Finance and Budget Officer – UNITAMS
Job Opening
| Job Opening Number | 22-Finance-UNITAMS-186923-J-Khartoum (X) |
| Job Code Title | Finance and Budget Officer |
| Department/Office | United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan |
| Duty Station | KHARTOUM |
| Posting Period | 21 July 2022 – 27 July 2022 |
| Staffing Exercise | N/A |
Org. Setting and Reporting
The position is located in the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). The United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 2524 (2020) authorizing the mandate of UNITAMS which is to assist the political transition, progress towards democratic governance, in the protection and promotion of human rights, and sustainable peace; support peace processes and implementation of future peace agreements; assist peacebuilding, civilian protection and rule of law, in particular in Blue Nile and South Kordofan (the Two Areas) and Darfur; and support the mobilisation of economic and development assistance and coordination of humanitarian assistance.
The position is based in Khartoum. The post is being funded through extra-budgetary resources and the duration is only limited to the availability of extra-budgetary funding.
Within the delegated authority, the incumbent will report to the Chief Budget and Finance Officer.
Responsibilities
The Finance and Budget Officer manages a complete and homogeneous operation of the Mission’s financial management system, including preparation and monitoring of mission’s budgetary resources, fund redeployments and performance reporting; processing of payments and accurate recording of the financial transactions of the mission.
Within the delegation of authority and under the supervision of the Chief Budget and Finance Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties;
Budgeting:
• Prepare cost estimates/plans and budget proposals, in terms of mission’s resourcing requirements such as staff and non-staff requirements, including programmatic aspects; review, analyse and revise data with respect to the finalization of the budget proposals as well as Result Based Budgeting inputs.
• Provide support to programme managers (Substantive and Support Sections) with respect to Trust Fund/grant resource requirements for budget submissions.
• Administer and monitor extra-budgetary resources for Trust Funds/grants, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures.
• Administrate the Trust Fund’s/grant’s allotments in accordance with the established procedures including redeployment/reallocation of funds.
• Ensure 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; Provide support and guidance to fund centre/programme managers on budget implementation and corrective actions where necessary.
• Advise and ensure that only valid year-end budget commitments confirming with established criteria are valid for carrying forward.
• Prepare the budget performance report of the mission and ensure that correct and accurate data and information are provided by the various programme/fund centre managers in compliance with the Controller’s instructions. Review and finalise the performance reports ensuring valid and adequate variance explanations between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
Accounting:
• Analyse complex/unusual accounting transactions and open items in the accounting system and implement corrective actions.
• Review and reconcile various clearing accounts, investigate erroneous/invalid entries and take appropriate corrective accounting action.
• Review and verify that appropriate relevant supporting documents have been provided by Implementing Partners for the processing of payments.
• Analyze and monitor open item managed accounts (OIM) relating to the Trust Fund/grant in the ERP system (Umoja) and initiate corrective action.
• Reviewing outstanding receivables and following up on outstanding reports, coordinating the submission of interim and final reports, and coordinating project closure activities.
• Supervise the disbursement of payments and monitor cash balances and transactions of the Trust Fund/grant.
• Manage cash flow requirements of the mission; Verify imprest documentation and prepare imprest statements.
• Act as Approving Officer under Financial Rule 105.4 in adherence with the UN Regulations and Rules.
• Provide 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 under the supervision/guidance of the Chief Finance and Budget Officer.
• Perform other duties as required.
General:
• Reviews and analyzes various reports and advises management on any operational gaps and make recommendations for corrective action as appropriate
• Monitor the end-to-end process of the project from the date of signing a contractual obligation (Memorandum of Understanding or Financial Agreement) with an Implementing Partner, including instalment disbursements, reviewing outstanding receivables and settlements
• Respond to queries and review correspondence in relation to Trust Fund/grant budgetary and financial matters from management, clients (internal and external), auditors and other stakeholders.
• Analyses administrative practices and procedures with the aim of identifying possible areas of improvements in order to enhance effectiveness, efficiency and transparency
• Ensures that accurate and complete accounting; reporting and internal control systems are functioning.
• Ensure that all relevant records and audit trails are maintained.
Competencies
• PROFESSIONALISM: 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 & 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.
• ACCOUNTABILITY -Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments -Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards -Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules -Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments -Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
Education
High school diploma or equivalent is required. Technical or vocational certificate/diploma in accounting and finance, project management or in financial management is desirable.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience within the United Nations system or in the private sector at the national or international level in accounting, budgeting or financial management is required
Experience in grants management, including reviewing payment requests and financial reports, analyzing, recording, and trouble-shooting complex transactions relating to programmatic activities using the Implementing Partner (IP) module within Umoja is desirable.
Experience in area of work both outside and in the UN Field Service is desirable
Experience in international operations in a post conflict environment is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a written assessment and a UN competency based formal interview.
Special Notice
The post is being funded through extra-budgetary resources and the duration is for an initial period of six (6) months with the possibility of extension, subject to the availability of extra-budgetary funding.
The selected candidate is expected to start as soon as possible.
This position is temporarily available. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.
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.
