Finance and Budget Officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Reimbursement Claims Management and Performance Section (RCMPS) of the Uniformed Capabilities Support Division (UCSD) in the Department of Operational Support (DOS). The incumbent will report to the Chief of Section.

DOS was established to provide end-to-end operational support, advisory services and other solutions to operating entities across the Secretariat, including other departments, offices-away-from headquarters, field missions, and regional commissions.

UCSD will serve as the single point of entry within the Secretariat for operational and policy matters relating to support and reimbursement to military and police contingents deployed to United Nations field operations. Reimbursement payments to contributing countries are one of the largest costs of United Nations peacekeeping.

RCMPS will be responsible for the calculations, analysis and processing of reimbursement to troop-and police-contributing countries on account of contingent personnel, major equipment and self-sustainment, as well as death and disability compensation for all uniformed personnel.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Finance and Budget Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

•Participates in Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) negotiations with Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) for mission deployments to the field and finalizes the MOU for signature between the TCCs and the UN.
•Reviews, analyses certifies and processes claims in respect of Contingent Owned Equipment (COE) death and disability awards and claims from third-parties, commercial entities, individuals and troop-contributing countries under letter-of-assist.
•Reviews supporting documentation, verifies accuracy and reasonableness of claims, and prepares draft certification for forwarding to the Controller for final settlement of claims
•Provides substantive support, advice and guidance to Permanent Missions of TCCs and Police Contributing Countries (PCCs) on issues pertaining to contingent personnel and equipment reimbursement frameworks, and death and disability compensation matters to relevant field operations.
•Provides support to Permanent Missions by delivering briefings on COE policies and procedures to report on status of reimbursement of TCC and PCCs; discusses matters relating to claims, participates in pre-deployment visits and negotiations with troop-contributing countries.
•Coordinates the preparation and finalization of cost estimates for budget and planning purposes.
•Provides briefings to Senior Management to report on status of reimbursement for TCCs/PCCs.
•Prepares regular and ad hoc management reports, and reviews, analyses and updates data in claims database.
•Provides substantive support and guidance to Headquarters and field missions, reviews and analyses data with respect to the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals and monitors expenditures, in respect of major equipment and self-sustainment categories.
•Monitors, reviews and supervises the work of subordinate staff involved in routine claims verification and processing, providing guidance, basic interpretation of policies and training.
•Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to COE levels agreed to in MOU, ensuring compliance with signed MOUs and MOU Manual.
•Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of financial management and accounting practices; in-depth knowledge of financial administration of resources. Knowledge of MOU and claims practices and in the application of policies, financial rules and regulations. Good understanding of exchange rates, depreciation formulas, accounting principles, and inventory management. Ability to identify issues and to use sound judgment; analytical and conceptual abilities. Ability to prepare reports, formulate positions on issues, articulate options concisely conveying maximum necessary information, and making and defending recommendations. Knowledge of the United Nations legislative machinery and procedures, budgetary policies and practices, financial regulations and rules. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning and 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.

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.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in Finance, Management, Public and Business Administration, Accounting or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Professional accreditation as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant or a similar professional accreditation is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in finance, administration, budget, business administration or related area is required.
Three years of experience in budget development and financial administration of resources at the international level is required.
Thorough knowledge of the use of computer systems, such as financial modules, automated budgeting and accounting systems, and other spreadsheets and word processing applications is required.
Experience in military or police planning operations and associated equipment and concepts is desirable.
Experience working in or in support of peacekeeping or similar field operations is desirable.
Experience in processing complex claims based on negotiated multi-stakeholders agreements is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required; Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

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.

This post is financed by the Support Account for Peacekeeping Operations. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.

The appointment or assignment and renewal therefore is subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

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.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

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, 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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

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.