Organization: UNEP – United Nations Environment Programme
Location: Nairobi
Grade: Administrative support – GS-7, General Service – No need for Higher Education – Locally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
Operations and Administrations
Administrative support
Banking and Finance
Closing Date: 2024-10-09
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 Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This post is located in the Ecosystems Division, Programme of Work Finance Unit. Under the supervision of the Chief of Unit, the incumbent will perform the following functions:
Responsibilities
1. Providing a full range of project financial management and implementation assistance at all phases of programme/project cycle by: • Assisting out-posted Administrative and Fund Management officers (AFMOs) in the preparation of new project documents as well as revision and closure of projects. • Assisting in the preparation of the UNEP Executive Director’s report to the Conference of Parties, including project revisions and project closures. • Providing support to the relevant out-posted offices and Regional Seas Commissions in obtaining approval from the Corporate Services Division (CSD)/Finance. • Reviewing and facilitating the issuance of sub-allotments, cash advances and payments. • Carrying out analysis and evaluation of on-going and completed projects in consultation with the out posted AFMOs. • Liaising with the contributions unit to monitor receipt of contributions for relevant projects. • Supporting project managers in developing resource requirements for budget submissions. • Ensuring that the Division is not accumulating a backlog of projects due for closure. 2. Reviewing, analyzing, and assisting in the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, focusing on both staff and non-staff requirements.: • Administering resources and monitoring budget implementation, recommending reallocation of funds. • Reviewing, analyzing and processing expenditure reports from external partners. • Recording expenditure adjustments. • Identifying and resolving issues as they arise by recommending appropriate actions, and assisting out-posted Fund Management Officers in following up on transactions recorded by the Accounts Section. • Assisting the Head of the Fund Management Unit in the periodical assessment of the Division exposure to financial risk. • Issuing obligation documents, monitoring the status of outstanding obligations through periodic reviews, and advising the relevant fund management sub-unit on matters related to their constituency. • Initiating periodic reviews of outstanding receivable documents and advising the relevant fund management sub-unit on issues pertaining to their constituency. • Assisting in the preparation of budget performance submissions, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. • Participating in the year end accounts closure. • Attending to Corporate Auditing requests. • Preparing financial statements for projects to donors when requested. 3. Drafting or preparing correspondence through: • Maintaining records related to project management and budgetary matters. • Identifying procedures and guidelines to improve the administrative flow. • Providing guidance, training and daily supervision to other general service staff within the unit in their areas of responsibility. • Keeping up to date on documents/reports/guidelines. 4. Data related work: • 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. 5. Performing other related duties as required.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the work environment. Knowledge of, skills and ability to extract, interpret, analyze and format data across the full range of finance and budget functions, including programme development and database management, claims and treasury operations. 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. CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
Education
High school diploma or equivalent is required.
Job – Specific Qualification
Supplementary technical training in the field of accounting, finance and business administration is desirable.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten (10) years of work 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. Work experience interpreting and applying administrative and financial policies is desirable Experience working with an Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP) such as SAP is desirable. Work experience within the United Nations common system or similar 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 post 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. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. 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 and geographical diversity 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.