Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the UN Headquarters in Africa and the representative office of the Secretary-General. We support programme implementation of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) globally, as well as other UN offices in Kenya, by providing administrative, conference and information services. (www.unon.org). This post is located in Budget and Financial Management Service (BFMS), Division of Administrative Services (DAS), at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON). Under the overall supervision of the Chief, Budget Section and the direct supervision of the Deputy Chief, Budget Section, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Responsibilities

1. Budget Formulation & Negotiation: Coordinates, formulates, analyzes and finalizes cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements, in accordance with the medium-term plan; Reviews, analyzes and finalizes budget/financial implications in light of recommendations and decisions made within the Local Governance Structures for Common Services, Commercial Operations and Charge-Back arrangements; Establishes, reviews and updates cost-sharing arrangements based on decisions made within local Governance framework.
2. Budget Implementation: Prepares allocations and allotments for the approval of the Chief and Deputy Chief of Budget Section under the delegated authority of the Director, Division of Administrative Services; Manages and monitors budget implementation and recommends reallocation and/or redeployment of funds as necessary due to operational requirements; Monitors expenditures and ensures that they remain within authorized levels, including analysis of funds’ utilization and provision of advise to all concerned; Reviews arrangements and cost plans ensuring compliance with UN regulations and rules as well as established policies and procedures established within the local Governance structures.
3. Performance Reporting: Prepares, review and finalizes budget performance reports, including analysis and provision of justification for variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures; Provision of periodic reports to UNON Management and clients for the locally cost-shared arrangements as appropriate.
4. General: Implements efficiency measures: Initiates and undertakes reviews of existing administrative and budgetary procedures to ensure efficiency of budgetary controls; Evaluates the adequacy and effectiveness or related procedures and formulates proposals of corrective actions as necessary; Provides advice, guidance and training on result-based budgeting and financial policies and procedures as required; Undertakes and participates in special assignments or technical surveys relating to local cost-sharing and change-back arrangements, including preparation of reports and policy papers on matters relating to resource requirements, programming and budgetary issues; Analyses and interprets performance data and make recommendations; Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief, Budget Section.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of administrative, budgetary and financial policies and procedures; Ability to apply various United Nations administrative rules and regulations to work situations; Conceptional, analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis; Ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, formulate options and 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. 
• 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 accomplishment 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 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 as 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

A first-level university degree in business administration, finance, accounting or related field. A master’s degree in one of these areas would be an asset.

Work Experience

A minimum of four years of progressively relevant professional experience in case of a Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of two years of progressively relevant professional experience in the case of a Master’s Degree in the areas of finance, accounting and/or budget is required. Practical experience in the use of Umoja/SAP (UN ERP System) especially in the Financial Management, Controlling, Organisational Management, Financial Accounting and Service Delivery modules is an asset. Strong quantitative and qualitative research, analytical and writing skills are desirable. Experience with management reporting, client reporting and preparation of reports using Business Intelligence is an advantage. Supervisory experience is required. Practical experience with the administration of common services and cost recovery within a large organizational set-up would be an advantage. Knowledge of local market conditions and pricing structures is required. Experience with the implementation of IPSAS is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Working knowledge of a second UN official languages is an asset. For this position fluency in Kiswahili is also required.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. 2. If you do not receive an email acknowledgment within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” link.

Recruitment for this post is exclusively local and is open to citizens of Kenya only.

Appointment against this post is on a local basis, with no entitlement to travel or any other international benefits. As such, the same staff regulations and rules which apply to other locally-recruited staff will be applicable to this national officer post. Should there be a need for examination the candidate will be responsible for any travel expenses incurred.

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, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. 

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 At-a-Glance on “The Application Process” and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The screening and 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, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: 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 a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (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.