Senior Finance and Budget Assistant

ECA's mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 SDGs and Agenda 2063. The mission is guided by ECA's five new strategic directions which are: advancing ECA's position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent's problems and take local solutions to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa's position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues. This position is in the Facilities Management Section of the Administration & Conference Management Division (FMS, ACMD) at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The incumbent will work under the general supervision of the Chief (or delegate)

Within delegated authority, the Senior Finance and Budget Assistant may be responsible for the following duties: I. Handles allotment advice and monitor approved budgets for all projects and activities that are carried out by the Section and review all appropriations. These include: - Discusses with Units Heads in FMS and prepare budget, yearly procurement and activity plan; - Distributes allotted approved budget to each Unit as per their procurement plan; - Follows up and record appropriations from the allotted budget and issues monthly reports; - Compare the financial usage of each Unit against their procurement and activity plans; - Prepares financial analysis and reports to the Chief FMS for evaluation and further appropriate action; - Advise all Units of the Section in the area of projects activities, proper use of funds and in procurement and financial activities and procedures; - Create advice and implements the proper flow of financially related information within the Section and with corresponding offices; - Handles all budgetary, financial and related activities and regularly provides reports to Chief of the Section; - Implement all accounting procedures as per IPSAS requirements; - Ensure that assets that fall under the custody of the Section are recognized, recorded and reported; - Ensures that all PP&E under the Section arc well accounted for in the financial statements of the UN; - Ensure that PP&E are recognized and registered as soon as title of ownership is transferred to UN as well as construction is completed; - Follow up on audit recommendations. II. Handles and operates UMOJA related actions for all approved requests. These include: - Create pre-encumbrances for goods, services, utilities, individual contractors & consultants and provide information to appropriate officials for review and approval; - Create obligation documents (OBID) for consultants and individual contractors and submit them to HRSS for further processing; - Inspect monthly claims of individual contractors/consultants in UMOJA; - Creates Consultant & Individual Contractors claims and forwards to Finance Section for approval and payment; - Edits approved pre-encumbrances and make them checked and transferred to SCMS for procurement action; - Amends pre-encumbrances for goods, services, Consultant & Individual Contractors whenever necessary following agreed appropriate procedures. III. Ensures the correctness of all procurements requests made by all Units and follows up their acquisitions in time. These include: - Ensures application of UN Financial rules and regulations; - Assigns appropriate account numbers to procurement requests; - Keeps relevant financial records of the Section; - Ascertains that all requests for goods, work, and services are as per the procurement plan and are in line with UN procurement manual . IV. Prepares annual budget proposal. These include: - Collects proper data on procurement from all Units in FMS; - Compiles and consolidate all annual draft budget proposal; - Discusses with all concerned on the draft budget; - Compile final budget proposal, discussions with Chief of Section for preparation of the final draft; - Prepare final budget proposal and submit it to Budget Unit of UNECA; - Monitor budget implementation/expenditures and recommend allocation of funds as necessary; - Prepare budget performance submissions, analyse variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures; - Monitor integrity of various financial database; - Verify accuracy of input data, ensuring consistency of data in previous allotments to new allotments issued; - Co-ordinate with other finance and budget staff on related issues during preparation of budget reports. V. Follow up and update Consultant & Individual Contractors of the Section. These include: - Prepare memos for recruitment of Consultant & Individual Contractors and for extension of Consultant & Individual Contractors contract whenever appropriate; - Receive processed Consultant & Individual Contractors contracts from HRMS, make an Individual Contractor/Consultant sign and distribute copy of contracts to appropriate offices. VI. Claims - Reviews, analyses and processes payments to third parties, commercial entities and individuals with respect to settlement of obligation of the section. - Act as a certifying officer on behalf of and in the absence of the programme manager; - Certify payments for approved overtime work done by staff of the Section. VII. Performs any other duties as assigned by the Chief of the Section.

Professionalism: Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment. Knowledge, skills and ability to extract, interpret, analyze and format data across the full range of finance and budget functions, including program development and database management, claims and treasury operations. Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies and operational problems. 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 cairn 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. The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. 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& 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.

High School Diploma or equivalent required. Certificate/Diploma in Accounting, Finance or directly related field is highly desirable combined with computer application skills.

Not available.

At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible work experience in finance, budget, accounting, and 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. Proficiency in MS Word. Excel. Knowledge of Umoja is desirable. One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult

https://languages.un.org

for details).

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Required Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

English

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

Desirable Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

French

UN Level I

UN Level I

UN Level I

UN Level I

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

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. 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. Internal Applicants – When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience, and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. 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. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. 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. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgment within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Contact Us" link.

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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