Senior Budget Officer

Panamá, Provincia de PanamáPanamá, Provincia de PanamáPanamá, Provincia de PanamáProcedures and Eligibility Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.
Duties and Qualifications
Senior Budget OfficerOrganizational Setting and Work RelationshipsThe Senior Budget Officer provides substantive resource management guidance to the Senior Management in its geographic area of responsibility. Under the direct supervision of the Regional Controller, and in coordination with DFAM¿s Programme Budget Service, the incumbent is responsible for guiding, monitoring, advising on, and supporting budget management.With the objective of constantly improving UNHCR budget management and cost-efficiency in all areas, the incumbent establishes and maintains effective budget management mechanisms to ensure compliance with ¿UN financial regulations and UNHCR¿s rules, policies and procedures including, and not limited to, accuracy in postings and use of chartfield combinations, up-to-date OL and AOL figures, assessment of budget submissions, and checking/validation of submissions for position changes and requests for Temporary Assistance.The incumbent may have frequent contacts with UNHCR offices and counterparts in other organizations. He/she supports the work of the Regional Controller with authority to discuss problems and seek common ground on which to recommend solutions based on predetermined guidelines provided by higher authority.The incumbent may directly supervise professional and general service staff.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.DutiesDevelop and maintain in-depth understanding of the geographical area of responsibility to facilitate the analysis of budget management and budget submissions.Analyse budget and resource management and devise innovative practical ways to improve the efficient use of resources by maximizing opportunities and developing and monitoring context-specific KPIs and benchmarks to complement corporate-level indicators.Provide advice on budget management throughout the programme cycle following-up as required to ensure best practices are observed, resources are used in a cost-effective manner and that adequate controls are in place, anticipating, preventing and proposing solutions to problems and issues that arise.Coordinate with Regional Controller or the Office of the Controller, as applicable, regarding the interpretation of policies and procedures and provide advice on their practical application.Coordinate the planning for financial requirements, 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.Undertake, throughout the entire budget cycle, financial monitoring and analysis of all financial operations as well as analysis of progress towards financial objectives, ensuring consistency with approved budget, strategy and organizational guidelines and proposing corrective action if necessary.Support and monitor 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.Assist data quality processes to ensure accurate and meaningful reporting.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).Perform other related duties as required.Minimum QualificationsEducation & Professional Work ExperienceYears of Experience / Degree LevelFor P4/NOD - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degreeField(s) of EducationBusiness Administration; Economics; Management;or other relevant field.(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)Certificates and/or LicensesN / A(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)Relevant Job ExperienceEssential:At least 5 years in total should be in an international capacity directly relevant to the current position that should include exposure to field operations at hardship duty stations.Excellent knowledge and experience in budget management, including position budget management, budget allocation and planning and budgeting in an International organisation, preferably within the UN system.Excellent computer skills and working knowledge of MS Office softwareHighly developed drafting skills.Desirable:Exposure to UNHCR or humanitarian field operations.
Working knowledge of PeopleSoft ERP, and RBM Software - Focus.Exposure to UNHCR specific learning/training activities (i.e. UNHCR Management Learning Programme).Functional SkillsBudgeting;UNHCR budgetary cycle and procedures;Resource Management(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)Language RequirementsFor 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.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.
Position Competencies
C001L3 - Accountability Level 3C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3C003L3 - Communication Level 3C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3M005L3 - Leadership Level 3M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3X003L3 - Technological Awareness Level 3X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
Additional Information
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Additional Information
For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage them – before deciding to apply- to read the country specific security and welfare country profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care.Staff after having applied to High Risk Duty Stations will have access to country specific information webinars with Field Safety Section (FSS) and Staff Welfare Section (SWS) colleagues and provided with a tool to test their psychological preparedness for serving in High Risk Duty Stations. Applicants who applied for a position in a High Risk country will receive, after the deadline for applications has expired, a joint invitation from the Staff Welfare Section (SWS) and the Field Safety Section (FSS) to participate in these webinars. During the Webinars, latest updates on security and well-being will be provided, and FSS and SWS will address questions raised by participants. Applicants are highly encouraged to benefit, when applicable, from all measures as they provide most up-to-date security and well-being information helpful to assess staff’s readiness to serve in a High Risk Duty Station. A Staff Welfare Officer will also be available, if and when required, to discuss with interested applicants the results of the psychological preparedness tool as well as readiness for assignment in High Risk Duty Stations.Closing Date
Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in this addendum is Monday 19 August 2019 (midnight Geneva time).