Finance and Budget Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located in the Regional Office for the Andean Region and the Southern Cone (ROCOL) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The UNODC was established to assist Member States in their struggle against illicit drugs, crime, and terrorism. The organization aims to promote justice, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and the rule of law, and operates in various countries around the world, focusing on drug control, crime prevention, and criminal justice reform. The UNODC employs a diverse workforce dedicated to these goals, with a commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Job Overview:
The Finance and Budget Assistant will play a crucial role in supporting the financial management of the Regional Office for the Andean Region and the Southern Cone. This position involves reviewing, analyzing, and preparing the general budget of the office, ensuring compliance with UN financial rules and regulations. The assistant will provide guidance to project coordinators on financial management practices and contribute to the development of cost-saving strategies. The role requires a strong understanding of budgeting standards and the ability to analyze budget submissions, evaluate justifications, and prepare consolidated reports. The assistant will also maintain internal office accounts and act as an approving officer for disbursements, ensuring accuracy and conformity with financial regulations. This position demands a proactive approach to data analysis and reporting, as well as the ability to assist in knowledge management and decision-making processes.

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 office's general budget.
• Providing guidance to project coordinators on financial management practices and budgeting standards.
• Contributing to the development and implementation of cost-saving strategies.
• Ensuring compliance with UN financial rules and regulations.
• Analyzing budget project submissions and preparing consolidated budget and performance reports.
• Reviewing and verifying budget payment documents for accuracy and compliance.
• Preparing monthly reports on the execution of the general budget.
• Maintaining reconciliation of internal office accounts.
• Acting as an approving officer for disbursements and processing travel claims. 1
• Providing guidance and training to colleagues as needed. 1
• Supervising other Service Contract staff as required. 1
• Assisting with data collection, analysis, and preparation of presentations and reports. 1
• Updating information materials such as web pages or brochures. 1
• Performing other tasks as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. A first-level university degree or higher is preferred and will reduce the required work experience. A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible work experience in finance or accounting is required, which can be reduced to five years for candidates with a relevant degree. Experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is mandatory, and familiarity with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations or similar organizations is desirable. Experience with UMOJA/SAP is also considered an asset.

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 be preferred, as this will reduce the required years of relevant work experience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible work experience in finance or accounting. This requirement is reduced to five years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Candidates should have experience working with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, and experience with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations or similar international organizations is desirable. Familiarity with UMOJA/SAP is also an advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish and English is required for this position, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is considered an advantage, enhancing the candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
This position is subject to local recruitment, meaning that applicants must be authorized to work for the United Nations in Bogotá, Colombia. 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 reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities. The recruitment process will adhere to the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, with a focus on geographic diversity.