Finance/Budget Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of more than 7,000 employees. WHO's vision is to ensure that all people can attain the highest possible level of health, and it works to address global health challenges through research, policy-making, and the establishment of health standards.

Job Overview:
The Finance/Budget Assistant position within the Division of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care (PPC) at WHO is crucial for the financial planning, management, and reporting of various health-related projects. The role involves assisting the Programme Officer in developing budgets, coordinating work plans, and ensuring compliance with financial guidelines. The assistant will be responsible for preparing regular financial reports, monitoring project expenditures, and providing procedural guidance to departmental staff. This position requires a strong understanding of financial management within the context of health programs and the ability to analyze financial data to support decision-making processes. The Finance/Budget Assistant will also liaise with various stakeholders to gather necessary financial information and assist in the overall financial governance of the HRP projects.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide assistance in financial planning, management, and reporting of HRP projects, including budget development and work planning coordination.
• Monitor project expenditures to ensure compliance with work plans and budgets, providing guidance on financial guidelines.
• Prepare regular financial reports and analyses for senior staff, advising on budget reprogramming as necessary.
• Review financial reports from institutions under TSA arrangements to ensure compliance with WHO procedures.
• Assist in forecasting financial requirements for new projects and manage award creation and distribution.
• Conduct regular monitoring of transactions for inter-regional projects and compile financial statements.
• Liaise with departmental and divisional staff for cross-cutting data and financial information needed for evaluations and audits.
• Respond to routine and ad hoc queries related to budget and finance, ensuring accuracy in financial documentation.
• Perform other related duties as requested by supervisors.

Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include completion of secondary or commercial school with a focus on administration and accountancy. Candidates should demonstrate skills in budget, finance, and procurement, with the ability to analyze data and recommend actions. A mature judgment and the ability to detect financial discrepancies are crucial. Desirable qualifications include training in UN accounting/finance systems and formal certification in accounting or financial management, which would enhance the candidate's profile.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have completed secondary education with a focus on administration and accountancy. Additional training in UN accounting or finance systems is advantageous, and formal training or certification in accounting or financial management is considered an asset.

Experience:
The position requires at least eight years of experience in relevant administrative and finance roles, with a strong emphasis on budget and finance management. Experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform, such as Oracle or SAP, is essential. Desirable experience includes working within WHO or another United Nations organization, which would provide familiarity with the specific financial regulations and procedures of the UN system.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of English is essential for this position, along with intermediate knowledge of French. Proficiency in these languages is necessary to communicate effectively within the organization and with external partners.

Additional Notes:
The position offers an attractive remuneration package, including an annual net base salary starting at CHF 87,183, along with 30 days of annual leave. The role is subject to local recruitment, meaning candidates must be located in the local commuting area of Geneva. WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, and all candidates will undergo background verification. Staff members are expected to confirm vaccination status as required by WHO before undertaking assignments.