FINANCE AND BUDGET ASSISTANT (MULTIPLE)

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the UN headquarters in Africa and the respective office of the Secretary-General. UNON supports programme implementation of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), UN Resident Coordination System (RCS) and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) globally, as well as other UN offices in Kenya, by providing administrative, conference and information services (www.unon.org). These positions are located in the office of Budget and Financial Management Services (BFMS), Division of Administrative Services (DAS) and the Division of Operational Support, OnePayroll. Under the direct supervision of the Section or Unit Chiefs, the incumbents may perform the following duties:

Within delegated authority, the Finance & Budget Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: (These duties are generic and may not be carried out by all Finance & Budget Assistants.) 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 Officers(s) 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(s). • Assists in the development of resource requirements for budget submissions and in the preparation of budget performance submissions. • Researches/compiles data and other information required by the Finance Budget Officer(s) in the review and analysis of relevant proposals. • Consolidates data and provides support to Finance/Budget Officer(s) with respect to budget reviews of relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies. • Assists the Finance/Budget Officer(s) in the preparation/finalization of budget performance reports, performing preliminary analysis of variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. • Prepares pre-encumbrances and obligations in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system 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 Aspects section of the Secretary-General’s reports to the Security Council, draft resolutions and Reports of the Fifth Committee for peacekeeping operations and the Annotated Agenda for peacekeeping items. • Assists the Finance/Budget Officer(s) with data input in the budget instructions for peacekeeping operations. • Assists in the financial backstopping of trust funds, including monitoring the status of voluntary contributions, generating expenditure reports from ERP and monitoring reporting requirements by donors. • Assists the Finance/Budget Officer(s) 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 format prescribed by the Editorial and Documents control of GACM; 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 Officers(s) 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. Accounting and Payroll Administration: • Prepares, processes, and reviews complex and non‑routine accounting transactions independently, ensuring accuracy and compliance with applicable financial rules, regulations, and procedures; scrutinizes source documents for completeness, accuracy, validity, and proper authorization prior to processing. • Investigates erroneous, incomplete, or rejected transactions and implements appropriate corrective accounting actions; initiates and processes journal vouchers to clear discrepancies and aged open items in ERP system. • Records and maintains financial transactions in ERP system, ensuring accurate calculation, entry, and verification of payments for vendors, consultants and staff payroll as well as verifying supporting documentation, approvals, and authorizations in line with applicable procedures and control checklists. • Reconciles general ledger, sub-ledger, and suspense accounts, investigate variances, and escalates unresolved issues in a timely manner; prepares routine accounting adjustments and corrections in accordance with established accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls. • Supports global payroll operations, including monthly and ad‑hoc payroll processing, payroll uploads, and monitors insurance and pension-related transactions to ensure proper posting and reconciliation. • Reviews and validates results of payroll runs, by performing payroll comparison checks and data analysis to ensure accuracy, completeness, and audit readiness; reports and addresses payroll payment discrepancies promptly and follows up on exceptions prior to payroll finalization. • Responds to clients, including staff and third parties, on standard payroll and benefits enquiries, and requests for standard financial information. 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. • Drafts routine correspondence with respect to enquiries related to relevant financial and budget matters. • Provides administrative support to the Head of the organizational unit and/or Finance/Budget Officer(s), as required. • 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 the updating of information material. • Performs other related duties, as assigned.

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment. Knowledge, skills, and ability to extract, interpret, analyse, and format data across the full range of finance and budget functions, including payroll and claims payment volumes. Ability to maintain accurate records, review and interpret a wide variety of data. Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies and operational problems. 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. • 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. • 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.

Completion of high school diploma or equivalent is required. Supplementally training in finance, administration and project management is desirable.

A recognized accountancy qualification (e.g. Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountants (CIPFA) is desirable.

A minimum of five (5) years of 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 or higher. Experience in the use of ERP systems or equivalent is required. At least one (1) year of experience in analyzing HR related entitlements, resolving payroll discrepancies, processing separation entitlements, and recording payroll accounting entries in an international organization is desirable. Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), IFRS and IPSAS is desirable. Knowledge and experience of Staff Rules and Regulations and Financial Regulations, Rules and procedures of the United Nations or similar international organizations is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English 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 III

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

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

This job opening is for roster purposes. Recommended candidates will be put in a roster for future consideration for similar roles. The United Nations Secretariat maintains rosters of qualified and available candidates to fill anticipated job openings in the United Nations Secretariat. The purpose of this job opening is to generate a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in the Finance and Budget Assistant, G5 roster. Appointments against these positions are for an initial period of one year and any extension will be subject to availability of funds. The appointments and renewals thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the 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, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Internal Applicants: When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. 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. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

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.