Finance and Budget Assistant

This position is located in the Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator (TIP/SOM) and the overall guidance of the Administrative and Procurement Officer (TIP/SOM). The incumbent will also work in close collaboration with the operations team and programmes in ROMENA. For more information on UNODC, please visit www.unodc.org

Within delegated authority, the Finance & Budget Assistant will be responsible for the following specific duties: Budget: • Assist 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. • Support in extracting information and generating expenditure reports from computerized information system databases; assist in preliminary analyses of the extracted information and the reports generated, and highlight areas of concern for the attention of the supervisor. • Consolidate data and provide support to the Programme Coordinator with respect to budget reviews of the project/s. • Support in monitoring the budget structure of the Programme, including the implementation per grant, per country. • Provide advice and review the correct allocation of expenditures to the correct WBSE, Sponsored class and G/L accounts. • Assist in the preparation of budget submissions including budget unrelease and release per grant and in the preparation of the staffing table authorizations. • Assist in the preparation of budget projections per country. • Research/compile data and other information required by the supervisors in the review and analysis of relevant budget proposals. • Assist the supervisor in the preparation/finalization of budget performance reports, performing preliminary analysis of variances between approved budgets, commitments and actual expenditures. • Prepare pre-commitments and obligations in Umoja and review them to ensure that funds are available and the correct account has been used. • Verify accuracy of input data, ensuring consistency of data between previously approved budgets and newly issued. • Support/assist in the reconciliation of commitments, adjustments and liabilities under programmes/project Umoja financial data. • Assist programme/project colleagues in the analysis of Umoja financial information and the generation of financial reports. Finance: • Monitor status of expenditures and allotments through Umoja, record variations, update budget tables. • Maintain the overview of finances and financial authorizations as well as of reporting obligations. • Prepare the documents to process payments to personnel, consultants, experts, vendors and other clients and submit to the ROMENA Finance Team. • Prepare payment requests to be submitted to the ROMENA Finance Team and carry out budgetary checks on purchase requisitions, purchase orders and supporting documents. • Review and request the closure of open commitments once payments are processed, verified and uploaded in UMOJA. • Verify the correctness and accuracy of supporting documents submitted by programme/project staff, prepare payment requests, make necessary calculations, and assure inclusion of all relevant data when preparing requests to be submitted to the ROMENA Finance Team. • Review commitments for ROMENA national staff and advise amendments as required. • Prepare Note to File to request the preparation of journal voucher requests for the reversal of charges incurred and submits to the ROMENA Finance Team. • Maintain proper control of payment vouchers and supporting documents. • Maintain an internal expenditure control system that ensures that vouchers processed are consistent and complete, and that transactions are correctly recorded and accounted for in Umoja. • Monitor the liquidation of project commitments upon completion and the release of committed funds. • Monitor and follow up with the Travel Administrators/ staff members on closing open Travel Requests, Expense Reports and travel tickets. • Take timely corrective actions on unposted transactions, including transactions with budget check errors, unapproved transactions. • Register vendors and suppliers and the corresponding bank accounts in the financial system. • Assist with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations • Support on the preparation of financial reports required by UNODC Headquarters and the donors. • Maintain files (both paper and electronic) for audit purposes and EU funding verification, including the proper archive of all obligations and expenses incurred as well as all the supporting documents. General: • Keep up to date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme budgets, ensuring compliance with recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures. • Assist 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. • Assist with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. • Perform other work-related duties, as assigned.

Professionalism – Has knowledge of general office and administrative support including administrative policies, processes and procedures. Is able to perform a broad range of administrative functions including budget/work programme and human resources related. Is able to understand and apply 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. Able to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. 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. 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.

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Not available.

A minimum of five years of relevant work experience in finance, budget, accounting, or related areas is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to three for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience in the usage of computers and standard MS Office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required. At least one year of experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable. Work experience with the United Nations system and/or other international organizations is desirable. Experience in a large Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Arabic is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult

https://languages.un.org

for details).

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Required Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

English

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

Arabic

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

THIS IS A FIXED TERM LIMITED POSITION. Appointment against this project post is for an initial period of one (1) year. The candidate selected for this position will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTA-limited”) in accordance with section 2.2 (c) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2025/3 on Administration of appointments. Renewal of appointment is contingent upon continued existence of mandate and availability of funding. If this position is discontinued, the incumbent will be separated from service. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of "internal candidate" in staff rule 4.10 who are selected for this position will be reassigned or transferred to the position, without a lien to their parent position. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their career in accordance with established rules and procedures. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. 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. The movement of staff members from the General Service and related categories to the Professional category in the United Nations Secretariat is exclusively allowed through the Young Professionals Programme competitive examinations. Only few staff members pass the competitive examinations. Passing the competitive examinations does not guarantee movement to the Professional category. For further information, please visit https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=GP

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. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.