Jobs – Chief of Section, Budget and Finance Officer at United Nations RSCE

Job Title: Chief of Section, Budget and Finance Officer, P5  

The Regional Service Centre Steering Committee is the decision-making body for RSCE, in compliance with General Assembly resolutions, United Nations Secretariat rules and regulations, strategic guidance from United Nations Headquarters and oversight bodies. The Steering Committee consults with the Global Field Support Strategy Implementation Coordination Team, as required.

The Regional Service Centre, as approved by the Member States, is owned, managed and staffed by the regional missions it serves. This framework reinforces the existing missions’ chain of command structures and lines of authority in a manner that does not create an additional layer between Headquarters and the regional missions. It also ensures that staffing for RSCE will be achieved through the redeployment of resources from the regional missions it serves.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: Within delegated authority, and relying on service providers as applicable, the Chief of Section , Budget and Finance will be responsible for the following duties:

• Serve as the principal advisor to the Head of Mission Support, other senior leadership of the Mission, and programme managers in supporting cost-effective budgetary and resource management, including planning, analysis and control of expenditure.
• Make sure that the financial administration of the mission, including the application of and authoritative advice with regard to the UN’s Financial Regulations and Rules, as well as corrective action in response to audits and other inquiries as needed.
• Steer the mission’s annual budget development programme, providing leadership and coordination with respect to the establishment of major resourcing priorities, preparation of comprehensive budget submissions, application of results-based budgeting principles, analysis of the costs and benefits of major new proposals, and coordination of performance reports.
• Prepare input as required to the UN’s legislative processes for consideration of mission financing requirements, especially the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) and the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly.
• Actively support programme and resource managers throughout the mission, and those acting on behalf of the mission at UNHQ, in the monitoring of budgetary execution and financial performance to identify issues, priorities and exceptions warranting further action, as well as in participating in projects to enhance the cost-effectiveness of mission activities.
• Ensure that accurate and complete accounting, reporting and internal control systems are functioning and that all relevant records are maintained in accordance with UN Financial Regulations and Rules and proper management of mission resources.
• Compile and prepare financial reports on a timely and responsive basis to meet the needs of management within the mission and relevant external stakeholders, including preparation and certification of periodical and year-end accounts in accordance with requirements of the UN Controller and UN Financial Rules and Regulations.
• Manage the timely and robust financial operations in accordance with UN Financial Regulations and Rules and the needs of the mission, including payments to vendors and staff and liaison with banking institutions.
• Develop and/or apply effective and efficient financial systems and processes that meet the requirements of dynamic field operations, while ensuring full compliance with the UN Financial Regulations and Rules.
• Work closely with and monitor relevant financial service providers, including designated service centres for field operations, in retaining responsibility and accountability for financial services and stewardship for the mission.
• Manage the staff of the Budget and Finance unit in prioritising, planning and assigning responsibilities, developing and maintaining needed expertise and knowledge, and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Act as a Certifying Officer under Financial Rule 110.4 to ensure that proposed financial obligations and expenditure are in accordance with approved funding allotments and the UN Regulations and Rules.
• Represent the mission in cross-UN projects and initiatives to improve resource management and financial operations in field operations, including benchmarking studies, capacity building programmes, and implementation of IPSAS and the Umoja ERP.
• Act as required as a member of formal oversight and decision making bodies established in the mission, including the Local Committee on Contracts and Local Property Survey Board.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The candidate should hold an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, accounting, finance, or related field. A first-level university degree or a relevant professional qualification, in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant experience in financial management, accounting or other related field, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Professional recognition as a CPA, chartered accountant or by a similar professional body is highly desirable.
• Ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in cost management and budget formulation, cost control and monitoring, accounting and financial reporting, or analysis and interpretation of financial results is required.
• Significant experience in managing change initiatives and the formulation of new strategies/approaches to financial management or accounting issues is highly desirable. Experience in supporting international operations involving military/security, logistics, infrastructure development, or a similar undertaking is highly desirable.

Languages: Fluency in spoken and written English is required.

Personal Competencies:

Professionalism: Demonstrated expertise in applying contemporary principles and practices to financial management and resource planning, accounting and financial reporting, and financial operations, in a complex organisational setting; ability to develop and implement new policies, procedures and other improvement initiatives to promote cost-effective resource management and strengthen financial stewardship and control; extensive experience in preparing and/or interpreting financial information in an IPSAS-compliant or similar accounting environment; proven capacity to provide valued input to a strategic organisational planning and/or oversight framework; demonstrated success in addressing challenging scenarios and problems from a strategic perspective and with effective solutions; significant experience in defining operational and organizational objectives in a results-based resourcing framework; capacity to provide strategic support to senior leadership; demonstrated commitment to incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication: Superior capacity to speak and write with influence in communicating with senior leadership and peers throughout the mission and at UNHQ; demonstrated experience in conveying technical financial issues to non-practitioners, adapting language, tone, style and format to the audience; listens to others, correctly interpreting messages and responding appropriately; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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.

Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

How to Apply for the job:

All suitably qualified and interested candidates for the aforementioned United Nations Regional Service Centre Entebbe RSCE Vacancy should Apply Online by Clicking the link below.

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Deadline: 5^th September, 2014