Senior 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 service platform launched as part of UN80 reform, specifically in the Client Desk supporting entities like the Office of Disarmament Affairs.
Job Purpose
The Senior Finance & Budget Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting assigned entities within the UN Secretariat, reporting to the Senior Administrative Officer. This position is integral to the One Executive Office (OneEO) under the Department of Operational Support (DOS), contributing to the efficient financial administration and budget management of client entities. The role involves acting as a Certifying Officer, preparing and reviewing budget proposals, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring compliance with UN financial regulations and procedures. By providing essential financial operational services, the assistant supports the mandate fulfillment of various UN entities, ensuring accurate financial data, timely reporting, and effective resource allocation. The position also contributes to the overall operational efficiency and reform initiatives of the UN Secretariat.
Responsibilities
The Senior Finance & Budget Assistant is responsible for managing budget and finance functions, including acting as a Certifying Officer, reviewing and preparing medium-term plans, cost estimates, and budget proposals. This involves assisting managers with resource requirements, conducting research for budget reviews, and preparing allotments, including fund redeployment. The role includes monitoring budget implementation and expenditures, recommending fund reallocations, and reviewing requisitions for goods and services to ensure fund availability and correct expenditure. Responsibilities also cover monitoring extra-budgetary resources, assisting with budget performance submissions and reports, and preparing financial statements for donors. Additionally, the assistant will monitor financial databases, verify data accuracy, coordinate with finance staff, and provide guidance and training to other General Service staff. General duties include staying updated on relevant guidelines, responding to financial inquiries, and assisting with data analysis and reporting.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, or administrative services is required. This can be reduced to eight years with a first-level university degree. Five years of experience using an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system for budgeting, finance, or accounting is mandatory. Proficiency in Excel at an intermediate level, including data visualization tools, is also required. Experience with UN financial regulations and rules, or those of similar international organizations, is desirable, as is one year of experience in data analytics.
Skills
Proficiency in UN financial rules and regulations. Ability to extract, interpret, and analyze financial data. Strong planning and organizational skills. Client-oriented approach. Experience with ERP systems and Excel. Data analysis and visualization capabilities.