Senior Finance and Budget Assistant (2 positions)

Organizational Context

The Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC) leads global management strategy and policy, with the Office of Programme Planning, Finance and Budget (OPPFB) ensuring effective financial management and reporting. The Financial Reporting and Analytics Service prepares IPSAS-compliant statements. This Senior Finance and Budget Assistant role supports these functions, reporting to a Unit Head or Senior Officer.

Job Purpose

The Senior Finance and Budget Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting the financial operations of the UN Secretariat, specifically within the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance. This position is responsible for a wide range of budget and finance duties, including assisting in budget preparation, monitoring expenditures, reviewing financial transactions, and reconciling accounts. The role ensures compliance with financial regulations and policies, supports the preparation of financial statements, and provides guidance to staff. By performing these duties, the assistant contributes to the sound, effective, and efficient financial management of UN resources, ensuring the integrity of financial data and supporting informed decision-making.

Responsibilities

The Senior Finance and Budget Assistant is responsible for comprehensive budget and finance support. Key duties include acting as a Certifying Officer, reviewing and preparing programme plans, cost estimates, and budget proposals, and assisting managers with resource requirements. The role involves monitoring budget implementation, expenditures, and extra-budgetary resources, ensuring compliance with regulations. In finance, responsibilities include analyzing complex accounting transactions, reconciling investments and cash balances, auditing various financial transactions like payroll and travel claims, and assisting with year-end closing processes. The assistant also prepares financial statements for various funds, provides guidance and training on transaction processing, supervises general service staff, and responds to queries from auditors and staff. Maintaining financial databases and assisting with data analysis and reporting are also core functions.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, or administrative services is required. This is reduced to eight years with a first-level university degree. Experience with Microsoft Excel formulas, ERP systems, and overseeing financial operations for large entities is essential. Experience working with auditors is desirable.

Skills

Proficiency in UN financial rules and regulations. Ability to extract, interpret, and analyze financial data. Strong planning, organizing, and time management skills. Accountability for responsibilities and commitments. Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies. Experience with database management and ERP systems. Excel proficiency. Communication and interpersonal skills for guidance and query response.

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