Senior Finance and Budget Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located in the UN Office for Partnerships (UN Partnerships), which serves as a vital connector within the UN system. The organization is guided by the priorities set by the UN Secretary-General and aims to foster partnerships that deliver solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UN Partnerships oversees several key initiatives, including the UN Fund for International Partnerships (UNFIP), the UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF), the SDG Advocates programme, and the SDG Strategy Hub. The office is dedicated to engaging various stakeholders and leveraging resources to support the Decade of Action for the SDGs, ensuring that the promise of these goals is kept and that solutions reach everyone, everywhere. The organization operates with a mission to enhance collaboration and co-creation among diverse partners to address global challenges effectively.

Job Overview:
The Senior Finance and Budget Assistant plays a crucial role in the financial and budgetary operations of the UN Partnerships. This position involves comprehensive trust fund management and administration throughout all phases of trust fund projects, ensuring compliance with UN regulations and established policies. The incumbent will be responsible for preparing cost estimates and budget documents, assisting Programme Managers in formulating donor project proposals, and monitoring budget implementation and expenditures. The role requires close collaboration with various stakeholders, including donor counterparts and funding agencies, to finalize contribution agreements and ensure accurate financial reporting. The Senior Finance and Budget Assistant will also maintain databases related to trust funds, analyze financial reports, and coordinate with the Accounts Division for donor contributions. This position demands a high level of professionalism, accountability, and the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently while adhering to deadlines.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Finance and Budget Assistant will undertake a wide range of responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Providing full assistance in trust fund management and implementation at all project phases, ensuring compliance with UN regulations.
• Preparing cost estimates and budget documents, and contributing to the preparation of allotments.
• Assisting Programme Managers in formulating donor project proposals.
• Monitoring budget implementation and expenditures, recommending fund reallocations as necessary.
• Preparing and coordinating remittances to partners.
• Ensuring compliance in recording pledges, contributions, and expenditures.
• Managing grants in the Umoja system, including structure, budget releases, and partner expenditures.
• Analyzing and presenting information on trust fund projects for stakeholders.
• Assisting in the establishment and closure of trust funds and projects. 1
• Maintaining databases and creating status reports on trust funds. 1
• Acting as Certifying Officer for the office's accounts. 1
• Reviewing procurement requisitions to ensure correct commitment items and fund availability. 1
• Drafting correspondence related to financial and budget matters. 1
• Providing guidance and training to junior staff in the area of responsibility.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. A minimum of ten years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, or administrative services is required. This experience is reduced to eight years for candidates with a first-level university degree or higher. Candidates must have experience in grant management and trust fund management, including reporting to donors and governing bodies. Proficiency in certifying and approving documents in ERP systems such as SAP or Umoja is essential, along with experience in preparing audit responses and budget committee inquiries. Additionally, candidates should have experience in reviewing and approving budget and finance components of project proposals and maintaining financial data quality in complex project databases.

Educational Background:
A high school diploma or equivalent is required for this position. However, candidates with a first-level university degree or higher will have their minimum experience requirement reduced, indicating that higher education is valued and can compensate for less work experience in this role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of relevant experience in finance, budget, accounting, or administrative services. This requirement is reduced to eight years for candidates who hold a first-level university degree or higher. Candidates should have substantial experience in grant management and trust fund management, including the preparation of reports for donors and governing bodies. Experience with ERP systems such as SAP or Umoja is also necessary, particularly in certifying and approving financial documents. Furthermore, candidates should have a proven track record in preparing responses for internal and external audits and budget committee inquiries, as well as reviewing and approving budget and finance components of project proposals.

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

Additional Notes:
The appointment for this position is for an initial period of one year, with the possibility of extension subject to the availability of funds and the extension of the mandate. This job opening may be limited to internal candidates who have been recruited through a competitive examination or selection process. The United Nations emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusivity in its recruitment process, ensuring that all employment decisions are made based on qualifications and organizational needs. The position is subject to local recruitment, meaning that candidates must be recruited within the country or commuting distance of the office. Staff members recruited locally are not eligible for international recruitment benefits. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.