FINANCE AND BUDGET OFFICER (TJO)

This post is located in the Finance and Budget Section (FBS), in the Programme Support and Management Services (PSMS), at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva. The incumbent will operate under the overall guidance of the Chief of Finance and Budget Section and the direct supervision of the relevant Cluster/Unit within the section.

Within delegated authority, the Finance & Budget Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Act as the local expert on Umoja/Integrated Planning, Monitoring and Reporting (IPMR) system processes for OHCHR and coordinate related implementation activities, including process re-engineering, training, workflow management, and process testing, both at Headquarters and in the field.
• Establish, manage and resolve Umoja/IPMR solution risks and issues, and develops suggestions for their mitigation plans. Ensures timely identification, resolution, and appropriate escalation of issues to the appropriate authorities
• Perform change management activities by taking into account the impact of change of “as-is” and “to-be” processes (e.g. delegation of authority, divisional responsibility, roles and skills capacity).
• Budget preparation: Reviews and analyses data with respect to the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements from Departments/offices at Headquarters and in the field, including programmatic aspectsProvides support to managers with respect to the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions.
• Ensures review and oversight of programmes and projects, including providing advice to programme-project managers at HQ and in the field on project development, budget planning, monitoring and reporting
• Provides technical support to Divisions, Sections and/or field presences in their budget review; assists in securing approval from the relevant internal body.
• Budget administration: Monitors and controls regular budget and extrabudgetary allotments, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures.
• Monitors budget implementation and determines/recommends reallocation of funds when necessary.
• Monitors expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels.
• Guides user groups in the areas of project budget planning and logical framework elements, taking into consideration end-to-end processes and the overall Umoja solution.
• Reviews all requisitions for goods and services to ensure correct objects of expenditure have been charged, ensuring availability of funds.
• Administers and monitors extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures.
• Prepares relevant documentation with respect to budget performance submissions.
• Prepares and reviews financial performance reports, analysing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures, and ensuring full compliance with donor agreements, reporting templates, financial rules and regulations and programmatic requirements.
• Provides technical support to OHCHR legislative bodies and prepares responses to audit queries and recommendations, as required.
• General: Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme and/or peacekeeping budgets, ensuring compliance with United Nations policies and procedures;
• Monitors and supervises the work of subordinate staff as required;
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

• PROFESSIONALISM : Knowledge of financial principles and practices. Ability to independently conduct research and analysis, formulate options and present conclusions and recommendations. 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
• 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.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in finance, administration, budget, business administration or related area is required. Experience in finance management and budget formulation in the public sector, some of which at the international level is required. Experience in programme and project management processes, including experience in multi-stakeholder initiatives and results-based management is required. 2 years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Experience in funds management and financial processes using an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and an Integrated Planning, Management and Reporting (IPMR) system is desirable. Experience in preparing complex financial reports to institutional donors such as the European Union is desirable. Experience in conducting instructor-led training is desirable. Experience within the United Nations system or similar international organization is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required.

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