Budget Officer- Fixed Term- Finance Department- FO West Bank- For Internal & External Candidates - Grade
Organizational Context
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is a UN body established in 1949, mandated to assist and protect approximately 5.8 million registered Palestine refugees. It operates across Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, and Gaza, providing essential services like education, healthcare, and social services. As the largest UN operation in the Middle East, UNRWA relies on voluntary contributions and offers rewarding opportunities to make a tangible difference.
Job Purpose
The Budget Officer, reporting to the Deputy Head of the Field Finance Office, is responsible for overseeing budget operations for Programme Budget and External Grants within the assigned Field. This role ensures conformity with agency instructions and allocated funds. The incumbent manages budget estimates, adjustments, reporting, and expenditure monitoring, preparing forecasts and evaluation reports. They certify fund availability and issue sub-allotment advice. The position involves leading and evaluating assigned staff, providing technical guidance, and conducting training. As part of the Field Finance management team, the role contributes to developing work plans, guidelines, and improving processes. The Budget Officer also coordinates budget preparation, reviews variances, manages budget reserves, and validates financial transactions, advising management on operational and administrative matters.
Responsibilities
Oversee budget operations for Programme Budget and External Grants, ensuring compliance with agency instructions and fund allocation. Supervise the review and adjustment of budget estimates. Manage budget data reporting and monitoring to control budgets and expenditures. Prepare forecasts, evaluation reports, and consolidate estimates. Certify fund availability and issue sub-allotment advice. Plan, lead, monitor, and evaluate assigned staff, providing technical guidance and training. Contribute to the development of annual work plans, guidelines, and process improvements as part of the Field Finance management team. Coordinate budget preparation, ensuring timely submissions and required corrective actions. Review budget and expenditure data monthly/quarterly, follow up on variances, and manage budget reserves. Validate Work Breakdown Structure/Element adherence and monitor monetary values for commitments, purchase requests, purchase orders, and payroll. Analyze obligation documents and reconcile obligation status reports. Monitor and report on External Grants, advising on their status. Advise on budget matters, including annual/biennium budget preparation, and act as Deputy Head Field Finance Office when required. Verify, enter, and retrieve budgetary data in the finance system, producing monthly reports.
Work Experience
A minimum of six years of experience in a finance or accounting office within a large governmental, international, or commercial organization is required. This experience must be in a computerized environment with a financial management information system. Three of these years must be at a supervisory level. Proficiency with computer applications like Excel and Access is also required for the supervisory period.
Skills
Deciding and Initiating Action, Leading and Supervising, Applying Technical Expertise, Analyzing, Planning and Organizing, Communication, Working with People, Drive for Results.