance and Budget Assistant will undertake various responsibilities, including but not limited to: acting as Certifying Officer in the absence of program managers; preparing and reviewing budget proposals and cost estimates; monitoring budget implementation and expenditures; processing payments to third parties; preparing payments for disbursement; liaising with banks regarding payment instructions; assisting in the preparation of budget performance submissions; and providing guidance and training to other staff members. The incumbent will also be responsible for drafting correspondence related to financial matters, maintaining financial databases, and ensuring compliance with United Nations policies and procedures. Additionally, the role involves assisting in the collection and analysis of data for reporting purposes and performing other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent, with training in accounting or finance being desirable. A minimum of ten years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, or a related area is required. This experience is reduced to eight years for candidates with a first-level university degree or higher. At least five years of experience in managing extra-budgetary resources and two years in trust-fund management and grant-management modules in ERP systems such as SAP or Umoja are also required. Candidates should have experience in reviewing budget and finance components of project proposals and maintaining financial data quality in complex project databases.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position includes a high school diploma or equivalent. Additional training in accounting or finance is considered desirable, indicating that candidates with formal education in these fields may have an advantage in the selection process.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of relevant experience in finance, budget, accounting, or a related area. This requirement is reduced to eight years for candidates who hold a first-level university degree or higher. Candidates should have substantial experience in the administration and management of extra-budgetary resources, as well as experience in trust-fund management and grant-management modules in ERP systems. Experience in preparing budget and performance reports is also desirable, along with a strong background in maintaining financial data quality for program management.

Languages:
English is the mandatory working language for this position, with a required proficiency level of UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also a working language of the United Nations Secretariat, but it is not specified as a desirable language for this position. Candidates must demonstrate their proficiency in English as part of the application process.

Additional Notes:
This position is subject to local recruitment, meaning that applicants must be authorized to work in the USA. The appointment is for an initial period of one year, and candidates selected for this position will not be eligible for allowances or benefits applicable to international recruitment. The United Nations emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its workforce and is committed to creating a respectful work environment. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities during the recruitment process. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.