Finance and Budget Officer, P3 at United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON)

Responsibilities
BUDGETING:

•  Provides input to the strategic planning of the organization in line with established frameworks and guidelines
•  Reviews and analyses data with respect to the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements for regular budget and extra-budgetary resources under UNON Administration.
•  Provides substantive support to relevant intergovernmental and interagency bodies for their review of budget proposals and their revisions.
•  Ensures that resources are utilized in line with authorized budgets, the priorities of the organization and the UN financial rules and regulations;
•  Execute cost recovery in line with established agreements and policies and support on the collection of associated receivables;
•  Performs approving functions of financial transactions as per delegation.
•  Produces periodic and ad hoc reviews and reports and recommendations in relation to the various responsibilities assigned to the Section.

ACCOUNTING:

•  Assists in preparation of financial statements for UNEP, UN-Habitat and the processing of volume 1 year-end schedules UNON, SAHEL and RCS for inclusion in the UN Financial Statements to be audited;
•  Assists in the preparation of interim and final donor reports for UNEP, UN-Habitat and other client entities.
•  Identifies problem transactions and irregularities in related accounts, resolving them in a timely and effective manner;
•  Assists in the preparation and reconciliation of the UNDP Project Delivery reports (PDR) and the Project Cash advance reports (PCA);
•  Approves and confirms that financial documents are in accordance with the UN Financial Regulations and Rules;
•  Analyses accounts and reviews/evaluates regular financial reports at Headquarters, from Offices-away-from-Headquarters for UNEP and UN-Habitat;
•  Researches and analyses information needed to respond to internal/external audit queries and observations;
•  Advises and guides the clients concerning the United Nations' Financial Regulations and Rules and Accounting Instructions;
•  Reviews and confirms reconciliations and suspense accounts analysis during the year and at year end;
•  Participates in the development of accounting policies.
•  Analyzes and monitors open item managed accounts (OIM) in the ERP system (Umoja) and initiate corrective action;
•  Performs approving functions of financial transactions as per delegation.

GENERAL:

•  Reviews and analyzes various reports and advises management on any operational gaps and make recommendations for corrective action as appropriate;
•  Respond to queries and review correspondence in relation to budgetary and financial matters from management, clients (internal and external), auditors and other stakeholders;
•  Analyses administrative practices and procedures with the aim of identifying possible areas of improvements in order to enhance effectiveness, efficiency and transparency;
•  Ensures that accurate and complete accounting; reporting and internal control systems are functioning;
•  Ensures that all relevant records and audit trails are maintained;
•  Supervise one or more professional staff, team leaders and/or teams and provide day-day management and supervision, training and guidance to other staff;
•  Provide support to Unit Chief in planning of unit and team staff work plans, monitor and report performance against the plans;
•  Knowledge retention and quality assurance focal point for the team;
•  Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies

•  PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of financial principles and practices. Ability to independently conduct research and analysis, formulate options and present conclusions and recommendations. 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.
•  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.
•  CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
• 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Professional qualification from a recognized accountancy body like Association of Chartered Accountants (ACA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Certified Public Accountants (CPA), or Chartered Institute of Management accountants (CIMA) is a required.
• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in finance, administration, budget, business administration or related area is required.
• Experience with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) framework and preparation of financial statements is required.
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Platform (ERP) systems specifically in the use of
• SAP/ERP is required.
• Experience with management and monitoring financial reporting and/or donor reporting
• specifically using Business Intelligence is desirable.
• Supervisory Experience with performance management is desirable.
• Two (2) years 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 a second official United Nations language is desirable. NOTE: "fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and " Knowledge of" equals a rating of " confident" in two of the four areas.