Finance and Budget Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Common Administrative Platform (One Executive Office, or 'OneEO') at United Nations Headquarters. The organization provides administrative and operational support to various departments including the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). OneEO is part of the Division of Administration within the Department of Operational Support (DOS), which was established to deliver integrated administrative and operational services to New York-based Secretariat entities. The services provided include human resources management, finance and budget, travel, and general administrative support, all in accordance with the United Nations regulations, rules, policies, guidelines, and procedures. The DOS aims to provide end-to-end operational support and advisory services to various operating entities across the Secretariat, including other departments, offices away from headquarters, field missions, and regional commissions.

Job Overview:
The Finance and Budget Assistant will play a crucial role in supporting the financial and budgetary functions of the United Nations. This position involves reviewing, analyzing, and assisting in the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, ensuring that both staff and non-staff requirements are accurately represented. The incumbent will assist managers in developing resource requirements for budget submissions and will conduct research to support higher-level Finance and Budget Officers during budget reviews. Monitoring expenditures against approved budgets is a key responsibility, as is preparing adjustments as necessary. The role also includes reviewing requisitions for goods and services to ensure correct expenditure classifications and availability of funds. The Finance and Budget Assistant will assist in preparing budget performance submissions and finalizing budget performance reports, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. Additionally, the incumbent will monitor extra-budgetary resources, ensuring compliance with established regulations and policies, and will maintain the integrity of various financial databases. This position requires a proactive approach to keeping up-to-date with relevant documents and guidelines, drafting correspondence in response to inquiries, and potentially providing guidance and training to other staff members.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance and Budget Assistant will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties including: reviewing and analyzing cost estimates and budget proposals; assisting in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions; conducting research to support budget reviews; monitoring expenditures and preparing necessary adjustments; reviewing requisitions for goods and services; assisting in the preparation of budget performance submissions and reports; monitoring extra-budgetary resources; ensuring compliance with financial regulations; verifying accuracy of input data; coordinating with other finance and budget staff; maintaining up-to-date files; and providing guidance and training to other staff as needed. The role may also involve performing other related duties as assigned, requiring a flexible and adaptable approach to the responsibilities at hand.

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. This requirement is reduced to five years for candidates with a first-level university degree or higher. Experience in Trust Funds administration within the United Nations or a comparable international organization is essential, as is experience applying Financial Rules and Regulations in such environments. Additionally, candidates should have experience working in a finance team within an Executive Office or similar administrative office in the UN or a comparable organization. Familiarity with grants management modules of an Enterprise Resource Platform (ERP) system, such as Umoja IPMR BPC, and financial reporting modules like Umoja Analytics is desirable, as is experience in preparing budgets and performance reports.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a high school diploma or equivalent. While specific job-related qualifications are not detailed, candidates with higher education degrees may have a reduced experience requirement, indicating that further education can enhance a candidate's eligibility and competitiveness for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in finance, budget, accounting, or administrative services. However, this requirement is reduced to five years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Candidates should have substantial experience in Trust Funds administration within the United Nations or a comparable international organization, as well as experience in applying Financial Rules and Regulations in such contexts. Experience working in a finance team of an Executive Office or a similar administrative office is also required, along with familiarity with ERP systems and financial reporting.

Languages:
English is the required working language 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 Secretariat, but proficiency in French is not mandatory for this job opening. Candidates should refer to the UN Language Framework for detailed language proficiency requirements.

Additional Notes:
This position is financed by extrabudgetary resources and is temporarily available until December 31, 202

• If the selected candidate is a current staff member of the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The position is subject to local recruitment, meaning 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. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusive to international recruitment. The position offers an opportunity to gain new work experience, but it is a temporary assignment with no implications for future employment. The United Nations emphasizes the importance of efficiency, competence, and integrity in its recruitment process, and all employment decisions are made based on qualifications and organizational needs.