Finance and Budget Assistant, G5 at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Responsibilities
Budget:

•  Assists in the preparation of supporting documents (narrative and supporting tables) with respect to finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements.
•  Supports the Finance & Budget Officer in extracting information and generating expenditure reports from computerized information system databases; assists in preliminary analyses of the extracted information and the reports generated, and highlights areas of concern for the attention of the Finance & Budget Officer.
•  Assists in the development of resource requirements for budget submissions and in the preparation of budget performance submissions.
•  Research/compiles data and other information required by the Finance & Budget Officer in the review and analysis of relevant proposals.
•  Consolidates data and provides support to Finance & Budget Officer with respect to budget reviews of relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies.
•  Assists the Finance & Budget Officer in the preparation/finalization of finance and budget performance reports, performing preliminary analysis of variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
•  Prepares fund commitments and pass-thru grants in Umoja and reviews them to ensure that funds are available, and the correct account has been used.
•  Assists in drafting the initial versions of the Financial Reports for submission to Scientific Technical Advisory Panel (STAP)
•  Assists the Finance & Budget Officer with tabulation and data input for project documents.
•  Assists in the financial backstopping of trust funds, including monitoring the status of voluntary contributions, generating expenditure reports from Umoja and monitoring reporting requirements by donors.
•  Assists the Finance & Budget Officer in the issuance of allotments and related staffing table authorizations.
•  Verifies accuracy of input data, ensuring consistency of data in previous allotments to new allotments issued.
•  Reviews draft reports, verifying overall accuracy, consistency and uniformity in the presentation, and ensuring comprehensiveness and compliance with the prescribed formats; cross-checks consistency of figures in tables with the text of the reports, and verifies references to other reports and documents, bringing errors to the attention of the Finance & Budget Officer concerned; ensures that all necessary corrections are incorporated in the reports; co-ordinates with other finance and budget staff on related issues during preparation of budget reports.
•  Verifies and prepares payments to third parties, commercial entities, and Partners as well as assists in the processing of payments to Governments and vendors for good and services. This includes calculating, inputting, and checking payments for correctness and communicating discrepancies to supervisors.
•  Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.
•  Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.
•  Records and reconciles more complex accounting transactions.

General:

•  Keeps 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 the UN Financial Regulations and Rules.
•  Drafts routine correspondence with respect to inquiries related to relevant financial and budget matters of Scientific Technical Advisory Panel (STAP)
•  Maintains up-to-date work unit files.
•  Responds to queries from staff members and third parties.
•  Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to perform a broad range of administrative functions, e.g., budget/work programme, human resources, database management, etc. Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. 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. 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. The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making.
• 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.
• 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.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

• Supplementary training in the field of accounting and finance or related fields is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in finance, budget, accounting or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to three(3) years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree such as finance, budget or accounting.
• A minimum of 3 years of practical experience in an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), SAP (Umoja), accounting and finance system and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) is desirable.
• At least 2 years’ experience in the United Nations System or other comparable international organization is desirable.
• One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.