Finance and Budget Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Payroll and Accounts Payable Section of the Division of Administration, Department of Operational Support (DOS) of the United Nations. The DOS 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 Payroll and Accounts Payable Section is responsible for processing global payroll and payments, providing travel finance support, managing consultant payments, vendor payments, and offering policy advice and operational guidance. The section also engages in testing and implementing enhancements to its processes.

Job Overview:
The Finance and Budget Assistant plays a crucial role in the financial operations of the United Nations by managing travel and other claims, finance-related tasks, and budget preparation. The assistant is expected to review and analyze payments related to travel expenses, ensuring accuracy and compliance with UN regulations. This position requires a strong understanding of financial rules and the ability to handle various financial transactions, including payroll and vendor payments. The assistant will also support budget preparation and performance monitoring, ensuring that expenditures align with approved budgets. The role involves providing training to new staff and assisting with urgent projects, making it essential for the candidate to possess strong organizational and client-oriented skills.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance and Budget Assistant will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including: reviewing and preparing payments for travel expense reports and training-related expenses; analyzing and clearing travel-related open items; responding to client inquiries via email and meetings; scrutinizing source documents for accuracy; investigating erroneous charges; reconciling suspense accounts; preparing financial statements; auditing accounting transactions; serving as an Approving Officer for disbursements; supporting budget preparation and performance submissions; monitoring expenditures; and providing guidance and training to colleagues. The assistant will also be involved in supervising payment remittance methods and investigating non-receipt of payments.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. A minimum of seven years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, or administrative services is required, with a reduction to five years for those holding a first-level university degree or higher. Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, such as Umoja or SAP, is essential, as is experience in processing travel disbursements and familiarity with UN systems and procedures. Knowledge of CPM mechanisms and procedures is desirable.

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

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in finance, budget, accounting, or administrative services. Candidates with a first-level university degree or higher can qualify with five years of experience. Experience with ERP systems and travel disbursement processing is mandatory, while experience with UN systems is preferred.

Languages:
English is required 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 knowledge of French is considered an asset but not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This is a temporary position for an initial period of six months, subject to availability of funds and budgetary approval. The position is open to local recruitment, meaning candidates must be based in the country or within commuting distance. The United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Candidates must adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, and those with a history of violations of law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law or misconduct will not be considered.