Finance and Budget Assistant

Organizational Context

The Department of Operational Support provides advisory services across the UN Secretariat, including field missions and regional commissions. The Payroll and Accounts Payable Section handles global payroll and payments. This Finance and Budget Assistant role is within this Section, reporting to the Chief.

Job Purpose

The Finance and Budget Assistant supports the Payroll and Accounts Payable Section by assisting in budget preparation, resource development, and expenditure reporting. This includes preparing supporting documents, extracting and analyzing financial data, and monitoring budget performance. The role also involves processing payments, verifying claims, reconciling accounts, and responding to financial queries. Additionally, the assistant ensures compliance with UN financial regulations and procedures, maintains records, and provides administrative support for budget and finance-related activities.

Responsibilities

Assist in preparing budget proposals, cost estimates, and resource requirements, including narrative and supporting tables. Extract and analyze expenditure data from financial systems, highlighting discrepancies for review. Support budget performance reporting by analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. Process and verify payments for staff entitlements, vendors, governments, and claims (e.g., death and disability, contingent-owned equipment, travel). Reconcile complex accounting transactions and bank accounts in various currencies. Prepare and review pre-encumbrances and obligations in UMOJA, ensuring fund availability and correct account usage. Draft financial aspects of reports for intergovernmental bodies and assist with financial backstopping of trust funds. Respond to financial and budget-related queries and maintain financial records.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of experience in accounting, finance, budget, or administrative services is required. This is reduced to three years with a first-level university degree. Experience with ERP systems (e.g., Umoja, SAP) and processing payroll/vendor/travel claims in an international organization is mandatory. Experience with UN Staff Rules and Financial Regulations is desirable.

Skills

Professionalism in applying UN financial rules and regulations; data extraction, interpretation, and analysis; problem-solving; record maintenance; planning and organizing; client orientation.

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