Director, Programme Planning & Budget Division

This position is located in the Programme Planning and Budget Division. The Director reports to the Assistant Secretary-General (ASG), Controller. In line with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, PPBD is responsible for formulating plans and forecasting the resource requirements in line with the legislative intent, and developing and implementing policies, procedures and methodologies related to the programme budget. This includes preparing and presenting plan outlines, budgets, performance reports and other reports containing cost-estimates to legislative bodies and providing guidance on budgetary matters. PPBD facilitates decision-making on planning and budgetary issues by supporting the General Assembly and its subsidiary organs with substantive services. PPBD’s focus is on estimating in an accurate and timely manner the activities and related resources required to implement mandates, by providing support to a very diverse pool of clients and stakeholders, optimizing processes and leveraging technology for continuous improvement. PPBD encourages staff to develop new skills and to join change initiatives.

Within delegated authority, the Director will be responsible for the following. • Directs and manages the programme of the Programme Planning and Budget Division. • Contributes to the formulation of the department’s overall strategies and policies by participating in various committees, preparing documents on policy issues, and acting, as required, in an advisory capacity to the USG/ASG; contributes to the overall management of the Department’s activities and operations. • Develops and implements policies, procedures and methodology and provides strategic guidance and support to regular budget funded entities consistent with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and the Regulations and Rules Governing Programme Planning, the Programme Aspect of the Budget, the Monitoring of Implementation and the Methods of Evaluation, on matters related to the programme plan, programme budget, financial stewardship and extrabudgetary resources. • Provides strategic guidance to all Secretariat entities through the preparation of the triennial plan outline and with respect to results-based management. Contributes to reinforcing a culture of results-based management across all entities and funding sources and to harmonization of results frameworks. • Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Division under his/her supervision, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. • Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Division, ensuring that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas both within the Division and Department, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors and agencies as appropriate. • Monitors the liquidity situation of the regular budget. • Coordinates and oversees the preparation of the Secretary-General's programme budgets, performance reports and other reports on programme planning and budgetary matters, including statements of programme budget implications of new activities, as well as revised or supplementary programme budget proposals, including unforeseen and extraordinary expenses for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate. • Represents and assists the Assistant Secretary-General, Controller, and legislative bodies on the process of reviewing policy, plan outline, programme plans, budgetary estimates, budget implementation and similar issues to the financing of regular budget funded entities as may be directed. Leads the engagement with Member States representatives on matters related to the programme budget. • Oversees the formulation of enhancement requirements for the Umoja module that includes the budget formulation and control system and related reporting capacity, and for improving access to data analytics products for all relevant stakeholders. • Oversees the recruitment of staff for Office/Division taking due account geographical and gender balance and other institutional values. • Performs other related duties as requested by the senior management of the Organization. • Provide strategic leadership in the planning, implementation, and oversight of programme planning and budgeting activities, ensuring full alignment with organizational mandates, legislative directives, and results-based management principles. • Drive innovation and continuous improvement in programme planning, budgeting, and performance management frameworks, including the modernization of policies, processes, tools and data products to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability. • Serve as a principal advisor to senior leadership on budgetary policy, resource allocation, and emerging trends in financial management, including enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and data analytics, to support evidence-based decision-making.

Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to provide strategic guidance and oversight in the area of results-based budgeting and management. Demonstrates skills and ability to identify issues including political sensitivities, formulate options, draw conclusions and recommend solutions. Shows ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Shows ability to apply UN regulations, rules, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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. Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. Judgement/Decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, law, economics social sciences or related area is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Not available.

Over fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in financial management and budgeting is required. At least five years of senior management experience including technical leadership, in programme and project management and budgeting are required. Experience in leading the presentation of proposals to legislative or governing bodies in the United Nations or other inter-governmental organizations is required. Experience in managing finance or budgeting teams in the United Nations or other inter-governmental organizations or public sector entity is desirable. Experience with working in or supporting field operations in the United Nations or agencies, funds and programmes is desirable. Experience with leading improvements in budgetary and financial processes and applications and data products 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 an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

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. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 May 2026, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must meet the applicable geographical or lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy, taking into account that selection to the post may itself constitute a qualifying move, in accordance with the relevant administrative issuances. Staff members are encouraged to ensure that all qualifying geographical or lateral moves are accurately reflected in their applicant profile. Please refer to ST/AI/2025/2 on the Staff selection system for more details. Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter.

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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