Senior Finance and Budget Assistant

Organizational Context

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, aims to drive ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa, aligning with the 2030 SDGs and Agenda 2063. This Senior Finance and Budget Assistant role is situated within the Facilities Management Section of the Administration & Conference Management Division, reporting to the Chief.

Job Purpose

The Senior Finance and Budget Assistant plays a crucial role in managing the financial operations of the Facilities Management Section. This involves handling allotment advices, monitoring approved budgets for projects and activities, and reviewing appropriations to ensure efficient resource utilization. The position requires meticulous tracking of financial expenditures against procurement and activity plans, preparing financial analyses and reports for management, and advising units on proper fund usage and financial procedures. A key aspect is ensuring compliance with IPSAS requirements, proper accounting of assets, and following up on audit recommendations. The role also involves operating UMOJA for financial transactions, processing payments, and ensuring the correctness of procurement requests in line with UN regulations.

Responsibilities

The Senior Finance and Budget Assistant is responsible for managing allotment advices and monitoring approved budgets for all section projects and activities, including reviewing appropriations. This involves collaborating with Unit Heads to prepare budgets and activity plans, distributing allotted budgets, and tracking appropriations with monthly reporting. The role includes comparing financial usage against plans, preparing financial analyses, and advising units on fund usage and procedures. Responsibilities extend to implementing IPSAS accounting procedures, ensuring proper recording and reporting of assets, and following up on audit recommendations. The assistant will operate UMOJA for financial actions, create pre-encumbrances and obligation documents, process consultant claims, and ensure procurement requests align with UN financial rules and manuals. Additionally, the role involves preparing annual budget proposals, monitoring budget implementation, analyzing variances, and maintaining financial databases. The position also requires managing consultant contracts and processing payments to third parties, acting as a certifying officer when needed.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressive experience in finance, budget, accounting, or administrative services is required. This requirement is reduced to eight years for candidates with a first-level university degree. Proficiency in MS Word and Excel is necessary. Experience with UMOJA and data analytics is desirable.

Skills

Professionalism, Teamwork, Planning & Organizing, data analysis, financial rules and regulations, budget management, IPSAS, UMOJA, MS Office Suite (Word, Excel).

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