Finance and Budget Officer at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

The MIKE programme was established by the CITES Conference of the Parties to monitor levels of illegal killing of elephants at more than 80 conservation areas spread across 47 elephant range States in Africa and Asia, with the goal of providing reliable information and building capacity for the management of elephant populations. The MIKE Central Coordination Unit is primarily responsible for the implementation of the MIKE Programme. The position is a project position located in Nairobi, Kenya under the overall supervision and guidance of the Coordinator, MIKE Team.

Within delegated authority, the Finance & Budget Officer will undertake the following duties:

Responsibilities

• PROGRAMME PLANNING:
  • Reviews, analyses and participates in the preparation of the programmes’ plan and its revisions on the basis of discussions with donors and partners as well as planned and ongoing projects, taking into account the relevant resolutions and decisions of the CITES Conference of the Parties.
  • Provides substantive support to relevant expert bodies as well as the governance bodies of the MIKE programme in their review of both short- and long-term financial planning.
  • Ensures legislative mandates and donor requirements are accurately translated into the programme’s plan and associated budgets.
• BUDGET PREPARATION:
  • Prepares, reviews, analyses and finalizes cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements.
  • Reviews, analyses and provides advice on programme budget/financial implications to the CITES Secretariat in light of additional mandates.
  • Provides support and advice to managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions.
  • Provides advice and support to relevant expert bodies and governance structures associated with the Convention and the MIKE Programme in their budget review; assists in securing approval from the CITES Parties.
• BUDGET ADMINISTRATION:
  • Prepares allotments, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures.
  • Monitors budget implementation and recommends reallocation of funds as necessary.
  • Monitors expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels.
  • Reviews requisitions for goods and services to ensure (a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged, and (b) availability of funds.
  • Administers and monitors extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures.
  • Prepares budget performance submissions.
  • Prepares and reviews budget performance reports and provide advice on the finalization of these reports, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
  • Provides substantive support to expert bodies as well as the governance structures of the Convention and the MIKE programme.
• 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 with United Nations policies and procedures.
  • Approves financial transactions in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, analyses and reconcile accounts, proposes/implements solutions with respect to new and non-routine financial transactions.
  • Undertakes actions related to procurement and logistics (including consultants), organization and coordination of meetings and conferences, including the compilation, verification and distribution of documents and other materials.
  • Undertakes actions related to implementing partners including ensuring compliance with contractual obligations in relation financial reporting, recording keeping, audit, procurement and management of assets, conducting reviews and spot checks on reported costs and ensuring funds are provided as required.
  • Heads the administrative services of the programme and supervises the relevant staff as required.
  • Supports the Finance Management Officer of the CITES Secretariat as required.
  • Undertakes special projects and/or other related duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the UN Financial Rules and Regulations, particularly financial management rules as well as financial management requirements for donors and 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.
• 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 decisions, 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 honors 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

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university. A professional certification in accounting is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five years progressively responsible experience in finance, budget, business administration or related area, with two of the five years at the international level is required.
• Experience in administrative and financial standards such as IPSAS or similar is required.
• Experience in Funds Management and Business Intelligence modules in ERP systems is desirable
• Experience in supporting financial management of projects implemented as part of multilateral environmental agreements and projects that are mainly donor funded is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

NOTE: 'Fluency' equals a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (speak, read, write and understand) and 'Knowledge of' equals a rating of 'confident' in two of the four areas.
Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment, which will be followed by a competency-based interview.