Org. Setting and Reporting

This positions is located in the Headquarters Client Support Service (HQCSS), Division of Administration, (DOA), Department of Operational Support (DOS), New York. The Finance and Budget Assistant will report to the Administrative Officer. The HQCSS supports the Department of Operational Support (DOS), and the Office of Information, Communication of Technology (OICT) and also provides administrative support to the Global Compact Office (GCO), Human Security Unit (HSU), Office of Administration of Justice (OAJ), Office of the Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology, United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) System-Wide Evaluation Office, Office of Special Coordinator on Improving the United Nations Response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Children and Armed Conflict (OSRSG-CAAC), Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict (OSRSG-SVC), Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children (OSRSG-VAC), Office of the United Nations Ombudsman and Mediation Services, Office of Victims’ Rights Advocate (OVRA), United Nations Ethics Office, United Nations Office for Partnerships (UNOP), United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the Trust Fund in Support of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti; Office of the Data Protection and Privacy, Liaison offices of the: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in New York, United Nations Institute for Training and Research.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Finance and Budget Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: • Monitors assessed, and extra-budgetary resources administered by the Headquarters Client Support Service, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures. • May act as Certifying Officer on behalf of and in the absence of programme managers. • Assists in the preparation of supporting documents (narrative and supporting tables) with respect to finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements. • Assists managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions. • Undertakes research, complies data and provides support to higher level Finance & Budget Officers with respect to budget reviews of relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies. • Monitors budget utilization and proposes adjustments as necessary. • Reconciles complex accounting transactions. • Reviews requisitions for goods and services to ensure (a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged, and (b) availability of funds. • Assists in the development of resource requirements for budget submissions and finalization of budget performance reports, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. • Monitors integrity of various financial databases and preparing customized reports. • Analyzes and verifies accuracy of input data, ensuring consistency of data in previous allotments to new allotments issued. • Co-ordinates with other finance and budget staff on related issues during preparation of budget reports. • Conducts transactions in Umoja such as raising pre-commitment and commitment documents, requisitions for goods and services, and funds redeployments • Conducts periodic reconciliation of accounts. • Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures. • Drafts or prepares correspondence to respond to enquiries in respect to relevant financial and budget matters. • Maintain and keep up-to-date files. • May be responsible for providing guidance, training and daily supervision to other general service staff in the area of responsibility. • Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. • Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment. Knowledge, skills and ability to extract, interpret, analyse and format data across the full range of finance and budget functions, including programme development and database management, claims and treasury operations. Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies and operational problems. Able to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. • Planning& 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. • 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 client.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, administrative services or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience in the use of information technology programs related to spreadsheets, databases (in particular MS Excel) and word processing is required. Experience using an ERP system such as Umoja is desirable. Experience working in administrative services, finance, budget, accounting within the UN Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable. Experience providing financial services to multiple clients is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.