Chief - P5, Finance and Budget Unit
This position is located in the Finance and Budget Unit, under the Division for Operations, in Geneva. The incumbent will report to Director, Division for Operations. This post requires qualification of Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA).
Under the supervision of the Director, Division for Operations, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
1. Direct the complete financial function of the Organization, focusing on the achievement of the following results:
- Take the lead in design and implementation of the accounting and financial systems, including regular monitoring and update;
- Direct the development, installation and implementation of new accounting systems and other information technology systems. Evaluate the efficiency, performance and enhancements of these systems;
- Ensure the integration of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) in accordance with the UN policies;
- Advise senior management on finance matters;
- Plan, integrate and monitor the work of the finance staff in each area of the Institute;
- Review accounts regularly for accuracy and completeness. Is responsible for the preparation of the financial statements of the Institute;
- Responsibility for liaison with the Auditors, responses and follow up action on Audit recommendations;
- Manage, plan and co-ordinate the financial running of the UNITAR field offices;
- Provide authoritative advice, financial interpretations and supervision to ensure adherence to UN financial regulations and rules;
- Manage staff, plan and allocate work, monitor and evaluate performance;
- Produce management accounts as tools for monitoring performance and offer constructive advice to senior management;
- Prepare budget and present budget and financial statements to the UNITAR Board of Trustees and defend and explain all relevant issues;
- Other duties as required by the Head of Operations and nature of the job.
In order to:
- Ensure that all financial functions of the Institute are executed and implemented in accordance with the UN Financial Regulations and Rules.
- Ensure that the Institute benefits from authoritative advice and interpretation of financial regulations and rules to facilitate programme implementation.
- Ensure that senior management receives timely financial advice and financial reports for decision making.
2. Perform all budgetary functions for the successful implementation of the UNITAR Programmes in the following areas:
- Plan, co-ordinate and monitor the budget of the Institute by liaising with Programme Managers and reporting periodically to Senior Management;
- Present the budget to the ACABQ and defend and explain the issues;
- Ensure continuous monitoring of cost plans and budget proposals to donors, and provide support and advice to senior management in this area.
In order to:
- Ensure the coordination and timely preparation of the biennium budget for the Institute.
- Ensure a transparent budgetary process and present the Budget document to the Board of Trustees and ACABQ and defend budget document.
- Ensure periodic monitoring of actual expenditures against the budget and report variances for appropriate action.
- Professionalism - Expert knowledge in the field of Accountancy, Budget and Finance including IPSAS; proven ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues; ability to review and edit the work of others, ability to manage a Finance programme in a field operation or to formulate new strategies and approaches to financial issues and related issues.
- Planning & Organizing - Proven ability to plan and organize work, requiring an in-depth understanding of its strategic direction and ability to integrate the work of the section into the Departments work programme.
- Communications - Excellent drafting ability and communication skills, both oral and written; ability to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to key decisions and positions to staff, senior officials and members of intergovernmental bodies; proven ability to communicate complex concepts orally; ability to write reports that are clear, concise and meaningful.
- Teamwork - Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Ability to lead and gain assistance of others in a team endeavor.
- Client orientation - Ability to identify clients’ needs and propose appropriate solutions as well as establish and maintain effective relationships without posted collaborators and other contacts.
- Leadership - Strong managerial /leadership skills; demonstrated flexibility in leadership by performing and/or overseeing complex financial or administrative management policy and programme issues; proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling environment, including the ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff.
- Managing performance - ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor work of others; delegate appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority.
Education: Advanced university degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting or directly related fields; certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA).
Experience: At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in financial, accounting and budgeting systems. Demonstrated management and leadership ability. Work experience in varied assignments in the Organization.
Language: Fluency in English; knowledge of French language is an advantage.
Other skills: Extensive relevant experience in financial management at the International level. Experience in UN financial environment as well as very good knowledge of Atlas.
The evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise in combination with an interview.
UNITAR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Qualified women, individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
English and French are the two working languages of UNITAR. Priority will be given to the applicants from the under-represented regions at UNITAR. There will be a probation period of 3 months.
UNITAR staff members are subject to the authority of the UNITAR Executive Director and their appointments are limited to service with the Institute.
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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. UNITAR is a non-smoking environment.
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 Staff Regulations and Rules and UNITAR administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications 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.
UNITAR DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). UNITAR DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
Please submit your application along with a motive letter as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.
Due to high number of expected applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.