Budget Assistant (G5)

Background:

The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, combating human trafficking, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis. 

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the principal institution of the OSCE responsible for the human dimension. The ODIHR’s activities are implemented in 57 participating States in accordance with the ODIHR’s political mandate. Among the ODIHR’s main fields of activity are election observation and large number of assistance projects in the areas of democratic institution building, the rule of law and human rights. 

The Finance Unit is a part of the Common Services Department of Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The objective of the Finance Unit is to provide quality support services to ODIHR programmatic departments in the areas of budgetary planning and control, management of travel-related finance, maintenance of general ledger accounts, and provision of treasury and cash management services.  The Finance Unit also plays one of the main roles in supporting ODIHR field operations (mainly Election Observation Activities) by delivering finance support services by designated Finance staff. 

The Elections Finance sub-unit is responsible for providing accounting and treasury activities to Election Observation Activities in the field as well as project support services to the Elections department in Warsaw in the areas of Budget & Forecasting, Financial Oversight & Control and Budget Advisory.

While the Duty Station for this post is Warsaw, Poland, the job requires extensive travel and spending approximately 75% of the year in the field, supporting EOAs deployed to all OSCE participating States.

Tasks and Responsibilities: 

Under the general supervision of the Associate Finance Officer (Elections), by applying and interpreting OSCE and ODIHR financial rules and regulations in the context of the ODIHR operating environment, the incumbent will perform the following functions:

1. Supporting the execution of Elections Department objectives by preparing budgets for elections activities based on data obtained from programmatic staff, official data sources and professional experience.
2. Supporting management decision making regarding the efficient and effective use of budgetary resources and supports stakeholder compliance by monitoring budget utilisation, forecasting expected results and preparing budget utilization reports. 
3. Ensuring effective utilization of budgeted resources by reviewing proposed expenditures for authorization and availability of funds, and for compliance with regulations.
4. Supporting the effective utilization of budget funds by providing support and guidance to colleagues on approaches to effectively manage budgets, providing training and advice on policies/procedures, communicating issues and initiating corrective actions in relation to expenditures.
5. Ensuring accuracy of financial records by recording transactions in the general ledger system; analysing results, investigating discrepancies and recording correction transactions; reviewing, reconciling and taking action on outstanding balances; and providing information for reviews and audits.
6. Ensuring accuracy of treasury management in support of election activities, including processing of funds replenishment requests, processing of cash payments and bank transfers. Facilitating opening and closure of ODIHR bank accounts in the countries where election activities are conducted. 
7. Ensuring recovery of costs and accuracy of accounting process for reimbursement from participating States by estimating cost distributions, preparing and issuing claims, reconciling expenditures and following up on outstanding balances.
8. Supporting the Procurement function of Election Observation Activities (EOAs). 
9. Carrying out any other duties as required by the Supervisor.

  
Necessary qualifications:

•    Completion of secondary education;
•    At least 4 years of relevant experience in finance, accounting, budget or related areas;
•    Experience using financial modules of Enterprise Resource Planning systems;
•    Experience within a donor-funded and/or international organisation;
•    Experience with budget and project financial management processes;
•    Computer literate with practical experience with Microsoft applications;
•    Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English; 
•    Knowledge of the Russian language is desirable.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration, subject to social security deductions, is approximately PLN 6,900. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Poland.  Social security will include participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme (current approximate deduction for a staff member is 56 Euro) and OSCE Provident Fund. The Organization contributes an additional amount equivalent to 15% of the employee's salary to this pension-style fund while the employee contributes 7.5%. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System for general services employees.

Appointments are normally made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale. 

How to apply:
    
If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org. 
 

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, to offer an appointment at a lower grade or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration. 
 

Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.
 

Please note that vacancies in the OSCE are open for competition only amongst nationals of participating States, please see https://www.osce.org/participating-states.
 

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.
 

Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.
 

Please note that for this position the OSCE does not reimburse expenses such as travel in connection with interviews, tests, visas and relocation.
 

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.