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

Responsibilities

• Providing a full range of project financial management and implementation assistance at all phases of programme/project cycle by:
• Assisting out-posted Administrative and Fund Management officers (AFMOs) in the preparation of new project documents as well as revision and closure of projects.
• Assisting in the preparation of the UNEP Executive Director's report to the Conference of Parties, including project revisions and project closures.
• Providing support to the relevant out-posted offices and Regional Seas Commissions in obtaining approval from the Corporate Services Division (CSD)/Finance.
• Reviewing and facilitating the issuance of sub-allotments, cash advances and payments.
• Carrying out analysis and evaluation of on-going and completed projects in consultation with the out posted AFMOs.
• Liaising with the contributions unit to monitor receipt of contributions for relevant projects.
• Supporting project managers in developing resource requirements for budget submissions.
• Ensuring that the Division is not accumulating a backlog of projects due for closure.
• Reviewing, analyzing, and assisting in the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, focusing on both staff and non-staff requirements.:
• Administering resources and monitoring budget implementation, recommending reallocation of funds.
• Reviewing, analyzing and processing expenditure reports from external partners.
• Recording expenditure adjustments.
• Identifying and resolving issues as they arise by recommending appropriate actions, and assisting out-posted Fund Management Officers in following up on transactions recorded by the Accounts Section.
• Assisting the Head of the Fund Management Unit in the periodical assessment of the Division exposure to financial risk.
• Issuing obligation documents, monitoring the status of outstanding obligations through periodic reviews, and advising the relevant fund management sub-unit on matters related to their constituency.
• Initiating periodic reviews of outstanding receivable documents and advising the relevant fund management sub-unit on issues pertaining to their constituency.
• Assisting in the preparation of budget performance submissions, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
• Participating in the year end accounts closure.
• Attending to Corporate Auditing requests.
• Preparing financial statements for projects to donors when requested.
• Drafting or preparing correspondence through:
• Maintaining records related to project management and budgetary matters.  
• Identifying procedures and guidelines to improve the administrative flow.
• Providing guidance, training and daily supervision to other general service staff within the unit in their areas of responsibility.
• Keeping up to date on documents/reports/guidelines.
• Data related work:
• 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.
• Performing other related duties as required.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

• Supplementary technical training in the field of accounting, finance and business administration is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of work experience in finance, budget, accounting, administrative services or related area is required.
• The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to eight (8) years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher.
• Work experience interpreting and applying administrative and financial policies is desirable
• Experience working with an Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP) such as SAP is desirable.
• Work experience within the United Nations common system or similar international organization is desirable.
• One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.