Finance and Budget Officer Vacancy-Job Ref: WJCAUNEP/2107/2025822

Finance and Budget Officer Vacancy-Job Ref: WJCAUNEP/2107/2025822

Montreal (Canada)

Job Description

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 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. At the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, world leaders agreed on a comprehensive strategy for sustainable development.

A key agreement opened for signature at Rio was the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Convention has three objectives: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is located in Montreal, Canada and is administered by UNEP. This post is in the Secretariat of the CBD, within the Administration Division. Under the direct guidance of the Head of the Administration Division, the incumbent will carry out the following functions:

Responsibilities
A. Medium-term plan: a) Reviews, analyses and finalizes the preparation of the medium-term plan and its revisions on the basis of departmental submissions, taking into account recommendations and decisions of specialized intergovernmental bodies. b) Provides substantive support to relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies in their review of the medium-term plan and its revisions; secures approval from the General Assembly. c) Ensures legislative mandates are accurately translated into program budgets. B. Budget preparation:

a) Reviews, analyses and finalizes cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements from Divisions at the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD); ensures compliance with the medium-term plan and other legislative mandates. b) Provides detailed input with respect to resource requirements for budget submissions. c) Reviews, analyzes and finalizes program budget/financial implications to the Conference of the Parties. d) Provides substantive support to relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies in their budget review; e) Assists in securing approval from the Conference of the Parties.

C. Budget administration: a) Issues allotments, authorizes sub-allotments, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures. b) Manages and monitors budget implementation and recommends reallocation of funds as necessary. c) Monitors expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels. d) Administers and monitors extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures. e) Authorizes payment to Governments for settlement of certified death and disability, contingent-owned equipment and letters-of-assist claims; determine average monthly troop strengths, establishing amounts reimbursable and initiating payments for reimbursement to troop-contributing countries.

f) Prepares budget performance submissions. g) Reviews and finalizes budget performance reports, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures. h) Provides substantive support to relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies. D. General: a) Provides advice and guidance, including training, to headquarters and field staff on budgetary and financial policies and procedures, including results-based budgeting. b) Participates in inter-departmental meetings and/or technical survey missions on matters related to resource requirements, programming and budgetary issues. c) Keeps up to date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to program budgets, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures. d) Drafts reports for intergovernmental bodies and for management on budgetary issues, and correspondence.

e) Undertakes research and analysis of budgetary policies and procedures, makes recommendations for changes and/or modifications. f) Acts as Certifying Officer under Financial Rule 110.4 to ensure that proposed obligations and expenditures are in accordance with approved budgets and established regulations and rules. g) Ensures the integrity of financial and management systems and the controls that underpin them. h) Provides support with respect to representation of the Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity in meetings of legislative organs. i.) Represents Financial Resources Management Service in inter and intra-departmental meetings. j) May plan, organize, manage and supervise the work of the Unit/Section assigned. k.) Incumbent may be asked to perform other related duties. E. Data: Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of financial principles and practices. Ability to identify issues, independently conduct research and analysis, to formulate options and present conclusions and recommendations. Ability to apply various United Nations administrative rules and regulations in work situations. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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.

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. Use time efficiently.

ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors 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.

Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in financial management, accounting, public or business administration, or economics with specialized in accounting, administration, budgeting or programme management and evaluation is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two (2) additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

An internationally recognized accountancy qualification (e.g. Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountants (CIPFA) is desirable.

Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of experience undertaking high-level responsibility in the field of resources management, project management, administrative and financial areas is required. Five (5) years of experience in the United Nations or similar international organizations is required. Working experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system such as System Analysis Program Development (SAP) is desirable. Two (2) years or more experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another United Nations language is desirable. NOTE: Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of “confident” in two of the four areas.

Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

Please click on the button below to Apply.