Organization: UNHABITAT – United Nations Human Settlements Programme
Location: Nairobi
Grade: Junior level – P-2, International Professional – Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
Operations and Administrations
Administrative support
Banking and Finance
Closing Date:
Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat’s Division of External Relations, Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation Division (ERSKI) is responsible for strategic planning, programmatic direction and operationalization of UN-Habitat’s focal point role for the New Urban Agenda in the UN system. This position is located in the front office of the Director of External Relations, Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation Division (ERSKI) . The front office of the Director supports the Director of Division who is responsible for overall management and coordinated implementation of programmes and projects in the ERSKI division. The Director is also plays a corporate representation role by representing the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director at strategic and political meetings on substantive related matters; provide direction and sound and innovative advice on a wide range of issues, including developing strategies for issues on a long-term and large-scale basis to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of results that ensure the best interests of the organization, and/or client; coordinate and monitor the implementation of the World Urban Forum Programme and other strategic partnership initiatives. The incumbent is to work with and report to the Programme Management Officer – Finance of the Division, and work in close collaboration with Director ERSKID Within delegated authority the Associate Finance and Budget Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
Responsibilities
Budget preparation: • Reviews, analyses, and assists in the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements of ERSKI’s core budgets and those of its programmes and budgets and ensures they are in-line with the Strategic Plan, UN-Habitat’s Work Programme and budget and other legislative mandates. • Reviews and analyses programme budget/financial implications to the work and activities of ERSKI in light of additional mandates from various intergovernmental bodies such as the Executive Board • Assists managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions. • Provides support to the Director and PMO finance in the relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies that requires budget reviews and reporting. Budget administration: • Works in collaboration with budget and finance focal points and substantive officers as necessary to prepares allotments, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures. • Monitors budget implementation and recommends reallocation of funds as necessary, including certifications of expenditures for projects and budgets assigned. • Monitors expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels. • Reviews requisitions generated by the administration teams for goods and services to ensure (a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged, and (b)availability of funds (c) compliance with regulations and rules and established polices and procedures • Administers and monitors extra-budgetary resources, to ensure there is compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures. • Reviews and assists in finalization of budget performance reports, analysing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. • Works in collaboration with budget and finance focal points and substantive officers to ensure grants are opened and closed in UMOJA in a timely manner. • Prepares donor financial reports as and when required General: • Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to ERSKI while ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures; • Contributes to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provides draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Prepares ad hoc reports as required • Performs other related duties, as assigned by supervisor.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to identify and resolve budgetary problems and identify sources for data collection. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. 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.
Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s, or equivalent) in business administration, finance, economics or related field is required. A first level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two (2) additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.
Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of two (2) years of progressive responsible experience in finance, administration, budget, business administration or related area is required Experience in data analytics and/or experience in ERP systems and/or experience with BI or other data bases, experience working on complex projects with multi-donors or with different offices, and/or experience within the UN system in budget and finance is desirable. At least one (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Working experience International Public Section Accounting Standard (IPSAS) is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is also 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 and a competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This is a project post. Appointment against this post is for 364 days. A limited duration and does not carry any expectancy, legal or otherwise, of renewal. 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. 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. Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. Internal Applicants – 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. 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 email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” 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.