Finance and Budget Assistant

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Finance and Budget Assistant
Location: New York City
Country: United States
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located within the Financial Reporting Service of the Finance Division, which is part of the Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget (OPPFB) under the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC) of the United Nations. The Financial Reporting Service is primarily responsible for preparing IPSAS-compliant financial statements for all funding sources, ensuring the sustainability of IPSAS-compliant accounting and reporting. The organization aims to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity in its operations, while promoting gender equality and diversity in the workplace.

Job Overview:
The Finance and Budget Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting the financial and budgetary functions of the United Nations. This position involves assisting in the preparation and analysis of budget proposals, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. The assistant will work closely with managers to elaborate resource requirements and will be responsible for preparing supporting documents for budget submissions. The role requires a strong understanding of financial rules and regulations, as well as the ability to analyze and interpret financial data. The assistant will also be involved in the preparation of financial statements and budget performance reports, ensuring accuracy and consistency in financial databases. This position is essential for maintaining the integrity of financial operations within the organization and requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and client orientation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance and Budget Assistant will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Supporting the review, analysis, and preparation of the programme plan and its revisions.
• Preparing supporting documents for budget proposals, including narrative and supporting tables.
• Assisting managers in developing resource requirements for budget submissions.
• Conducting research and providing support to higher-level Finance & Budget Officers during budget reviews.
• Monitoring expenditures against approved budgets and preparing necessary adjustments.
• Reviewing requisitions for goods and services to ensure correct expenditure charges and availability of funds.
• Assisting in the preparation of budget performance submissions and finalizing budget performance reports.
• Monitoring the integrity of financial databases and verifying the accuracy of input data.
• Scrutinizing source documents for completeness and accuracy of charges. 1
• Communicating with field offices regarding discrepancies in accounts. 1
• Reconciling suspense accounts and ensuring proper clearance procedures. 1
• Extracting details from the accounting system for analysis and verification. 1
• Preparing worksheets and assisting with financial statement preparation. 1
• Auditing various accounting transactions to ensure correctness of disbursements. 1
• Serving as Approving Officer for disbursements up to an authorized level. 1
• Providing guidance and training to colleagues as required. 1
• Drafting correspondence and responding to queries from staff members and third parties. 1
• Keeping up-to-date on relevant documents and guidelines. 1
• Assisting with data collection and analysis for reporting and decision-making. 2
• Performing other related duties as assigned.

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. Candidates with a first-level university degree or higher may qualify with a minimum of five years of relevant experience. Proficiency in using an enterprise resource planning system such as SAP in accounting/finance/budget modules is essential, along with experience in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Word, for preparing financial reports. Experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable. Knowledge of financial rules and regulations in the UN environment is crucial.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is a high school diploma or equivalent. However, candidates with a first-level university degree or higher will have a reduced experience requirement, making them eligible with five years of relevant experience instead of seven.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, administrative services, or a related area. For candidates with a first-level university degree or higher, the minimum experience requirement is reduced to five years. Additionally, candidates must have at least five years of experience using an enterprise resource planning system such as SAP in accounting, finance, or budget modules. Experience with Microsoft Office, particularly in preparing financial reports, is also required, along with a year or more of experience in data analytics or a related field being desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another official United Nations language, such as French, is considered an advantage and may enhance a candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
The position is financed by Extra-budgetary funds and is initially for a period of one year, with the possibility of renewal subject to the availability of the post or funds. This position is subject to local recruitment, meaning that applicants must be authorized to work for the United Nations in New York City. Eligible applicants 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 that are exclusive to international recruitment. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and does not discriminate based on gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, or disability. The organization emphasizes the importance of recruiting staff from a wide geographical basis and upholding the highest standards of efficiency and integrity in its employment practices.