UNICEF Senior Programme Budget Assistant (GS-7), PD

Purpose of the Position

In a pool of Operations assistants' arrangement, and under the overall direction of the supervisor, performs a variety of Operations specialized tasks in support of the responsibilities of the Programme Support Unit serving two large divisions in headquarters. These include preparation, monitoring, and expenditure of sectional budgets, reviewing and processing contractual obligations (institutional, individual, collaboration agreements) in strict alignment with regulatory frameworks.

MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: - MUST PASS THE UN ASAT (Administrative Support Assessment Test) in ENGLISH (PLEASE MENTION IN YOUR COVER LETTER WHETHER YOU PASSED THIS EXAM) - NON-US CANDIDATES MUST BE IN POSSESSION OF A US G4 VISA OR BE A US PERMANENT RESIDENT

Key Expected Results

1. Provide training and guidance to staff in the elaboration of payment requests, including fund reservations and contractual obligations ensuring compliance with UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations and pertinent Administrative and Accounting Instructions. Review obligations and payment requests' supporting documentation following prescribed procedures ensuring completeness and legitimacy. Forward requests within defined processing times to DFAM for payment or to authorizing instances within the two Divisions. Ensure staff funding are secured in line with the cost distribution for the entire contact period. Follow up with respective sections to correct discrepancies or adjust costs.

End Results: Section's budget focal points receive timely, practical training in the elaboration of funding and payment documents. Compliance with applicable frameworks is always observed.

1. Liaise and co-ordinate with all Sections' staff for proper and smooth processing of financial/accounting and contractual transactions for posting in SAP or prompt authorizing. Ensure all parked documents are posted promptly by DFAM and confirm all suspense entries are cleared and adjusted correctly and that contracts are reviewed and authorized timely and according to standards and regulations. Maintain a record of un-posted transactions by DFAM or about processing contractual obligations to advise requesting sections of potential deviations from standard processing times. Ensure that pre-defined standard processing times for all unit's transactions are maintained. Maintenance of a good and organized filing system necessary for audit purposes.

End Results: Number of correctly processed transactions are above 95%. PSU customers are always informed promptly and accurately of status of their requests.

1. Prepare periodic and, as and when required, management reports (including those required by DFAM and Audit), to provide information on financial transactions and contractual obligations made at summary and detailed levels. Ensure that the year-end closing procedures are understood by support staff and completed on time as per issued instructions, including setting-up of year-end obligations and unspent fund roll-over requests. Follow-up with all sections for timely liquidation of year-end obligations

End Results: Management reports are contain updated and accurate information and are produced timely

1. Keep abreast of relevant Financial, Administrative and Accounting Instructions, Directives, and guidelines for their consistent application in the processing of transactions and for briefing staff on aspects pertaining to the area of accounting and finance and contracting. Contribute to the development of necessary systems and procedures to ensure continuous efficiency in the delivery of services to clients. Maintain an active network with other divisions' operations staff to learn and share good practices to enrich own, unit's, and their performance.

End Results: Efficient and well-informed delivery of services of the unit in the areas of assigned rotation. Provision of the unit's services is always under solid quality standards

1. Provide general support to the Finance & Budget Officer for financial management and oversight of the resources of the two Divisions. Bring to the attention of supervisor need to update/modify work procedures to ensure continuous gains of productivity and customer satisfaction

End Results: PSU provides exellent services to customers in terms of accuracy, timeliness and customer orientation

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

• Completion of secondary education (i.e. High School Diploma) is a minimum requirement. Technical university level courses in business administration, budget management, finance and accounting is highly desirable. Contracts - related training is highly desirable. Training in SAP and IPSAS is an asset.
• Must pass the UN ASAT (Administrative Support Assessment Test) in English (please mention in your cover letter whether you passed this exam)
• Minimum of seven (7) years of work experience in finance and accounting, of which at least the last three years must be devoted to accounts preparation, monitoring and control assignments. General experience and knowledge of contracts management is highly desirable. Experience in training is highly desirable.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) required. Knowledge of another UN language is considered an asset.
• Intermediate knowledge in MS Word & MS PowerPoint and advanced knowledge in MS Excel is required. Basic knowledge of SAP is highly desirable

Competencies of Successful Candidate

• Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking.
• Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.
• Analyzes and integrates potentially conflicting numerical, verbal and other data from a number of sources.
• Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise.
• Sets clearly defined objectives and plans activities for self, own team or department.
• Ensures that team or department follows relevant company policies and procedures.

How to apply:

If you want a challenging career while improving the lives of children around the world UNICEF, the leading children's rights organization, would like to hear from you. Visit us at www.unicef.org/about/employ to register in our new e-Recruitment system and apply to this vacancy,quoting E-VN-2013-000174. Applications must be received by Midnight EST on 11 February 2013.IN ORDER TO MEET THE MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS PARTICULAR POST, A CANDIDATE MUST: - PASS THE UN ASAT (Administrative Support Assessment Test) in ENGLISH (PLEASE MENTION IN YOUR APPLICATION COVER LETTER WHETHER YOU PASSED THIS EXAM) - BE IN POSSESSION OF A US G-4 VISA (FOR NON US RESIDENTS) OR BE A US CITIZEN/PERMANENT RESIDENT IMPORTANT: As part of your applicant online profile on UNICEF's e-Recruitment site, please make sure your select “Release Profile” under Candidate Profile/Overview & Release. Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted. In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities. Well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.