Senior Finance & Budget Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Common Administrative Platform at United Nations Headquarters, specifically under the One Executive Office (One EO) within the Division of Administration in the Department of Operational Support (DOS). One EO was initiated as part of the UN80 reform initiative, which began its transition phase on January 1, 202

• The mission of One EO is to consolidate common administrative functions across various Secretariat entities into unified service platforms, thereby enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in administrative operations. The organization provides a comprehensive range of administrative and operational services to New York-based Secretariat client entities, which include human resources management, financial administration, travel, and general administrative support. The One EO aims to streamline processes and improve service delivery to its clients, ensuring that they can fulfill their mandates effectively.

Job Overview:
The Senior Finance & Budget Assistant plays a crucial role in the financial and budgetary operations of the United Nations. This position involves a variety of responsibilities that are essential for the effective management of the organization's financial resources. The incumbent will act as a Certifying Officer for travel and other commitments, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and procedures. The role requires the preparation and analysis of the annual programme budget, including its revisions, and involves reviewing cost estimates and budget proposals to ensure they align with programmatic aspects and legislative mandates. The Senior Finance & Budget Assistant will also assist managers in developing resource requirements for budget submissions and provide support during budget reviews conducted by intergovernmental and expert bodies. This position is integral to monitoring budget implementation and expenditures, recommending reallocations of funds as necessary, and ensuring the integrity of financial data. The incumbent will also be responsible for drafting correspondence related to financial matters and providing guidance and training to other staff members, thereby contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the financial operations within the United Nations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Finance & Budget Assistant will undertake a comprehensive set of duties, including but not limited to: acting as Certifying Officer for travel and other commitments; reviewing, analyzing, and preparing the annual programme budget and its revisions; assisting in the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals; ensuring compliance with the annual programme plan; assisting managers in resource requirement elaboration; conducting research and providing support for budget reviews; preparing allotments and monitoring budget implementation; processing requisitions for goods and services; monitoring extrabudgetary resources; assisting in the preparation of budget performance submissions; finalizing budget performance reports; verifying the accuracy of financial data; coordinating with other finance staff; conducting technical reviews of accounting transactions; and performing other related tasks as assigned. The role also includes keeping up-to-date with financial guidelines, drafting correspondence, and assisting with data collection and analysis for reporting purposes.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. A minimum of ten years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, administrative services, or a related area is required. Experience with financial functions of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, such as Umoja, is desirable, as is experience in managing extrabudgetary resources or trust funds. Familiarity with the United Nations system and skills in data analysis and report production using analytic tools like Umoja Analytics or Power BI are also desirable. Additionally, experience in arranging official travels or providing administrative support to senior management or delegations is beneficial.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a high school diploma or equivalent. No specific job-related qualifications beyond this educational background are mentioned, indicating that practical experience and skills may be prioritized over formal qualifications.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of relevant experience in finance, budget, accounting, or administrative services. This extensive experience is crucial for understanding the complexities of financial management within the United Nations framework and for effectively performing the duties associated with the role. Candidates with experience in using ERP systems, particularly in financial functions, will have an advantage, as will those who have worked within the United Nations system or similar international organizations.

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 recognized as a working language of the United Nations, but proficiency in English is essential for this role. Candidates should refer to the UN Language Framework for detailed language proficiency requirements.

Additional Notes:
This position is available for an initial period of one year, with the possibility of extension depending on the availability of funds. It is subject to local recruitment, meaning that applicants must be authorized to work for the United Nations in New York. Those selected from outside the duty station will be responsible for their relocation expenses. Local recruits are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusive to international recruits. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and diversity in its workforce, encouraging female candidates to apply. The organization emphasizes the importance of maintaining high standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity in its recruitment processes.