Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Programme Office in Lebanon (POLBN) with duty station in Beirut, Lebanon, under the Regional Office for Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA), based in Cairo, Egypt, Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the regional Programme Coordinator (Container Control Programme/GLOG80) and the overall guidance of the Regional Representative, ROMENA. For more information on UNODC, please visit the following website: www.unodc.org

Responsibilities

The focus of the UNODC Container Control Programme (CCP) is to build capacity in countries seeking to improve risk management, supply chain security and trade facilitation in sea, land and airports in order to prevent the cross-border movement of illicit goods. The Associate Finance Officer will work in the Programme Management Team in Beirut to assist with the implementation and backstopping of the Container Control Programme for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), in accordance with UNODC rules and regulations. Within assigned authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following specific tasks: • According to programme requirements and activities, monitor and review the programme budget and funding, ensuring compliance with approved donor funding agreements, agreements with implementing partners, UN policies and financial rules and regulations and costed work plans; identify bottlenecks, inconsistencies and take/propose corrective action in consultation with the regional programme coordinator. • Prepare, coordinate, monitor and report on the programme budget for the Middle East and North Africa under the supervision of the PCBT regional coordinator; prepare financial statements, project budget reports and revisions, relevant documentation for donors according to donor requirements and other documentation with respect to budget performance submissions and financial overviews; analyse and present information and data. • Provide financial advice to the team on existing resources, future challenges and long-term funding implications; provide guidance to programme staff in the development of budgets. • Administer and monitor resources, including the review of agreements and cost plans, status of implementation, utilization of funds, validity of contributions/grant agreements and related issues, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures. • Analyse and monitor budget implementation and determine/recommend reallocation of funds when necessary; make appropriate recommendations with respect to the finalization of budget performance reports, analysing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures; Monitor expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels. • Support the conceptualization and implementation of activities under the CCP MENA gender equality initiative. • Participate in field missions, including provision of substantive and administrative support, data collection, etc. • Keep up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme budgets, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures. • Contribute to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provide draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Assist in planning, coordinating and implementing the project activities for the CCP regional segment of Middle East and North Africa and specifically for a regional project based in Cyprus. • Perform other work-related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Has knowledge of budget and financial principles and practices in general, and in particular the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules. Is able to independently conduct research and analysis, formulate options and present conclusions and recommendations. Has knowledge, skills and ability to extract, interpret, analyse and format data across the full range of finance and budget functions, including programme development and database management. Is able to identify and resolve data discrepancies and operational problems. Shows pride in work and in achievements; 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. Committed to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in business administration, finance, budget, accounting, management, or related fields is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Specialization in financial engineering or financial mathematics is desirable.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of professional work experience in finance, administration, budget, business administration, programme management or a related area, of which several years at the international level, is required. Experience in financial management analysis and budget monitoring is required. Experience financially supporting a technical assistance programme in an area relating to drug control, crime prevention, criminal justice or similar field is required. Experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is required. Experience with SAP based applications, such as Umoja, is desirable. Experience with the United Nations System or similar international organization is desirable. Experience with the private sector is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of other United Nations official languages is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency based interview.

Special Notice

This is a project post. Filling of this position is subject to funding availability and the initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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.