Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Finance and Budget Unit of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), duty station Abyei. The incumbent will report to the Chief Operations and Resources Management or their designate. This position has a functional reporting relationship to the Controller, OPPBA.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Chief Finance and Budget Officer will be responsible for the following duties: – Supports with the development of the mission’s annual budget development programme, providing supervision and coordination with respect to the establishment of major resourcing priorities, prepare cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of mission’s resourcing requirements such as staff and non-staff requirements, including programmatic aspects; review, analyze and revise data with respect to the finalization of the budget proposals as well as Results Based Budgeting inputs. – Plans and oversees the preparation, review and finalization of budget performance reports in compliance with the Legislative requirements and recommendations and Controller’s instructions; review and ensures valid variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. – Prepares inputs to the UN’s legislative processes for consideration of mission financing requirements by FBFP, Controller’s Office, the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) and the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly. –
Administrates the allotments of the mission in line with the updated policy on administration of allotments including advise, guidance and approval of redeployment/reallocation of funds in line with implementation of planned and/or prioritized activities. – Ensures the efficient and effective use of budgetary resources through robust monitoring of budget utilization to the approved budget and timely provision of information to mission management for decision making; provide support and guidance to fund centre/programme managers on budget implementation and corrective actions where necessary. – Administer and monitor extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures. – Plans, oversees and prepares the closing of the monthly and Year-End Accounts of the Mission ensuring full resolution of all open items, bank reconciliations, Account Receivables and Payables and Clearing accounts; endorses and guides the financial entries for Real Estate assets; certifies the monthly and year-end accounts in accordance with requirements of the Controller prior to submission – Supervises and guides the processing of payments for goods and services received ensuring that the established procedures including availability of appropriate supporting documents for the processing of payments are adhered to – Oversees the preparation of staff members’ entitlements including claims, danger pay, daily subsistence allowance, mission subsistence allowance, volunteer living allowance and any other allowances for payment in conformity and adherence to applicable United Nations policies e.g. staff rules, financial regulations and rules, ST/AI issuances or practices or practices, IPSAS policy framework, etc. – Supervises the disbursement processes of the mission; monitors the house bank account balances and transaction summaries; follows up on delayed and/or returned/rejected payments and unidentifiable deposits with banks/manages cash flow requirements. – Oversees timely reconciliation of the bank statements for the Mission house banks – Oversees timely preparation of year-end reports for the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) on all pension contributions made by national staff – Prepare financial reports that informs and meets the need for senior management of the mission, programme and fund centre managers throughout the mission, relevant external stakeholders as well as those acting on behalf of the mission at UNHQ – Provides advice, financial interpretations, adaptations and corrective actions in response to audits and other queries to ensure adherence to the UN Financial Regulations and Rules, Staff Rules, Administrative Instructions, Bulletins and Circulars – Acts as Certifying Officer under Financial Rule 105.5 or Approving Officer under Financial Rule 105.4 in adherence with the UN Regulations and Rules – Perform other duties as may be assigned.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary. CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
Education
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, accounting, finance, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with relevant years of experience in financial management, accounting or other related field, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Professional recognition as a Certified Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant of their equivalent is desirable.
Job – Specific Qualification
Professional recognition as a Certified Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant of their equivalent is desirable.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in cost management and budget formulation, cost control and monitoring, accounting and financial reporting, or analysis and interpretation of financial results is required. Experience working in a United Nations common system (Peacekeeping field operations, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) – or similar international organization or non-governmental organization in a volatile, conflict or post conflict setting is required. Experience in analyzing accounting transactions and open items in the accounting systems, clearing accounts, investigating erroneous/invalid entries and recommending corrective account action is required. Experience with budgetary procedures, policies, and practices in an international organization is required Experience in trust fund management, budget preparation, resource planning, and monitoring and analyzing budget implementation is required Experience in cost recovery policies and procedures is desirable. Ability to represent budget and finance issues to internal and external clients as a service provider is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable.