The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the UN 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. The Urban Economy Branch of UN-Habitat has the mandate to promote local capabilities of local governments to develop financial instruments to keep pace with the demands of rapid urbanization. The Urban Economy Branch has the mandate to promote plans and provide support for more efficient, socially inclusive, better integrated and connected cities that foster sustainable urban development.
Budget Assistant
Requirements
- Assists in the preparation of supporting documents (narrative and supporting tables) with respect to finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements.
- Supports the Finance & Budget Officer in extracting information and generating expenditure reports from computerized information system databases; assists in preliminary analyses of the extracted information and the reports generated, and highlights areas of concern for the attention of the Finance & Budget Officer.
- Assists in the development of resource requirements for budget submissions and in the preparation of budget performance submissions.
- Researches/compiles data and other information required by the Finance & Budget Officer in the review and analysis of relevant proposals.
- Consolidates data and provides support to Finance & Budget Officer with respect to budget reviews of relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies.
- Assists the Finance & Budget Officer in the preparation/finalization of finance and budget performance reports, performing preliminary analysis of variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
- Prepares fund commitments and pass-thru grants in Umoja and reviews them to ensure that funds are available and the correct account has been used.
- Assists in drafting the initial versions of the Financial Reports for submission to Donors and legislative bodies.
- Assists the Finance & Budget Officer with tabulation and data input for project documents.
- Assists in the financial backstopping of trust funds, including monitoring the status of voluntary contributions, generating expenditure reports from Umoja and monitoring reporting requirements by donors.
- Assists the Finance & Budget Officer in the issuance of allotments and related staffing table authorizations.
- Verifies accuracy of input data, ensuring consistency of data in previous allotments to new allotments issued.
- Reviews draft reports, verifying overall accuracy, consistency and uniformity in the presentation, and ensuring comprehensiveness and compliance with the prescribed formats; cross-checks consistency of figures in tables with the text of the reports, and verifies references to other reports and documents, bringing errors to the attention of the Finance & Budget Officer concerned; ensures that all necessary corrections are incorporated in the reports; co-ordinates with other finance and budget staff on related issues during preparation of budget reports.
- Verifies and prepares payments to third parties, commercial entities, and Partners as well as assists in the processing of payments to Governments and vendors for good and services. This includes calculating, inputting, and checking payments for correctness and communicating discrepancies to supervisors.
- Records and reconciles more complex accounting transactions.
- Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme budgets, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures.
- Drafts routine correspondence with respect to inquiries related to relevant financial and budget matters.
Maintains and keep up-to-date files. - Provides administrative support to the Chief of the Programme Support Unit and/or Finance & Budget Officer.
- Responds to queries from staff members and third parties.
- Performs other related duties, as assigned.
Qualifications
- Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment; Ability to maintain accurate records, review and interpret financial and accounting data; Ability to identify and resolve finance and accounting discrepancies and operational problems; Shows pride in work and in achievements;
- Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of finance and accounting; 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.
- 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.
- 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 audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
- High school diploma or equivalent is required. Finance or accounting qualification, advanced Excel User skills and Certification in Public Accounting or Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is desirable. MUST have passed the United Nations Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) or the Global General Service Test (GGST) at Headquarters or an equivalent locally-administered test at Offices away from Headquarters.
Work Experience - A minimum of five (5) years of progressive responsible experience in Finance, Budget, accounting and related area is required. Working experience with the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and finance system and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) is desirable. Experience in the United Nations is an asset.
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage
More Information
- Job City Nairobi
