Senior Finance and Budget Assistant
Nairobi
- Organization: UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme
- Location: Nairobi
- Grade: Administrative support - GS-7, General Service - No need for Higher Education - Locally recruited position
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Occupational Groups:
- Operations and Administrations
- Administrative support
- Banking and Finance
- Closing Date: 2025-03-18
Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP's Early Warning and Assessment Division (EWAD) is responsible for analyzing the state of the global environment, providing early warning information and assessing global and regional environmental trends to catalyze and promote international cooperation and action on the environment. This post is located in the Climate Early Warning and Capacity Building Unit of the EWAD, at the Nairobi Duty Station. Under the direct supervision of the Associate Administrative Officer and the Head of the Climate Early Warning and Capacity Building Unit, the incumbent will perform the following duties:
Responsibilities
1. PROJECT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT: • Verify documents for overall budgetary accuracy, consistency and uniformity in presentation and ensure comprehensiveness and compliance with formats prescribed; Cross-check consistency of figures in tables with the text of the reports, and verify references to other reports and documents, suggest corrections to be made to the Fund Management Officer and Programme Manager concerned; • Co-ordinate with other finance and programme staff in preparing budgets with respect to project documents; •Liaise with Programme Management Team and UNON to obtain and review banking details forms, F.249 and required supporting information. • Coordinate input of data in the Integrated, Planning, Monitoring and Reporting Tool to facilitate Results Based Management Reporting. 2. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: • Prepare/review funding documents for budget allotments, • Review expenditure reports from executing agencies to ensure: (a) correct expenditure coding block has been charged (b) validity of charges (c) availability of funds; • Prepare fund commitments in Umoja Extension 2, review and process cash advances, UNDP authorizations and fund transfers to EAs, ensuring that the advances are within the approved budget and approved by the Fund Management Officer (FMO); • Initiate processing of cash advances and expenditures through UMOJA and follow up with UNON for remittances of funds and approval of recorded expenditure reports and liquidation of issued advances. • Assist FMO with regular review of UNDP Internal Office Vouchers (IOVs) to ensure that they have been properly recorded; - Review of UNOPS Expenditures and process payments and ensure recording of expenditure. •Notify payees on status of payments and investigate complaints of non-receipt. •Monitor expenditures to ensure they remain within authorized levels; prepares adjustments as necessary • Analyze variances between approved budgets and expenditures and prepare requests for adjustments as necessary; • Reviews requisitions for goods and services to ensure (a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged, and (b) availability of funds. • Monitors integrity of various financial databases. • Assist in preparation of annual project revisions and supporting schedules; • Reconcile project accounts against independent audit certificates received from executing agencies. • Review/prepare project structure and commitments in Umoja; • Conduct project management training on use of various project reporting templates during the inception workshop and at other points when required. 3. PROJECT EVALUATION AND CLOSURE: • Update project database with relevant project information on revision/closure of projects; • Provide financial information required in Project Implementation Review (PIR), Mid-term review/evaluation and Terminal Evaluation; • Assist in the preparation of project completion and closing revision and supporting schedules. •Process disposal of non-expendable equipment in accordance with UNEP procedures before closure of projects. • Prepare request for refund of unspent balances for approval by Fund Management Officer; Track receipt of expected income through Treasury deposit report and ensures credit is posted correctly to the proper Trust Fund. 4. GENERAL • Provide general administrative support to Fund Management Programme Management Officers and other team members; • Drafts or prepares correspondence to respond to enquiries in respect to relevant financial and budget matters •Provide guidance and training to colleagues and supervise other General Service staff as required; • Archive documentation as required, Keep log of archived files and track of archived information. • Track and follow-up on administrative processes in progress; Maintain and keep up-to-date project 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; • Perform any other related duties as may be assigned.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to perform a broad range of administrative functions, e.g., budget/work programme, human resources, database management, etc. Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. 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. 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.
Job - Specific Qualification
Supplementary training in the field of Accounting and Finance or related fields is desirable.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible 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. Experience with Systems Applications and Products in Data Processing (SAP) or similar Enterprise Resource Planning system (ERP) is required. Experience with Global funds such as Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Green Climate Fund (GCF) is desirable. Experience with an international organization 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 position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. NOTE: "fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand), and " Knowledge of" equals a rating of " confident" in two of the four areas.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Appointment against this post is for an initial period of one (1) year and may be subject to extension. Candidate selected will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited ("FTA limited") in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/Al/2013/1 on Administration of fixed-term appointments. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of "internal candidate" in staff rule 4.10, who are selected for a position subject to FTA limited will be reassigned to the position without a lien to their parent position. Renewal of appointment is contingent upon continued existence of mandate and availability of funding. If this position is discontinued, the incumbent will be separated from service. 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. When completing the PHP, 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 on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement 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.
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. 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. 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.
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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.