Finance and Budget Assistant at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Responsibilities

This position is located in UNEP's Corporate Services Division at the Nairobi duty station. Under the supervision of the Chief, Financial Management Service, the Finance and Budget Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

BUDGET:

• May act as Certifying Officer on behalf of and in the absence of programme managers at offices outside of headquarters.
• Providing support with respect to the review, analyses and preparation of the medium-term plan and its revisions.
• Preparing supporting documents (narrative and supporting tables) with respect to finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements.
• Assisting managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions.
• Undertaking research and providing support to higher level Finance and Budget Officers with respect to budget reviews of relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies.
• Monitoring expenditures and comparing with approved budget; preparing adjustments as necessary.
• CLAIMS:
• Reviewing, analyzing and preparing payments to third-parties, commercial entities, with respect to settlement of certified death and disability, contingent-owned equipment, stores, pay and allowances, and letters of assist claims.
• TREASURY:
• Monitoring/reviewing methods used to remit payments and supervises investigation of nonreceipt of payments.
• Assisting cashier in the daily operation of the Cashier's Unit responsible for the transmittal of payments worldwide.
• Reviewing incoming payment instructions with regard to banking details and sources of funds.
• Preparing payments for final disbursement by Cashier.
• Dispatching payment instructions and cheques to banks.
• Creating receipts and deposits for all incoming funds.
• Notifying payees of status of payments.
• Assisting staff members, Fund Management Officers and donors regarding queries on payment and deposit-related issues.
• Identifying and annotating bank account movements.
• Monitoring bank balances worldwide.
• Assisting Cashier in cash management and investment issues, including cash flow forecasts.
• Liaising with banks worldwide regarding outstanding items and payment instructions.
• Investigating complaints of non-receipt.
• Monitoring cheque stock and ordering new stock as required.
• Filing and archiving as required.
• GENERAL:
• Keeping up to date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures.
• Drafting or preparing correspondence to respond to inquiries in respect to relevant financial and budget matters.
• Maintaining and keeping up-to-date files.
• Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.
• Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.
• May be responsible for providing guidance, training and daily supervision to other general service staff in the area of responsibility.
• Performing other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment. Knowledge, skills and ability to extract, interpret, analyse and format data across the full range of finance and budget functions, including programme development and database management, claims and treasury operations. Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies and operational problems. The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. 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.
• TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• 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.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

• Additional technical qualifications as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or equivalent, is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant work experience in finance, budget, accounting, administrative services or related area is required.
• Experience working in an international organization is desirable.
• Experience in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems especially focusing on the cleanup of receivables balances in the UN ERP System (Umoja), is desirable.
• One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area 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 official United Nations language is a desirable.