Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo. The Chief of Unit, Finance and Budget Officer will report to Chief Operations and Resources Management (ORM) at P5 level and is responsible for managing the unit in its delivery of strategic support and business intelligence, including advice to operational counterparts and leadership on financial resourcing and stewardship and organizational performance of the mission in line with mission priorities.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Chief of Unit, Finance and Budget will be responsible for the following duties: In UNMIK, manages the Finance and Budget Unit and acts as the principal advisor on questions related to financial resourcing and stewardship, and organizational performance in line with mission priorities. In this regard the position is responsible for the following: Strategic Resourcing and Stewardship Manages the missions budget development programme providing guidance and coordination with respect to the establishment of major resourcing priorities, preparation of comprehensive budget submissions, application of results-based budgeting principles, analysis of the costs and benefits of major new proposals, and coordination of performance reporting in consultation with the Chief Operations and Resources Management; Supports programme and resource managers throughout the mission, and acting on behalf of the mission at UNHQ, in the monitoring of budgetary execution and financial performance to identify issues, priorities, timely solutions and exceptions warranting further action in consultation with the Chief Operations and Resources Management, as well as in participating in projects to enhance the cost-effectiveness of mission activities; Ensures effective financial administration of the mission, including the application of authoritative advice with regard to the UN’s Financial Regulations and Rules; Prepares estimates and cost-benefit analysis in response to planning for and implementing major operational changes including the preparation of financial implications of mandates or programme adjustments; Supports the legislative review processes especially the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) and the 5th Committee of the General Assembly; Coordinates and effectively engages with service providers to ensure that the financial accounts of the mission are continually maintained, monitored and annual financial statements are certified in accordance with the requirements of the UN Controller and UN Financial Regulations and Rules; Ensures that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained in accordance with the UN’s Financial Regulations and Rules and proper management of mission resources; Responsible for the preparations of the mission’s draft responses with regards to audits findings and recommendations from both, the Board of external auditors and Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS); Provides advice and corrective actions. Acts as the secretary to the mission’s resource stewardship executive group. Performance Monitoring Ensures strong management reporting practices and business intelligence for effective and efficient budgetary and performance management, integrating all aspects of the mission’s operations and identifying remedial actions; Effectively manages on-going monitoring, analysis and reporting to ensure that the mission’s organizational performance is tracking with set targets and resource requirements are aligned with mandates and other priorities. Other Manages the staff of the unit in prioritizing, planning, and assigning responsibilities, developing, and maintaining needed expertise and knowledge, and identifying opportunities for improvement including their on-going learning and career development; Represents the mission on crosscutting projects and initiatives to improve resource management, financial operations in the field operations; Ensures an effective cashier function as needed; Ensures that all activities within Finance and Budget Unit, are in compliance with the DOS Environmental and Waste Management policies and in line with the DOS Environment Strategy objectives; coordinates with the mission’s environmental officer for guidance as needed. Serves on formal oversight and decision-making bodies established in the mission, including the Local Committee on Contracts and Local Property Survey Board. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrated expertise in applying contemporary principles and practices to financial management and resource planning, accounting and financial reporting, and financial operations, in a complex organizational setting; ability to develop and implement new policies, procedures and other improvement initiatives to promote cost-effective resource management and strengthen financial stewardship and control; extensive experience in preparing and/or interpreting financial information in an IPSAS-compliant or similar accounting environment; proven capacity to provide valued input to a strategic organizational planning and/or oversight framework; demonstrated success in addressing challenging scenarios and problems from a strategic perspective and with effective solutions; significant experience in defining operational and organizational objectives in a results-based resourcing framework; capacity to provide strategic support to senior leadership; demonstrated commitment to incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. COMMUNICATION: Superior capacity to speak and write with influence in communicating with senior leadership and peers throughout the mission and at UNHQ; demonstrated experience in conveying technical financial issues to non-practitioners, adapting language, tone, style, and format to the audience; listens to others, correctly interpreting messages and responding appropriately; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. PLANNING & 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. ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes own 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. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, risk management, finance, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience in accounting, budget or finance may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Professional recognition as a CPA, chartered accountant or by a similar professional body is desirable.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (07) years of progressively responsible experience in finance, budget, administration, public administration, business administration or related area is required. Experience managing multi-functional team is required. Experience in translating strategies into financial plans and operations is required Experience working in a volatile, conflict or post conflict settings is desirable. Experience in cost management, budget formulation, financial monitoring, accounting, audit, financial reporting or other related areas is required. Experience working with international or multi-national organizations is desirable

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available for 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

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.