Finance and Budget Officer

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Position Title: Finance and Budget Officer
Location: Nairobi
Country: Kenya
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, known as UN-Habitat, is an agency established by the United Nations General Assembly. Its mission is to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities, aiming to provide adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat works to transform urban areas into safer, healthier, and greener places, enhancing opportunities for all residents to live with dignity. The organization collaborates with various stakeholders, including government entities, civil society, and the private sector, to facilitate sustainable urban development across the globe. UN-Habitat operates in numerous countries, focusing on improving the living conditions of the urban poor and ensuring that urbanization is a positive force for all.

Job Overview:
The Finance and Budget Officer position is situated within the Finance and Budget Section of the Management Advisory and Compliance Service (MACS) at UN-Habitat Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The role involves significant responsibilities in planning, organizing, and managing the preparation of the medium-term plan and its revisions based on departmental submissions. The incumbent will work closely with intergovernmental and expert bodies to ensure that legislative mandates are accurately reflected in program budgets. The position requires proactive engagement in budget preparation, administration, and accounting, ensuring compliance with UN regulations and policies. The Finance and Budget Officer will also provide substantive support to relevant bodies in budget reviews and secure necessary approvals from the General Assembly and the UN-Habitat Assembly/Executive Board. This role is crucial for maintaining the integrity of financial systems and ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to meet organizational goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance and Budget Officer will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Supporting the planning and management of the medium-term plan, ensuring alignment with departmental submissions and intergovernmental recommendations.
• Coordinating the review of budget submissions, analyzing cost estimates, and finalizing budget proposals in compliance with legislative mandates.
• Managing the preparation of budget submissions from various managers and providing guidance on budgetary policies and procedures.
• Overseeing budget administration, including monitoring expenditures and managing allotments and sub-allotments.
• Directing the financial functions of the organization, ensuring compliance with IPSAS and preparing annual financial statements.
• Providing training and support to staff on budgetary and financial policies, and participating in inter-departmental meetings to address resource requirements.
• Preparing reports for intergovernmental bodies and management on budgetary issues, and making recommendations for policy changes.
• Acting as Certifying Officer to ensure compliance with financial regulations and rules.
• Leading a team in data collection and analysis to support decision-making and reporting. 1
• Performing other related duties as assigned by the Director of MACS.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in finance and budget management, with a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in finance, administration, or related fields. They should have at least five years of experience in implementing International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and three years of experience in preparing and defending policy decisions to intergovernmental bodies. Experience in preparing financial statements for large international organizations and developing training on financial arrangements is desirable. Proficiency in financial analysis and the use of ERP systems is also required, along with the ability to interpret and analyze data effectively.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, or a related field is required for this position. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted. Completion of programs in data analytics or business analytics is desirable, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of ten years of relevant experience in finance, administration, or program management. Candidates should have substantial experience in IPSAS and in preparing financial statements for large organizations. Experience in training and capacity building related to financial management is also beneficial, as is familiarity with data analytics.

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 UN official language, such as French, is desirable and would enhance a candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
This is a Regular Budget post with an initial appointment period of one year, subject to extension. The United Nations encourages applications from candidates from under-represented Member States. The organization is committed to achieving gender balance and diversity in its workforce, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Staff members are expected to adhere to the authority of the Secretary-General and may be assigned to various functions throughout their careers. The recruitment process is free of charge, and the United Nations does not request any fees from applicants.