UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organisation dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. This position is advertised open to Group 1, Group 2, if applicable, and external applicants.Duties And Qualifications

Budget Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Budget Associate is responsible for assisting the concerned manager in ensuring that resource allocation decisions are documented and accurately recorded in MSRP, that budget submissions are reviewed and evaluated to support decision-making, and that budget, income and expenditure analysis are regularly performed and cases of significant variances/issues timely reported to management.

The incumbent may directly supervises some support staff. Contacts on administrative/budgetary related issues are mainly with Sections/Units/Offices within the organization both at HQ and in the Field.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Responsibilities

In addition to the responsibilities outlined in the job description, the incumbent for this position will also carry out the following responsibilities under the supervision of the Senior Budget Officer

• Monitor regional budget implementation rates and provide reporting and analysis
• Assist with the alignment of budget entries in the UNHCR financial system with approved budgets
• Assist with alignment of budget entries in the UNHCR financial system and donor contributions
• Liaise with DSPR on budgetary matters
• Budget Tracking- assist with budget compliance in line with OL budget increase requests
• Follow-up on budgetary reallocation processes
• Maintain budgetary resource allocation memos process and tracking database
• Extract financial dashboard reports, sorting of data, and initial analysis
• Help develop and implement a revised approach to training and financial dashboard information
• Monitor Administrative Instructions and follow-up on timelines for required actions
• Assist with scheduling of meetings, training, and follow ups
• Assist in the preparation of the Office’s budgetary and financial reports for external governance and oversight bodies.
• Assist in maintaining in-depth understanding of the (geographical) area of responsibility to facilitate the analysis of budget management and budget submissions.
• Produce budgetary and financial reports and tables in support of internal recurrent processes such as the annual programme review, revenue allocation, mid-year review, year-end accounts closure, finance meetings, and other as well as of ad-hoc reports and queries.
• Under the guidance of the supervisor and in close coordination with the Regional Controller or the Office of the Controller, provide advice regarding the interpretation of policies and procedures and on their practical application.
• Assist in maintaining budgetary systems and participate/provide inputs to gap analysis and to the testing of system upgrades and enhancements.
• Support the planning for financial requirements, assist the Supervisor in providing useful analysis of past year trends and future projections, in relation to the strategic directions and planned activities, reviewing and ensuring the quality, coherence, consistency and completeness of budget submissions for the initial allocation and subsequent reallocations of resources during the programme year, so that the use of available resources is prioritised and optimised.
• Disseminate Budget Committee decisions and ensure timely and accurate implementation of decisions.
• Assist in supporting and monitoring the management of grants from donors, including the appropriate financial reporting considering earmarking limitations.
• Contribute with analysis, documentation, or any other relevant input the preparation of notes and answer to audit queries; ensure the implementation of budget-related audit recommendations.
• Participate in the recruitment of local budget-related personnel.
• Check budget impact of position change requests (creations, discontinuations, upgrades).
• Check funding source of requests for Temporary Assistance (sufficient ABOD or vacant position).
• Provide training and support to colleagues within the office, in other Divisions in HQ and the field on budget and systems issues.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience

• For G6 – 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Certificates and/or Licenses

• Training or certification in accounting*, budgeting, financial procedures or relevant fields.

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

• Work experience in Finance and budget.
• Working knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
• Excellent computer skills ranging from the use of the most advanced functions and features of MS Excel (e.g. pivot tables and V lookups) to the use of corporate ERPs.

Desirable

• Knowledge of UNHCR budgeting methodology and structure.
• Knowledge of MSRP PeopleSoft, its ledgers, modules, and chart fields and Hyperion.
• Knowledge of Focus as a planning, implementation and reporting tool.

Functional Skills

• BU-Budgeting
• BU-UNHCR `s Budgetary Cycles and Procedures
• IT-Computer Literacy*
• UN-UN/UNHCR Administrative Rules, Regulations and Procedures
• UN-UN/UNHCR Financial Rules and Regulations and Procedures
• IT-PeopleSoft EPM/Budget

Language Requirements

• For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
• For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
• For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Please note that interview is mandatory, whereas written test may be conducted, if considered necessary.