Finance and Budget Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Programme Planning and Budget Division (PPBD) of the Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget (OPPFB) in the Department of Management Strategy Policy and Compliance (DMSPC) of the United Nations. The PPBD is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in the preparation and presentation of programme budgets for the United Nations, ensuring that these budgets align with the results-based budgeting methodology agreed upon by member states. The organization operates globally, with a mission to promote international cooperation and maintain peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security through effective financial management and budgetary oversight.

Job Overview:
The Finance and Budget Officer plays a critical role in the preparation, analysis, and finalization of the programme plan and its revisions based on departmental submissions. This position requires providing substantive support to intergovernmental and expert bodies during their review processes, ensuring that legislative mandates are accurately translated into programme budgets. The officer will also be responsible for preparing budget guidance for departments, reviewing cost estimates, and providing input into budget performance reports. The role demands a high level of professionalism and expertise in financial principles, as well as the ability to conduct research and analysis to inform budgetary decisions. The Finance and Budget Officer will also be involved in monitoring budget implementation, forecasting expenditures, and providing training and guidance to staff on budgetary policies and procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance and Budget Officer will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including: reviewing and finalizing the programme plan and its revisions; providing support to intergovernmental bodies in their budget reviews; assisting in securing approval from the General Assembly; preparing budget guidance for departments; analyzing data for cost estimates and budget proposals; issuing allotments and monitoring budget implementation; reviewing budget performance reports; providing training to staff on financial policies; and ensuring compliance with United Nations policies and procedures. The officer will also be responsible for researching budgetary practices, proposing improvements, and representing the unit in inter-departmental meetings.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong knowledge of financial principles and practices, with the ability to apply financial rules and regulations effectively. The role requires demonstrated competence in budgetary planning, monitoring, and reporting, as well as the ability to conduct independent research and analysis. Candidates should have strong financial and mathematical skills, the ability to validate data, and experience in reconciling budgetary discrepancies. Professionalism, teamwork, and effective planning and organizing skills are essential for success in this position.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, finance, economics, statistics, data science, information technology, political science, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) combined with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in finance, budget, business, public administration, statistics, or related areas is required. Candidates should have at least two years of experience using data to inform decisions and strategies, including summarizing and presenting insights from large data sets. Experience with financial systems or ERP systems such as Oracle, SAP, or PeopleSoft is also required, along with two years or more of experience in self-service analytics and data visualization applications or business intelligence tools. Experience in providing direct support on budgetary issues to intergovernmental bodies and in results-based budgeting in a large international organization is desirable.

Languages:
English is required 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, and proficiency in French is considered an asset but not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is subject to the United Nations' commitment to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from underrepresented member states. The recruitment process emphasizes the importance of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will undergo reference checks and may be subject to an initial probationary period of one year. The United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities.