Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Financial Resourcing and Performance Management Section of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The incumbent will be based in Bangui and report to the Chief, Financial Resourcing and Performance Management Section.

Responsibilities

The focus of the position is to coordinate the overall financial resourcing and performance management of UNSOS and UNSOM that includes the planning and implementation of the budgetary resources and, monitoring and reporting of financial performance. The incumbent is also responsible for monitoring and analysis of budgetary and operational performance of the mission.

Within delegated authority, the Finance and Budget Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Strategic Resourcing and Stewardship:
• Supports with the development of the mission’s annual budget development programme, providing coordination with respect to the establishment of major resourcing priorities, prepares cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of mission’s resourcing requirements such as staff and non-staff requirements, including programmatic aspects; reviews, analyzes and revises data with respect to the finalization of the budget proposals as well as Result Based Budgeting inputs.
• Plans and oversees the preparation, reviews and finalization of budget performance reports in compliance with the Legislative requirements and recommendations and Controller’s instructions; reviews and ensures valid variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
• Prepares inputs to the UN’s legislative processes for consideration of mission financing requirements by the relevant budgetary bodies within the Secretariat as well as the legislative bodies of the General Assembly.
• Administers the allotments of the mission in line with the updated policy on administration of allotments including advise, guidance and approval of redeployment/reallocation of funds in line with implementation of planned and/or prioritized activities.
• Ensures 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; Provides support and guidance to fund centre/programme managers on budget implementation and corrective actions where necessary.
• Administers and monitor extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures.
• Prepares financial reports that informs and meets the need of senior management of the mission, programme and fund center managers throughout the mission, relevant external stakeholders as well as those acting on behalf of the mission at UNHQ.
• 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 guidance of the Chief of Section/Supervisor.
• Carries out duties consistent with the financial delegation in adherence with the UN Regulations and Rules.

Performance Monitoring:
• Supports the Chief of Section/Supervisor in implementing strong management reporting practices and business intelligence for effective and efficient budgetary and performance management.
• Provides timely advice to operational counterparts and mission leadership on organizational performance of the mission in line with mission priorities.
• Coordinates on going monitoring, analysis and reporting to ensure that organizational performance of the operations is tracking with set targets and resource requirements are aligned with mandates and other priorities.

Other:
• In the absence of Chief of Section, oversees the daily operations of the Section.
• Ensures that all activities within the Budget and Finance Section, are in compliance with the UNHQ Environmental and Waste Management policies and in line with the UNHQ Environment Strategy objectives; coordinates with the mission’s environmental officer for guidance as needed.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of financial and budgetary principles and practices, budget development and financial administration of resources. 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. 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.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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 is required. 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.

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 in cost management, budget formulation, financial monitoring, accounting, audit, financial reporting or other related areas is required.

Experience in drafting and finalizing formal reports with substantive and financial content is required.

Experience in the coordination and the preparation of formal reports from inputs by other staff, is required.

Atleast two 2 years of experience in data analytics or related area is required.

Experience in using SAP (UMOJA) and Business Intelligence Reporting tools is required.

Experience working with international or multi-national organizations in a volatile, conflict or post conflict settings is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

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. 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.

• 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.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.