Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Programme Planning and Budget Division (PPBD), Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget (OPPFB) in the Department of Management Strategy Policy and Compliance (DMSPC). The Finance and Budget Officer reports to the Chief of the Service and to the Director of PPBD. PPBD is committed to ensuring the highest standards in the preparation and presentation of programme budgets of the United Nations. These budgets are formulated in line with the agreed results-based budgeting methodology.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Finance and Budget Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Programme plan: • Reviews, analyses and finalizes the preparation of the programme plan and its revisions on the basis of departmental submissions, taking into account recommendations and decisions of specialized inter-governmental bodies. • Provides substantive support to relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies in their review of the programme plan and its revisions; assists in securing approval from the General Assembly. • Supports Departments and internal clients in the translation of legislative mandates are accurately translated into programme budgets. Budget preparation: • Supports the preparation of budget guidance to be used by Departments/offices in their budget formulation. • Reviews and analyses data with respect to the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements from Departments/offices; • Reviews, analyses and provides input into finalization of statements of programme budget implications in light of additional mandates. • Provides substantive support to relevant intergovernmental, oversight and expert bodies in their budget review; assists in securing approval from the General Assembly. • Calculates standard costs to be utilized in the formulation of budget proposals • Updates budget proposals taking into account changes in recosting parameters such as rates of exchange and inflation Budget administration: • Issues allotments, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures. • Monitors budget implementation and determines/recommends reallocation of funds when necessary. • Monitors and forecasts expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels. • Reviews and makes appropriate recommendations with respect to the finalization of budget performance reports, analysing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. • Provides substantive support to intergovernmental and legislative bodies. General: • Provides advice and guidance, including training to staff on budgetary and financial policies and procedures, including results based-budgeting, standard costs and recosting. • Provides inputs to reports and correspondence for intergovernmental bodies and for management on budgetary issues. • Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme budgets, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures; • Researches and analyses budgetary policies and procedures and recommends changes, as necessary. • Reviews and analyses data from financial and budget information systems with a view to ensuring its integrity. • Supports the review of budgetary practices and processes with a view to streamlining such practices and processes, including through automation. • Explores opportunities for the enhancement of information systems related to budgeting and proposes and tests improvements, when applicable. • Supports the preparation and presentation of summarized information to senior managers and inter-governmental and expert bodies in an attractive and accessible manner. • Provides support with respect to representation of Secretary-General in meetings of inter-governmental and expert bodies. • Represents the unit in inter and intra-departmental meetings • Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of financial principles and practices. Ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures. Ability to independently conduct research and analysis, formulate options and present conclusions and recommendations that are supported by facts. Demonstrated professional competence in budgetary and financial planning, monitoring of budget execution and reporting of budgetary and financial information. Financial and mathematical skills that facilitate the review and analysis of data. Ability to validate data and its sources, and to review, summarize and present information in a simple, accessible and attractive manner. Ability of reconcile differences and instances of non-compliance in budgetary and financial data, and propose adequate corrective actions. 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. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, finance, or related field is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in finance, budget, business or public administration, statistics, information systems or related area is required. Of the five years, at least 2 years of experience in results-based budgeting in a large international organization is required. At least one year of experience in the design, development and enhancement of programme planning processes is required. At least one year of experience in extracting financial data from ERP systems to validate its integrity and accuracy is desirable. At least one year of experience in the simplification of business processes and procedures, including automation is desirable. At least one year of experience in analysing budgetary challenges such as funding shortages and proposing policy solutions to address them is desirable. At least one year of experience in providing training on programme planning and budgetary matters is desirable. At least one year of experience in calculation the effects of changes in budgetary assumptions (e.g. salary costs, commodity prices, vacancy rates) is desirable. At least one year of experience in the calculation of standard costs to be used in the formulation of budgets is desirable. At least one year of experience in drafting financial and budgetary policies 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 an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available until 28 December 2025. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary job opening may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.