Title : Budget and Finance Assistant, Nairobi

Department/ Office
United Nations Environment Programme
Duty Station
NAIROBI
Posting Period
14 August 2013-13 September 2013
Job Opening number
13-FIN-UNEP-29515-R-NAIROBI (X)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organizational Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations systems designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP's Division of Environmental Policy Implementation (DEPI) 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 Division of Environmental Policy Implementation, UNEP/DEPI at the Nairobi duty station. Under the overall supervision of the Chief, Finance Management Unit, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:
Responsibilities
1. Budget: Provides support with respect to the review, analyses and preparation of the medium-term plan and its revisions; Prepares supporting documents (narrative and supporting tables); Assists managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions; Undertakes research and provides support to higher level Finance and Budget Officers with respect to budget reviews of relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies; Monitors expenditures and compares with approved budget; prepares adjustments; Reviews requisitions for goods and services to ensure
(a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged, and
(b) availability of funds; Assists in preparation of budget performance submissions and finalization of budget performance reports; Monitors integrity of various financial databases; Verifies accuracy of input data.
2. Treasury: Reviews incoming payment instructions with regard to banking details and sources of funds. Prepares payments for final disbursement by Cashier; Notifies payees of status of payments; Assists staff members, Fund Management Officers and donors regarding queries on payment and deposit-related issues; Files and archives as required.
3. General: Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme; Maintain and keep up-to-date files; May be responsible for providing guidance, training and daily supervision to other general service staff in the area of responsibility. 4. Performs other related duties, as assigned.
Competencies
Professionalism:

• Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment.
• Knowledge, skills and ability to extract, interpret, analyse and format data across the full range of finance and budget functions, including programme development and database management, claims and treasury operations.
• Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies and operational problems; 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.

Communication:

• 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;
• demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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 and 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

• Completion of secondary school is required. Additional technical qualifications, CPA or equivalent are desired.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, administrative services or related area.

Languages

• 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.

Assessment Method

• Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice
Appointment against this post is on a local basis. External candidates will be considered only when no suitable internal candidate from the duty station is identified. The candidate is responsible for any travel expenses incurred and visa or work permit issues in order to take-up the appointment. 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.
1. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an e-mail address has been provided.
2. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgment 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
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, TRAINING OR ANY OTHER FEES). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS.