Budget Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The overall objective of the Planning, Budgeting, Monitoring and Evaluation (PBM) Unit is to lead the organization's processes and capacity building in the planning, implementation, evaluation and reporting of result-based and integrated programme management toward achievement of African countries' health and development goals. The PBM Unit leads the regional process for the development of the program budget and associated work plans; guides and supports all offices in efficient activity and budget implementation; facilitates the Program Budget allocations; and supports performance monitoring, and assessment within WHO global review processes, ensuring strict adherence to organizational guidelines and standards. The PBM Unit also leads or contributes to programmatic and thematic evaluations at the regional, inter-country and country level.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the PBM Coordinator, and the overall guidance of the Director Programme Management (DPM), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to the following duties:--> Coordinate the development of the Planning and Budget allocations and their distribution across Budget Centres;--> Analyse proposals in terms of budgetary objectives, past and present operating budgets, and trends in patterns of resource allocations;--> Manage programme budget allocations in General Ledger based on approved decisions from budget holders; --> Review work plans and control planned costs against budget allocations;--> Provide authoritative advice and guidance regarding the organization's budget-management practices and interpretation to resolve difficult and unusual cases;--> Monitor planned costs against budget allocations in the proposed work plans and facilitate modifications as appropriate;--> Analyse records of present and past operations, trends and costs, estimated and realized revenues, administrative commitments, and obligations incurred;--> Follow up and record all budget revision requests (BRR) for budget allocation increases or shifts from Budget Centres;--> Lead the preparation of the Journal Voucher based on BRR for its implementation by PRP/HQ;--> Guide and support Budget Planning and monitoring of work units;--> Develop and implement a template to standardize costing elements and monitor its implementation as well as other improved systems and procedures to simplify and streamline budget-management processes and transactions;--> Provide guidance to the operational process and the technical and financial monitoring of workplan implementation;--> Contribute to the initiation and revision of planning elements in PBM activity and Human Resources plans;--> Contribute to the development/revision of outputs including performance indicators;--> Make recommendations to senior management on questions of financial policy, including those which may be the subject of interagency/partnership consultations;--> Oversee the development and implementation of budgeting systems which provide control of expenditures; interpret accounts and records of management;--> Develop or revise and interpret budget directives and guidelines; --> Prepare replies to internal and external audit observations relating to the organization's budget management;--> Provide leadership to and manage the staff under his/her responsibility; ensure their performance, continuous development and engagement, promoting a culture of working across clusters, and integrity in accordance with the--> Organization's policies, rules, procedures, and values;--> Contribute to resource mobilization for the Unit's work;--> Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree in accountancy, business administration, management, financial management or budgeting.
Desirable: Accounting or financial management qualification/certification (Certified Accountant CA, Certified Public Accountant CPA, ACCA, CIMA, CPFA, etc.)

Experience

Essential: A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible, professional experience in (the management of) planning, budgeting, financial implementation and reporting programmes, with a minimum of 5 years inclusive in the United Nations' funds, programmes or agencies.
Desirable: A minimum of three (3) years of relevant professional experience in accounting and consolidation of financial reports using ERP systems with United Nations agencies.

Skills

--> Sound knowledge of management principles, practices and techniques of budgetary management, strategic and operational planning, and programme assessment;--> Knowledge and skills to effectively coordinate budget formulation and forecasts;--> Knowledge and skills to guide management and functionaries in sound budget and financial management practices and organizational regulations; --> Demonstrated ability to prepare and explain budget reports to non-financial managers;--> Knowledge of the application of Results Based planning principles; --> Proven ability to resolve difficult situations, respond positively to change, identify client's needs and propose alternative workable solutions;--> Strong organizational skills, as well as the capacity to lead dialogue and negotiations;-->Excellent analytical skills.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Promoting innovation and organizational learning
Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.
The above language requirements are interchangeable.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 73,516 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 3921 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.