Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Strategic Planning, Budget and Finance Section, Executive Office (EO), in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in Geneva. OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA’s mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions.
The Finance and Budget Officer reports to the Chief, Strategic Planning, Budget and Finance Section.
Responsibilities
Under the general supervision of the Chief, Strategic Planning, Budget and Finance Section and within delegated authority, the Finance and Budget Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
OVERSIGHT OF FINANCIAL MATTERS: Monitor pledges, contributions, payments and allotments in accordance with the United Nations (UN) Financial Rules and Regulations, ensuring that contributions are credited, in accordance with donors’ specifications, to the correct accounts. Liaise with the Donor Relations Section (DRS) on the use of prepositioned and un-earmarked funds within OCHA’s programmes, keeping track of deadlines for the timely submission of reports to donors. Oversee procurement and inventory at Headquarters and Field offices; maintain relevant databases and files for management of assets in field offices and headquarters. Reconciliation with UNOG’s records of assets. Review and analyse monthly status of allotments and ledger accounts. Report to Programme Officers on the financial status of individual projects and global programmes, and recommend actions appropriate to the execution of OCHA’s mandate. Oversee the billing and monitoring of mobile telephone charges for completeness, accuracy and validity. Act as Certifying Officer for transactions including purchase orders relating to office supplies and equipment for Geneva Office and the field. Ascertain availability of funds relating to the creation, extension and change of level of posts, and liaise with the Human Resources Section. Liaise with the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), OCHA New York Office, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other partners regarding financial matters related to OCHA.
OVERSIGHT OF BUDGET MATTERS: Participate with the Chief of the Budget and Finance Section in the preparation of both Regular Budget and Extra-Budgetary submission to UN Headquarters. Coordinate, plan and maintain updated information on budget and available financial resources within OCHA’s emergency response framework. Monitor allotments, including redeployment of funds when necessary. Collaborate with the preparation of OCHA’s submission of programme and budget performance reports, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditure. Liaise with administrative staff in OCHA’s field offices including making periodic visits to field offices. Ensure the use sound financial and administrative procedures in field offices.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION MATTERS: Provide guidance to colleagues and junior staff on OCHA’s financial administration and management information issues and practices. Back up and replace other Finance Officers as required, and undertake other ad-hoc tasks that might be assigned by the Chief of Budget and Finance Section.
Perform other related administrative duties, as required.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM – Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Proven conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills; ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, formulate options and make recommendations. Complete, in-depth grasp of financial principles and practices; knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite; thorough knowledge of United Nations financial regulations and rules, as well as a good understanding of OCHA’s mandate and core policies.
PLANNING AND ORGANIZING – Identifies priority activities and assignments, adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.
COMMUNICATION – Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
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.
Education
An advanced university degree (Master degree or equivalent) in accounting, finance or business administration is required. A first level university degree in combination with (2) two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in finance and accounting procedures or financial administration, with extensive experience performing field-related and core financial functions is required.
Extensive work experience in managing extra-budgetary funds is required.
Experience using SAP or a similar Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP) is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.
Assessment
The evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This position is funded until 31 December 2021 with a possibility of extension. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and availability of funds. The selected candidate is expected to start as soon as possible.
• Please note that due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19 and the travel restrictions imposed by national authorities, selected candidate may be required to start the assignment/appointment remotely, in agreement with the hiring manager, and until further notice.
• A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade. However, a current staff member who holds an appointment at the G-6 or G-7 level may also apply to temporary positions in the Professional category up to and including the P-3 level, subject to meeting all eligibility and other requirements for the position. A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions, and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to section 5.7 below and staff rule 4.16 (b) (ii). Therefore, a staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments. In its resolution 66/234, the General Assembly further “stressed that the Secretary-General should not recur to the practice of temporarily filling posts in the Professional and higher categories with General Service staff members who have not passed the General Service to Professional category examination other than on an exceptional basis, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure that temporary occupation of such posts by the General Service staff shall not exceed a period of one year, effective 1 January 2013…” Consequently, eligible candidates in the General Service or related categories for temporary job openings in the Professional category that have not passed the competitive examination may be selected only on an exceptional basis endorsed by the Office of Human Resources Management where no other suitable candidate could be identified.
• Upon separation from service, including, but not limited to, expiration or termination of, or resignation from, a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment on the basis of a temporary appointment for a period of 31 days following the separation. In the case of separation from service on retirement, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment for a period of three months following the separation. This equally applies, mutatis mutandis, with respect to a former or current staff member who has held or holds an appointment in another entity applying the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and who applies for a temporary position with the Secretariat.
• 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.
• While this temporary assignment 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. An external candidate selected for this position is bound by the prevailing condition of the staff selection system under ST/AI/2010/3, as amended, and ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. A staff member holding a temporary appointment who is recruited in the Professional and above categories on a temporary appointment, and placed on a position authorized for one year or longer may not apply for or be reappointed to his/her current position within six months of the end of his/her current service. This provision does not apply to staff members holding temporary appointments and placed on positions authorized for one year or more in duty stations authorized for peacekeeping operations or special political missions.
• The expression “Internal candidates”, shall mean staff members who have been recruited after a competitive examination under staff rule 4.16 or after the advice of a central review body under staff rule 4.15.
• Please note that candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
• For information on special post allowance, please refer to ST/AI/1999/17. For more details on the administration of temporary appointments please refer to ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1.
• The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuances governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English
• 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.
• Staff members are not eligible to apply for the current temporary job opening if they are unable to serve the specified duration of temporary need before reaching the mandatory age of separation. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
• Staff member is subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
•The United Nations is Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.
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.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.