Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The overall objective of the Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities (http://www.unep.fr/). The position is located in the Economy Division, Climate and Clean Air Coalition Secretariat (CCAC) under the Energy and Climate Branch, Paris duty station.

Under the direct supervision of the UN Environment, Administrative Officer in the CCAC, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

1. Finance and budget support during Project Design and Development: 
a. Assist prepare supporting documents (narrative and supporting table) with respect to finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements; 
b. Assist in the development of resource requirements for budget and budget performance submissions;
c. Liaise with counterparts to ensure the timely availability of information for the completion of budget: d. Track circulation of new project internalizations and projects revisions through UN Environment clearance and approval process;
e. Assist in the preparation of annual project revision and supporting schedules. 
2. Finance and budget support during Project Implementation: 
a. Prepare funds documents and commitment documents in ERP and review to ensure funds are available and confirm correct budget account/fund/project/cost center used.
b. Assist in the financial administration of trust funds, including generating expenditure reports from the ERP system in use.
c. Assist in the issuance of allotments and related staffing table authorizations.
d. Verify accuracy of input data, ensure consistency of data in previous allotments and new allotments issued.
e. Review cost plans and draft reports, verify accuracy, consistency and uniformity in the presentation, and ensure comprehensiveness and compliance with prescribed formats;
f. Draft letter of acknowledgement of pledges and contributions to donors, cover letters for submissions for funding and reporting to donors.
g. Review expenditure reports from executing agencies and ensure compliance with procedure;
h. Notify payees on status of payments and investigate complaints of non-receipt;
i. Analyse variances between approved budgets and expenditures and prepare adjustments as necessary.
j. Assist in the follow-up on outstanding financial and technical reports with the executing agencies.
3. Finance and budget support during Project Evaluation and Closure:
a. Update project database with relevant project information on revision/closure of project.
b. Assist in provision of financial information required in Project Implementation Review (PIR), Mid-term review/Evaluation and Terminal Evaluation; 
c. Assist in the preparation of project completion and closing revision and supporting schedules;
d. Assist in the processing of disposal of non-expendable equipment;
e. Prepare request for refund of unspent balances;
f. Track receipt of expected income through;
4. General :
a. Provide general administrative support. 
b. Maintain and keep up-to-date project files. 
c. File and archive hard copies documentation and keep log of archived files.
d. Draft/prepare routine correspondence with respect to enquiries related to relevant financial and budget matters.
e. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Competencies

– Professionalism: Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment. Knowledge, skills and ability to extract, interpret, analyze 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. 

– Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

– 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.

Education

Completion of Secondary education/High school diploma or equivalent, is required. Additional technical training in budget, accounts or CPA qualification is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressive work experience in finance, budget, accounting, administrative services or related area is required. Working knowledge of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of the French language is highly desirable. Working knowledge of other official UN language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Appointment against this post is on a local basis. Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. External candidates will only be considered only when no suitable internal candidate from duty station is identified. The candidate is responsible for any travel expenses incurred in taking up the appointment. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.

If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received.. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” link.

United Nations Considerations

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. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

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 internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira 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.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.