Budget Analyst

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peace building, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

Peace and Security Centre

The UNOPS Peace and Security Centre (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. The Centre is responsible to administer, provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations. It is headed by the Director, who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the PSC on behalf of its clients.

UNMAS

United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is a division of the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). UNMAS is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly (RES/68/72) to ensure an effective, proactive and coordinated response to the problem posed by a wide range of explosive hazards. Legislative mandates also recognize UNMAS technical expertise in responding to threats posed by unsecured and unsafe conventional weapons and ammunition stockpiles. As an office within DPKO, UNMAS supports peacekeeping and special political missions in accordance with Security Council mandates. 

UNMAS as a component of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) provides explosive hazard management capacities, including mitigation, to AMISOM as part of a logistical support package. Non-lethal tactical advice and analysis is delivered by UNMAS technical advisors located in each AMISOM Sector Headquarters and at AMISOM Force Headquarters, who support AMISOM planning and operations. UNMAS support includes both enabling (“operate in spite of IEDs”) and response (“defeat the device”). As a component of the UN Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) UNMAS also supports the Federal Government of Somalia, including the Somali Police Force, Somali Explosive Management Authority and National Security Advisor. 

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Budget Officer, the Budget Analyst analyzes and interprets the financial rules and regulations and provides solutions to a wide spectrum of complex financial issues; he/she ensures effective and transparent utilization of financial resources and integrity of financial services. The Finance Analyst promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations.

Summary of Key Functions  

• Implementation of operational strategies
• Effective and Proper Budget Monitoring and controls
• Provide resources required for budget Submissions and revisions

1. Ensures implementation of operational strategies and adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Full compliance with the provisions of the UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations, the Finance Manual and Finance and Budget Technical Instructions in all financial transactions, recording, reporting, etc.;
• Implementation of effective internal controls, resources management system and budget regulations;
• Continuous analysis and monitoring of the financial situation in the Somalia Mine Action Programme;
• Ensuring “Budget tolerance” on all Somalia Mine Action Programme Budgets.

2. Ensures Effective and Proper Budget Monitoring and controls, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Monitoring and advice to the Project Management Office (PMO)  on the financial status of projects and programmes (including pending and approved budgets; contributions confirmed but not yet available for expenditure; contributions available for expenditure and contributions already expended). for the Voluntary Trust Funds, Regular and Assessed Budget;

• Review requisitions for goods and services certify availability of the funding and ensure correct charging to the relevant account code;
• Coordination of the preparation of the Somalia Mine Action Programme budgets, regular analysis and reporting on the budget approvals and the delivery situation; monitoring of expenditures against budget allotments and reporting on variances;
• Provide guidance on budget issues;

• Timely corrective actions on misallocations of Purchase Orders not receipted in OneUNOPS;
• Timely response to UNOPS HQ requests to resolve financial data issues.
• Continually monitor termination of Purchase Orders no longer needed in all projects;

• Ensuring proper maintenance of the Somalia Mine Action Programme financial accounts; preparation of financial records, statements and reports as required.

3. Provide support with respect to qualifying the resources required for budget submissions and revisions:

• Analysis and revision of data with respect to the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of personnel and non-personnel requirements submitted by project managers and/or clients; review of  budget proposals for reasonableness together with the PMO, consistency with the organizational goals and priorities;
• Assist in the Identification of Somali Mine Action Programme budgetary requirements; guidance on guidelines for budget preparation, the format to be used in reflecting budget proposals and the procedures for submission to facilitate consolidation at the global level;
• Support the Project Management Office(PMO) and Support Services to ensure compliance with UNOPS financial rules and regulations, financial policies and procedures and that project budgets and revisions are prepared in accordance with established procedures and budgetary guidelines of the funding agency; project budget re-phasing processed accurately and punctually;
• Assist in reviewing and developing appropriate recommendations with respect to finalization of budget performance reports, analysing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures;
• Perform any other duties assigned by the line supervisor commensurate with the incumbent’s experience and capacity;
• Discussion of concerns with the Project Managers and Sectional Heads when required so that timely corrective actions can be taken. Monitor budget implementation and determine/recommend reallocation of funds when necessary.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; Empowers others to translate vision into results; Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solution; Drives for change and improvement does not accept the status quo; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

Planning and Organising- 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.

Judgement/Decision-making   - Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary.

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 & Experience

• A first-level University Degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in Finance, Business Administration, Commerce, Economics or related field with 2 years of relevant experience;
• Secondary Education (High school) with six (6) years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the university degree.

Experience

• Two (2) years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing Finance and budget advisory services and/or managing staff and operational systems;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Office 2013 and/or newer versions) and advance knowledge in spreadsheet and database packages desired.

Languages

• Fluency in English (writing, reading and speaking) is required;
• Fluency in Somali (writing, reading and speaking) is required;
• Knowledge of a UN official language is desirable.