Senior Finance and Budget Assistant

Organizational Context

This position is within the Common Administrative Platform (One Executive Office) at UN Headquarters, part of the Department of Operational Support. One EO consolidates administrative functions across Secretariat entities as part of the UN80 reform, providing comprehensive services including financial administration to New York-based entities. The role is situated within the Finance Desk.

Job Purpose

The Senior Finance and Budget Assistant will provide crucial support to the Finance Desk within the One Executive Office at UN Headquarters. This role involves acting as a Certifying Officer for commitments, preparing and reviewing annual budgets and cost estimates, and monitoring budget implementation. The position ensures compliance with UN financial regulations and procedures, processes requisitions, manages extrabudgetary resources, and assists in budget performance reporting. Additionally, the role involves technical review of accounting transactions, providing guidance to junior staff, and supporting audits, all contributing to the efficient financial administration of Secretariat entities.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include serving as a Certifying Officer for travel and other commitments. The role involves reviewing, analyzing, and preparing annual program budgets and revisions, as well as cost estimates and budget proposals, ensuring compliance with mandates. This includes assisting managers with resource requirements and providing research support for budget reviews. The position monitors budget implementation and expenditures, recommending fund reallocations. Processing requisitions for goods, services, and travel, and verifying correct expenditure, fund availability, and adherence to administrative instructions are essential. The role also entails monitoring extrabudgetary resources, assisting in budget performance submissions and finalization, and analyzing variances. A critical function is the technical review of accounting transactions, working with substantive offices to resolve outstanding items. General duties include staying updated on financial guidelines, responding to inquiries, providing guidance and supervision to staff, and assisting with data analysis and reporting for decision-making. Support for audits and drafting agreements are also included.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, or administrative services is required. Experience with ERP systems like Umoja, managing extrabudgetary resources, and familiarity with the UN system are desirable.

Skills

Professionalism in applying UN financial rules and procedures; ability to extract, interpret, and analyze financial data; problem-solving skills; planning and organizing abilities; technological awareness and willingness to learn new technology.

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