United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Is Hiring An Associate Finance and Budget Officer

• Job TypeFull Time
• QualificationBA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
• Experience2 years
• LocationNairobi
• Job FieldFinance / Accounting / Audit 

Responsibilities

• Within assigned authority, the incumbent will be responsible for providing assistance with the monitoring, coordination, and timely implementation of all ROEA financial related functions in conformity with United Nations (UN) Financial Rules and Regulations and UNODC established policy and procedures.

The Associate Finance and Budget Officer will be responsible for the following specific duties:

• Assist in assessing and improving existing operating policies and procedures in the area of financial resources management at ROEA, ensuring compliance with relevant UN Financial rules and regulations, UNODC internal polices and guidelines, donor requirements, etc., safeguards of assets, and accurate financial reporting in accordance with IPSAS.
• Assist with substantive support to headquarters (HQ) in developing and implementing new accounting systems/standards/policies.
• Provide support in monitoring, reconciling and clearing ROEA’s vendor accounts on an ongoing basis and perform periodic direct Accounts Payable (AP) confirmation/reconciliation with major vendors (e. g. ticket agent) ensuring proper vendor relations and retention of audit trail; follow up on outstanding open items (payables, advances, and other recoveries) ensuring timely settlement.
• Certify that proposed obligations or expenditure for services, facilities’ supplies, equipment, and personnel related, are in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the UN, donor requirements if applicable, and corresponding approved allotments.
• Assist in reporting to HQ on year-end closing-related requirements in accordance with relevant closing guidelines and communications, ensuring provision of timely and accurate information.
• Monitor and advise ROEA Programme Officers/Coordinators on the financial status of Project/Programme (including status of budgets and related contributions, commitments, receivables/payables items, paymaster advances, travel advances/expense reports, and UNDP financial authorization and eIOVs; and other Umoja related troubleshooting).
• Manage timely and accurate registration of banking details for vendors and third parties; vendor invoices with adequate supporting documentation; and other payment items.
• Collaborate with other UN entities and ROEA Programme Offices on finance related matters, including status of service provision, settlement of invoices, billings for service costs, and balance reconciliations. Coordinate the timely reconciliation of UNDP eIOVs in the relevant application upon HQ’s notification; take appropriate follow up actions with UNDP as required.
• Monitor the status of travel requests, travel advances and expense reports on an ongoing basis, ensuring timely submission and closure of all travel related items in accordance with established rules and regulations.
• Review all documentation relating to paymaster advances ensuring adequate and complete documentation with signatory and IDs in place and timely closure of the advance in accordance with the established guidelines.
• Provide work coordination, guidance, monitoring and training, to relevant ROEA staff on financial policies and procedures, particularly in the area of payments.
• Contribute to the ongoing assessment of payment processes and controls. Identify bottlenecks, liaise with management, relevant HQ divisions/sections, and service providers for solutions. Draft payment related correspondence and internal procedural directives.
• Review information and reports (such as status of open commitments and expired grants) provided by HQ as well as information in the SAP system (Umoja) and take appropriate follow up actions by coordinating with all relevant stake holders to ensure data integrity.
• Contribute to the preparation, consolidation and monitoring of ROEA’s overall budgets, including providing assistance to programme/project managers on their specific budgets.
• Contribute to the preparation and submission of financial reports (semi-annual and annual project progress reports, and ad hoc reports to donors, etc.).
• Assist in responding to internal/external audit information requests /queries/observations and follow up on/implement audit recommendations.
• Assist in monitoring activities relating to overseeing the budgeting, recording, reporting, and compliance monitoring of EU funding arrangements.
• Undertake finance support missions to UNODC Programme Offices, as required.
• Contribute 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.
• Perform any other work-related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Has ability to identify and resolve budgetary problems and identify sources for data collection. Demonstrates a good knowledge of internal control principles and mastery of financial principles and practices. Has ability to apply rules and regulations in work situations. Has conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. Has ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Has ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. 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.
• 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.  
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in accounting, business administration, finance or related field. A first-level university degree in accounting, business administration, finance or related field, in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A first-level university degree and no experience will be accepted for candidates who have passed the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P).

Work Experience

• A minimum of two years of progressively responsible professional experience in accounting or auditing with proven experience on process reviews and improvements for finance operations and drafting policy papers OR the successful completion of the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P), is required. Experience with International Public Section Accounting Standard (IPSAS) is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Work experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, e. g. SAP/Umoja is desirable.

Method of Application

Interested and qualified? Go to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on careers.un.org to apply.