FINANCE AND BUDGET ASSISTANT

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the Finance and Budget Unit, in the Operations and Resource Management Section, Mission Support Division of the United Nations Verification Mission for Colombia. The position is based in Bogota, Colombia. The incumbent will be under the supervision of the Finance and Budget Officer and the overall supervision of the Chief Finance and Budget Officer.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of Finance and Budget Officer and the overall guidance of the Chief Finance and Budget Officer, the Finance and Budget Assistant may be responsible for the following duties:

• Assists with the preparation/formulation of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of mission's financial resourcing requirements such as staff and non-staff requirements in compliance with the Controller's instructions, including programmatic aspects; assists, reviews and revises data with respect to the finalization of the budget proposals including Supplementary Information.
• Assists in preparing the mission for Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) and the 5th Committee budget sessions and Q&A.
• Assists in supporting programme/fund center managers in implementing and utilizing the given budget with respect to the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions.
• Provides guidelines and verification on coding block for mission acquisition/requisition requests and for any other non-staff cost requirements.
• Supports the administration and monitoring of extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations, rules, and established policies and procedures.
• Processes the mission’s redeployment of funds in accordance with the established procedures.
• Supports the review in ensuring the efficient and effective use of budgetary resources through robust monitoring of budget utilization to the approved budget and timely provision of information to Mission management for decision making. Provides support and guidance to fund centers/program managers on budget implementation and processes corrective actions where necessary.
• Assists with the preparation of budget performance/projection reports for the mission, ensuring that correct and accurate data/information is provided by the various program/fund center managers in compliance with the Controller's instructions. Assists with the review and finaliszes performance reports ensuring valid and adequate variance explanations between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
• Provides support to Fund Center managers for the year-end reviews of budget commitments in accordance with established criteria.
• Generates and assists in the preparation of budgetary reports, including statistical/financial data for tables, charts, spreadsheets, and presentation using office software and templates; and prepares and customizes financial reports.
• Drafts correspondence and communications related to all aspects of program/project administration, including work plans and budgets, revisions, and other related issues, as well as prepares the unit's contributions for a variety of periodic reports.
• Under the guidance of the supervisor, provides advice, financial interpretations, adaptations, and corrective actions in response to audits and other queries to ensure adherence to the UN Financial Regulations and Rules, Staff Rules, Administrative Instructions, Bulletins, and Circulars.
• Assists in performing analysis, preparation and delivery of strategic support and business intelligence to operational counterparts and mission leadership on financial resourcing and stewardship, and organizational performance of the mission, in line with mission priorities.
• Assists in planning, monitoring, and reporting of financial and operational performance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of accounting, finance, and budget functions and treasury operations. Knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards. Knowledge of United Nations Financial Rules and Regulations, and related financial policies. Ability to analyze and apply data across the full range of finance, accounting, and budget functions. Demonstrated use of initiative and ability to make appropriate linkages in work processes and anticipate next steps showing skills and ability to analyses and interpret financial data. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects 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.

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 clients.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

A technical or vocational certificate in accounting, finance, budget, business administration or related field is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in finance, budget, accounts, audit, business administration or related area is required.

Experience in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), particularly in budget formulation, financial monitoring, financial reporting, or other related areas is required.

Experience working with Microsoft softwares such as: Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Power Business Intelligence or similar programmes involving work with large data sets and calculations is desirable.

Experience in budgetary and financial administration of the United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions), UN agencies, funds, and programs) or similar international organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of Spanish is required.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Rostered candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. If a rostered candidates is found suitable, s/he will be selected and the job opening will be closed without the need to submit the case to Field Central Review Body (FCRB).

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

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.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Candidates interested to work for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia may wish to check out our Realistic Job Preview videos to get an idea of the living and working conditions in different duty stations in Colombia.: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-8SCkVjg-e3073SwTDG1VQf1oLTWfUQ4

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.

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.