Finance Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is an organization established by the UN General Assembly with the mission to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. It serves as the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat collaborates with various partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities, advocating for urbanization as a transformative force that reduces inequality, discrimination, and poverty. The organization operates globally, working in numerous countries to address urban challenges and improve living conditions.

Job Overview:
The Finance Assistant position is situated within the Budget and Finance Unit of UN-Habitat, specifically under the Management, Advisory and Compliance Service. The incumbent will work under the general guidance of the Chief of the Budget and Finance Unit and the direct supervision of the Associate Finance Officer. The role involves a variety of functions related to budget preparation, analysis" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">financial analysis, and reporting. The Finance Assistant will support the review and analysis of the medium-term plan and its revisions, prepare supporting documents for budget proposals, assist in monitoring expenditures against approved budgets, and ensure compliance with UN financial regulations. The position requires a proactive approach to financial management, with an emphasis on accuracy and attention to detail in all financial documentation and reporting.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Assistant will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties including: supporting the review and preparation of the medium-term plan and budget proposals; preparing narrative and supporting tables for cost estimates; assisting managers in resource requirement elaboration; monitoring expenditures and conducting regular reviews; preparing adjustments as necessary; reviewing requisitions for goods and services; assisting in budget performance submissions and reports; verifying accuracy of input data; coordinating with finance and budget staff; assisting in financial backstopping of trust funds; processing fund distributions; maintaining up-to-date files; drafting correspondence related to financial matters; providing guidance and training to other staff; collecting and analyzing data for reports; and performing other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Additionally, professional training in accountancy, budget, and finance is required. The role demands a strong understanding of financial rules and regulations, particularly within the UN context, and the ability to resolve discrepancies and operational issues. Candidates should demonstrate professionalism, commitment to gender equality, and effective planning and organizational skills. Client orientation and the ability to maintain productive partnerships with clients are also essential.

Educational Background:
A high school diploma or equivalent is mandatory for this position. Professional training in accountancy, budget, and finance is also a requirement, ensuring that candidates have the necessary foundational knowledge to perform the duties effectively.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, or administrative services. However, this requirement is reduced to five years for candidates who hold a first-level university degree or higher. Additionally, candidates must have at least three years of experience working with modern ERP systems, such as SAP. Experience within the UN or similar international organizations is desirable, as is experience in data analytics or related fields.

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 UN language, such as French, is considered desirable. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas: reading, writing, speaking, and understanding, while knowledge is rated as 'confident' in two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
This position is for an initial period of one year, with the possibility of extension. It is subject to local recruitment, meaning that candidates must be recruited within the country or commuting distance of the office. Staff members in this category are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusive to international recruitment. The UN is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. All applicants must ensure that their application is complete and accurate, as this information will be used to assess eligibility and suitability for the position. The UN does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.