Budget Assistant,
Beirut, Lebanon
(G-6)
Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
Closing date: Friday, 30 June 2017
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Responsibilities
The Budget Assistant will be responsible for carrying out the following:
1 - Provides support with respect to the review, analyses and preparation of the medium-term plan and its revisions;
2 - Prepares supporting documents (narrative and supporting tables) with respect to finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements;
3 - Assists managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions;
4 - Undertakes research and provides support to higher level Finance and Budget Officers with respect to budget reviews of relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies;
5 - Monitors expenditures and compares with approved budget; prepares adjustments as necessary;
6 - Reviews requisitions for goods and services to ensure (a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged, and (b) availability of funds;
7 - Assists in preparation of budget performance submissions and finalization of budget performance reports, analysing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures;
8 - Monitors integrity of various financial databases;
9 - Verifies accuracy of input data, ensuring consistency of data in previous allotments to new allotments issued;
10 - Co-ordinates with other finance and budget staff on related issues during preparation of budget reports;
11 - Periodic reconciliation of accounts in Umoja;
12 - Prepare request to Controller’s Office on redeployment of funds and to Finance section on movement of funds;
13 - Take action in putting exchange rates in Umoja;
14 - Record in Umoja direct disbursement and miscellaneous document;
15 - Review data on monthly staffing complement;
16 - Process fund distribution received from HQ and input allotment advice in Umoja.
General:
17 - Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures;
18 - Drafts or prepares correspondence to respond to enquiries in respect to relevant financial and budget matters;
19 - Maintain and keep up-to-date files;
20 - May be responsible for providing guidance, training and daily supervision to other general service staff in the area of responsibility;
21 - Performs other related duties, as assigned.
Competencies1 - Provides support with respect to the review, analyses and preparation of the medium-term plan and its revisions;
2 - Prepares supporting documents (narrative and supporting tables) with respect to finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements;
3 - Assists managers in the elaboration of resource requirements for budget submissions;
4 - Undertakes research and provides support to higher level Finance and Budget Officers with respect to budget reviews of relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies;
5 - Monitors expenditures and compares with approved budget; prepares adjustments as necessary;
6 - Reviews requisitions for goods and services to ensure (a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged, and (b) availability of funds;
7 - Assists in preparation of budget performance submissions and finalization of budget performance reports, analysing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures;
8 - Monitors integrity of various financial databases;
9 - Verifies accuracy of input data, ensuring consistency of data in previous allotments to new allotments issued;
10 - Co-ordinates with other finance and budget staff on related issues during preparation of budget reports;
11 - Periodic reconciliation of accounts in Umoja;
12 - Prepare request to Controller’s Office on redeployment of funds and to Finance section on movement of funds;
13 - Take action in putting exchange rates in Umoja;
14 - Record in Umoja direct disbursement and miscellaneous document;
15 - Review data on monthly staffing complement;
16 - Process fund distribution received from HQ and input allotment advice in Umoja.
General:
17 - Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures;
18 - Drafts or prepares correspondence to respond to enquiries in respect to relevant financial and budget matters;
19 - Maintain and keep up-to-date files;
20 - May be responsible for providing guidance, training and daily supervision to other general service staff in the area of responsibility;
21 - Performs other related duties, as assigned.
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. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
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.
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.
EducationPlanning 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.
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.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in finance, budget, accounting, administrative services or related area is required. Knowledge of IPSAS and proficiency with ERP systems, preferably SAP, is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Arabic is also a working language of ESCWA. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English and Arabic is required.