Associate Project Officer (Budget and Finance)

Job Posting Organization:
UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, was established in 1945 with the mission to contribute to peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security by promoting international collaboration through educational, scientific, and cultural reforms. The organization operates in over 190 countries and has a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. UNESCO aims to build peace in the minds of men and women, and its work encompasses a wide range of areas including education, natural sciences, social/human sciences, culture, communication, and information.

Job Overview:
The Associate Project Officer (Budget and Finance) position is crucial for providing comprehensive financial management and budget administration support for the projects Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future (O3) and O3 PLUS. The role involves working under the authority of the Director of the Harare Regional Office and the Senior Operations Officer, ensuring that financial operations align with UNESCO's policies and procedures. The officer will be responsible for budget planning, preparation, monitoring, and financial management, acting as a certifying officer to ensure compliance with regulations. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including programme/project responsible officers and donors, to ensure effective budget execution and reporting. The officer will also provide guidance on financial interpretations and support in donor reporting, ensuring timely and accurate financial documentation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Associate Project Officer (Budget and Finance) include:

• Budget Planning and Preparation: Collaborate with the Senior Operations Officer to provide inputs for budget preparation and review, assist in finalizing cost estimates, and ensure compliance with donor agreements.
• Budget Monitoring: Ensure timely entry of budget data, monitor budget execution, and provide advice on budget revisions.
• Financial Management: Act as Certifying Officer, ensuring compliance with financial regulations, monitor commitments and payments, and analyze accounting transactions.
• Reporting: Support project officers in donor reporting and liaise with headquarters to ensure timely preparation of donor reports.
• Compliance: Ensure adherence to UNESCO's rules, regulations, policies, and procedures throughout all financial processes.
• Project Closure: Ensure timely execution of project closure actions in line with agreements and regulations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or a closely related field. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate strong analytical and organizational skills, the ability to lead and supervise teams, and experience in implementing internal control systems. Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential, along with the ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish good working relationships with various stakeholders.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or closely related fields is required. Additional technical training in accounting or finance (such as CPA, ACCA) is desirable and may enhance a candidate's qualifications for the position.

Experience:
A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in administration, finance, accounting, or related areas is required. Experience in international organizations or United Nations agencies is considered an asset and may provide candidates with a competitive advantage.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English, both written and spoken, is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is a project appointment with a duration of 1 year. It is open to both internal and external candidates, but only Zimbabwean nationals are eligible to apply. The position offers a competitive salary, with an approximate annual starting salary of 49,862 USD, along with benefits such as 30 days of annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance, and a pension plan. The selection process may include pre-recorded video interviews, written assessments, and reference checks. Candidates are encouraged to apply online by the specified deadline, and all applications will be treated with confidentiality.