FINANCE AND BUDGET ASSISTANT

United Nations•New York, NY

45d

About The Position

This position is located in the United Nations Office for Partnerships (UN Partnerships). Guided by the priorities of the UN Secretary-General, UN Partnerships is the gateway to the UN system to connect and co-create partnerships to deliver solutions to reach everyone, everywhere. In its role as a connector, UN Partnerships proactively engages, convenes and leverages stakeholders, initiatives and solutions in support of the Decade of Action to keep the promise of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). UN Partnerships oversees the UN Fund for International Partnerships (UNFIP), the UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF) and the SDG Advocates programme. The incumbent will support all initiatives of the UN Partnerships and report to the Chief of Operations and work closely with other members of the team.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent is required.
A minimum of seven years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, administrative services is required.
The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to 5 for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher.
Experience in the administration and management of extra-budgetary resources from voluntary contributions is required.
Experience in trust-fund management and grant-management module in ERP systems such as SAP, Umoja or similar is required.
Experience in reviewing budget and finance components of project proposals is required.
English is required.
Knowledge, skills and ability to extract, interpret, analyze and format data across the full range of finance and budget functions (e.g., budget/work programme development, database management, etc.).
Knowledge and application of relevant administrative and financial rules and procedures.
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.
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.
Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Effective organizational skills and ability to establish priorities and to plan;
Monitor own work plan and that of more junior staff and meet deadlines; Identify priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently.
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.

Nice To Haves

Experience in maintaining and ensuring financial data quality of complex project databases for programme management is desirable.

Responsibilities

Prepare supporting documents (narrative and supporting tables) with respect of the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements;
Assist in elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions;
Monitor expenditures and compare with approved budget; prepare adjustments as necessary;
Assist in the preparation of budget performance submissions and finalization of budget performance reports, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures;
Review and process special service agreements, travel requests and requisitions for goods, services and stock items ensuring consistency in the application of UN rules and procedures;
Provide quarterly status of funds' reports to substantive officers, respond to queries and provide information regarding administrative procedures, processes and practices;
Provides full range of assistance in trust fund management and implementation at all phases of the cycle of trust fund projects; ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures.
Grants Management functions in Umoja include ensuring the correct structure for grants, releasing budgets and recording implementing partner expenditures.
Keep up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to the programme, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures;
Assists in establishment, closure of trust funds and projects.
Assist in finalisation of project documents and Board documentation;
Maintain tracking of project documents throughout the whole life cycle, and communicate with relevant stakeholders;
Draft or prepare correspondence to respond to inquiries with respect to relevant programmatic, financial and budget matters;
Maintain and keep up-to-date files and databases;
Serve as the IT focal point in the work unit.
Perform other related duties, as assigned.