Finance and Budget Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda and promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system. Established in 1972, UNEP serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment and plays a crucial role in coordinating responses to environmental challenges. The organization operates in over 100 countries and employs thousands of staff members dedicated to various environmental initiatives and programs.

Job Overview:
The Finance and Budget Officer position is located within the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD), specifically in the Administration Division's Finance and Budget Unit. The incumbent will be responsible for a range of financial and budgetary functions, including acting as a Certifying Officer, reviewing and analyzing budget proposals, assisting in the preparation of allotments, monitoring budget implementation, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. This role requires a strong understanding of budgetary processes and the ability to provide support to higher-level finance officers. The position also involves claims processing, treasury functions, and general administrative duties related to financial management. The successful candidate will be expected to maintain high standards of professionalism and accountability while working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Finance and Budget Officer include:

• Acting as Certifying Officer in the absence of SCBD Finance Officers.
• Reviewing and analyzing cost estimates and budget proposals, ensuring compliance with the SCBD Results-Based Budgeting (RBB) framework.
• Assisting managers in developing resource requirements for budget submissions.
• Conducting research and providing support for budget reviews of intergovernmental and expert bodies.
• Preparing allotments and monitoring budget implementation, recommending fund reallocations as necessary.
• Reviewing requisitions for goods and services to ensure correct expenditure and availability of funds.
• Monitoring extra-budgetary resources and ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Assisting in the preparation of budget performance submissions and reports.
• Processing payments to third parties and managing treasury functions, including preparing payments and monitoring cash flow. 1
• Keeping up to date with relevant financial documents and providing guidance to other staff members. 1
• Assisting in data collection and analysis for reporting and decision-making purposes.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Relevant technical training in accounting and/or finance is desirable. A minimum of ten years of experience in budget or finance-related areas is required, with a reduction of two years for candidates holding a first-level university degree. Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, particularly SAP (UN Umoja), is essential, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, and Teams. Supervisory experience is desirable, as is experience in data analysis.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a high school diploma or equivalent. Candidates with relevant technical training in accounting or finance will be given preference. A first-level university degree can reduce the required years of experience, highlighting the importance of formal education in this field.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of relevant experience in budget and finance or related areas. Candidates with a first-level university degree may have this requirement reduced by two years. Additionally, candidates must have at least three years of experience working with ERP systems, particularly in data input and export. Experience in supervising staff or managing teams is also desirable, along with at least one year of experience in data analysis or a related area.

Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French. For this position, proficiency in English is required, with a minimum level of II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking according to the UN Language Framework. Knowledge of French is considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The appointment for this position is for an initial period of one year, with the possibility of extension based on the continued existence of the mandate and availability of funding. This position is subject to local recruitment, meaning that applicants must be authorized to work in Canada. Staff members recruited locally are not eligible for international recruitment benefits. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The organization emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its workforce.