Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK). The Assistant Finance and Budget Officer reports to the Chief of Section, Finance and Budget.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Assistant Finance and Budget Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Assists with the preparation of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of mission’s resourcing requirements such as staff and non-staff requirements, including programmatic aspects; assists, reviews and revises data with respect to the finalization of budget proposals as well as Result Based Budgeting inputs. • Assists with support to programme/fund center managers (Substantive and Support Sections) with respect to the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions. • Supports the administration and monitoring of extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures. • Processes the mission’s redeployment of funds in accordance with the established procedures. • Provides support for reviews in ensuring the efficient and effective use of budgetary resources through robust monitoring of budget utilization to the approved budget and timely provision of information to Mission management for decision making; assists with support and guidance to fund center/program managers on budget implementation and recommends corrective actions where necessary. • Assists with the preparation of the budget performance report of the mission ensuring that correct and accurate data/information is provided by various programme /fund center managers in compliance with the Controller’s instructions. Assist with reviews to finalize performance reports ensuring valid and adequate variance explanations between approved budgets and actual expenditures. • Analyzes complex accounting transactions and open items in the accounting system and recommends corrective actions. • Reviews and reconciles various clearing accounts, investigates erroneous/invalid entries and recommends corrective accounting action. • Supporting review of cost plan, clearance, monitoring and clearing financial reports for programmatic activities projects; managing financial data and liaising with various stakeholders regarding overall financial life-cycle of programmatic activities; • Processes cost recovery and cost allocation transactions from/to HQs, agencies, funds, programs and other field missions. • Provides support to Fund Center managers for the year-end reviews of budget commitments in accordance with established criteria. • Reviews and verifies that appropriate relevant supporting documents have been provided for the processing of payments for goods and services received. • Provides advice, financial interpretations, adaptations and corrective actions in response to audits and other queries to ensure adherence to the UN Financial Regulations and Rules, Staff Rules, Administrative Instructions, Bulletins and Circulars under the supervision/guidance of the Finance and Budget Officer. • Processes the disbursement of payments and monitors house bank account balances and transactions, maintains vendor banking details, monitoring and analysing payments in exception status, facilities investigations of erroneous/failed transactions. • Develops and delivers statistical analysis, standard business intelligence reports and recommendations. • Acts as a Bank signatory 104.5 or Approving Officer under Financial Rule 105.4, in adherence with the UN Regulations and Rules. • Processes bank reconciliations for Mission house banks. • Assists with the maintenance of the fixed asset register. • Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment. Ability to maintain accurate records, review and interpret a wide variety of data. Ability to demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. Teamwork: Proven inter-personal skills and the ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; Ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance or in a related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in finance, administration, budget, business administration or related area is required. Experience with reporting of budget and financial information in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) is desirable. Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) – or similar international organization or non-governmental organization – in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable. Knowledge of SAP and UMOJA or similar systems is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of the Albanian and the Serbian languages are desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereofare subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.