Finance and Budget Assistant
Organizational Context
The Department of Operational Support (DOS) provides comprehensive operational support across the UN Secretariat. The Division of Administration in New York offers administrative functions, including finance and budget, to UN Headquarters and global entities. This role is within the One Executive Office (OneEO), a consolidated administrative service platform, supporting client entities like the Office of Counter-Terrorism.
Job Purpose
The Finance and Budget Assistant supports the One Executive Office (OneEO) within the Department of Operational Support (DOS) by providing essential administrative and operational assistance to assigned client entities. This role is crucial for ensuring the effective financial management and budget execution of these entities. The incumbent will assist in budget preparation, expenditure monitoring, financial data analysis, and compliance with UN financial regulations and procedures. By performing these duties, the assistant contributes to the efficient functioning of the client entities and supports the overall mandate of DOS in delivering end-to-end operational support.
Responsibilities
The Finance and Budget Assistant will act as a Certifying Officer, gather and analyze data for budget preparation and revisions, and assist managers with resource requirements. Responsibilities include monitoring expenditures against approved budgets, preparing adjustments, and reviewing requisitions for goods and services to ensure fund availability and correct expenditure coding. The role involves assisting in budget performance reporting, analyzing variances, and supporting the monitoring of extra-budgetary resources. Additionally, the assistant will maintain financial databases, verify data accuracy, coordinate with finance staff, review open commitments for timely liquidation, and monitor voluntary contribution implementation. General duties include staying updated on relevant guidelines, responding to financial inquiries, maintaining files, and potentially supervising junior staff.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, or related administrative services is required. This is reduced to five years for candidates with a first-level university degree. Experience with Umoja or a similar ERP system, data analytics, and Microsoft Excel (including advanced functions) is mandatory. Experience in financial analysis and reviewing financial statements is desirable.
Skills
Professionalism, Planning and Organizing, Client Orientation, knowledge of UN financial rules and procedures, data extraction and analysis, database management, identifying and resolving discrepancies, attention to detail, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel.