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CHIEF OF SECTION, FINANCE AND BUDGET

Multiple locations

  • Organization: UNDOS - United Nations Department of Operational Support
  • Location: Multiple locations
  • Grade: Senior level - P-5, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Administrative support
    • Banking and Finance
    • Management and AdministrationFinance
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date: Closed

Org. Setting and Reporting

These positions are located in large sized United Nations Field Missions. The Chief of Section, Finance and Budget reports to the Chief Operations and Resource Management at D-1 level and is responsible for leading the section in its delivery of strategic support and business intelligence, including advice to operational counterparts and senior leadership on financial resourcing and stewardship and organizational performance of the mission in line with mission priorities.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Chief of Section, Finance and Budget will be responsible for the following duties:

•Acts as the principal advisor to senior leadership on questions related to financial resourcing and stewardship, and organizational performance in line with mission priorities and provides advice on new approaches and practices.
•Leads the Finance and Budget Section guiding and coordinating the efforts towards the achievement of programme objectives.

Strategic Resourcing and Stewardship:

•Leads the mission’s budget development programme, providing guidance and coordination with respect to the establishment of major resourcing priorities, preparation of comprehensive budget submissions, application of results-based budgeting principles, analysis of the costs and benefits of major new proposals, and coordination of performance reporting;
•Provides leadership and guidance to programme and resource managers throughout the mission, and acting on behalf of the mission at UNHQ, in the monitoring of budgetary execution and financial performance to identify issues, priorities timely solutions, and exceptions warranting further action as well as in participating in projects to enhance the cost-effectiveness of mission activities; Monitors achievements of objectives;
•Effectively leads the financial administration of the mission, including the provision of authoritative advice with regard to the UN’s Financial Regulations and Rules;
•Prepares financial models, estimates and cost-benefit analysis in response to planning for and implementing major operational changes including the preparation of financial implications of mandates or programme adjustments;
•Supports the legislative review processes especially the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) and the 5th Committee of the General Assembly;
• Ensures that the financial accounts of the mission are continually maintained, monitored and that annual financial statements are certified in accordance with the requirements of the UN Controller and UN Financial Regulations and Rules;
•Ensures that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained in accordance with the UN’s Financial Regulations and Rules and proper management of mission resources;
•Leads the preparation of the mission’s draft responses with regards to audits findings and recommendations from both the Board of external auditors and Office of Internal Oversight Services(OIOS); Provides advice and corrective actions;
•Acts as the secretary to the mission’s resource stewardship executive Group.

Performance Monitoring:

•Ensures strong management reporting practices and business intelligence for effective and efficient budgetary and performance management, integrating all aspects of the mission’s operations and identifying remedial actions;
•Leads ongoing monitoring, analysis and reporting to ensure that the mission’s organizational performance is tracking with set targets and resource requirements are aligned with mandates and other priorities;

Other:

•Plans, organizes, directs the activities of multiple teams and resources of the Section. Manages the staff of the section in prioritizing, planning and assigning responsibilities, developing and maintaining needed expertise and knowledge, and identifying opportunities for improvement including their on-going learning and career development;
•Represents the mission on crosscutting projects and initiatives to improve resource management, financial operations in field operations;
•Ensures an effective cashier function as needed.
•Ensures that all activities within Finance and Budget Section are in compliance with the DPKO/DFS Environmental and Waste Management policies and in line with the DFS Environment Strategy objectives; coordinates with the mission's environmental officer for guidance as needed.
•Serves on formal oversight and decision-making bodies established in the mission, including the Local Committee on Contracts and Local Property Survey Board.
•Performs other related duties as assigned.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Professionalism: Advanced knowledge of financial and budgetary principles and practices, budget development and financial administration of resources. Ability to develop comprehensive budgetary policies, procedures and new programmes. Ability to formulate new strategies and technical approaches to complex budgetary matters. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matters. 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.

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.

Managerial Competencies:

Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, finance, or related field. A relevant combination of a first level academic qualification and two additional years of extensive experience in accounting, budget or finance may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or similar recognized professional designation is required. A combination of qualifying experience in accounting, budget, or finance (as described in the work experience section below) coupled with active enrollment in a CPA or related professional designation program, may be accepted in lieu.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in finance, budget, administration, public administration, business administration, or related area is required. Experience managing a large, multi-functional team is required. Experience in cost management, budget formulation, financial monitoring, accounting, audit, financial reporting or other related areas is required. Experience in translating strategies into financial plans and operations is required. Experience working with international or multi-national organizations is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; Fluency in English or French is required; Knowledge of English is required; Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

The United Nations Secretariat maintains rosters of qualified candidates to fill anticipated job openings in peacekeeping operations, special political missions, and other field operations. The purpose of this job opening is to generate a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in the Chief of Section, Finance and Budget (P5) roster.

Please note that the Chief of Section, Finance and Budget (P5) positions are typically in a volatile, conflict or post-conflict locations in non-family and/or hardship duty stations.

The Chief of Section, Finance and Budget may also be housed in camp environments. An updated list of missions and additional information on working in the field can be found at https://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/about/work.shtml

The entire assessment process takes an average of six months; all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently will be invited to apply for field mission vacancies open only to roster members.

Roster membership does not guarantee selection.

United Nations Considerations

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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.

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.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

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.

This vacancy is now closed.
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