Chief, Financial Resources Management Service

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Financial Resources Management Service (FRMS), in the Division for Management (DM) at the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in Vienna. The incumbent reports to the Director of the Division for Management (DM). For more information on UNOV, please visit our website: www.unov.org

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following specific duties: • Direct all the activities of the Financial Resources Management Service which include: provision of accounting, payments, payroll, treasury and budgetary services to UNOV/UNODC, including UNODC field offices, and other UN entities supported by UNOV. Review, establish and revise financial policies, procedures, practices, standards and tools that are consistent with UN policy and procedures to ensure proper budgetary, accounting and financial control. Make proposals for changes to Headquarters as appropriate. Ensure compliance with the UN Financial Rules and Regulations • Manage the financial resources of UNOV/UNODC, including the UN regular budget appropriations, and extra-budgetary funds by monitoring the receipt, flow and use of resources and advising the senior management on the possible level of resource allocation. Establish clear budget goals and provide guidance on and supervision of budget preparatory process. Manage the UNOV/UNODC staffing table and the budgetary implications. Direct the financial planning, budgeting and implementation of the operational budgets of UNOV/UNODC, issuing allotment advices and reviewing and monitoring budget implementation. Provide sound financial advice and support to programme managers on programme budgeting to enhance transparency of and effectiveness in the use of resources. Manage the cost recovery procedures, including negotiation and establishment of MOUs with client organizations, billing and regular provision of performance indicator reports to clients. Manage the review and clearance of funding agreements for all activities under the delegation of authority. Review draft host country agreements for all entities serviced by UNOV ; • Supervise and direct the preparation of all UNOV/UNODC budgets and financial statements, including the audited financial statements of the Fund of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme and the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Fund; • Coordinate oversight of UNOV/UNODC through pre-audit/oversight reviews, audit/oversight planning and follow up of all oversight recommendations made by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), the UN Board of Auditors and relevant external oversight bodies; • Formulate and implement the substantive work programme of FRMS. Oversee the management of activities undertaken by the Service, to ensure that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion. Coordinate the work in the different areas both with the Division and UNOV/UNODC, and with other organisations of the United Nations System, as appropriate; • Coordinate and oversee the preparation of budgetary and financial reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies; • Ensure that a) the outputs produced by the Service maintain high-quality standards, b) that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data, c) all outputs produced by the Units under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates; • Assist the Director, DM, in preparing the work programme of the Service, determining priorities and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery; • Undertake and oversee administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of FRMS, including setting priorities and establishing work plans and deadlines, guiding, supervising and developing staff, overseeing the recruitment of staff/personnel for the Service in accordance with the Delegation of Authority framework and taking due account of geographical and gender balance, evaluating staff performance, interviewing and evaluating candidates for job openings; • Participate and represent the Division and the United Nations in inter-agency committees of the Vienna-based organizations and the UN common system, and in international, regional or national meetings, providing programmatic/substantive expertise on relevant issues; • Lead team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provide insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensure that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need. • Perform other work-related duties as may be required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Has expert knowledge in the field of financial resources management in general and in specific areas such as accounts, budget and audits in particular. Has comprehensive knowledge of United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules, policies, procedures and operations. Has proven ability to plan and organize work, requiring an in-depth understanding of its strategic direction and ability to integrate the work of FRMS into the Division’s work programme. Has proven analytical skills and ability to provide technical advice in programme/budget planning and management to managers. Has ability to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to key decisions and positions to staff, senior officials and members of intergovernmental bodies. Has proven ability to communicate complex concepts orally and ability to prepare written reports that are clear, concise and meaningful. Is able to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Has proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling work environment, including the ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff and design training/skills enhancement initiatives to ensure effective transfer of knowledge/skills. Has the 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. • Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. • Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. • Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

An advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in finance, accounting, public administration, business administration and/or management, economics or related area is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree..

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional work experience with an excellent performance record in financial resources management in large, multicultural institutions as well as programme and project planning, analysis and budgeting is required. Demonstrated working experience in managing extra-budgetary resources and cost-recovery arrangements is required. Proven experience in management and technical leadership and in overseeing and being accountable for the correct application of rules and regulations is required. Demonstrated experience in managing large and diverse teams is required. Experience in coordinating and planning oversight activities is desirable. Work experience in senior officer assignments at the United Nations or similar international organization is desirable. Experience with the work of the General Assembly, Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions and Committee for Programme and Coordination is desirable. Experience in supporting global, regional and country technical assistance programmes, including activities in the field, is desirable. Experience in working with with IPSAS financial statements is desirable. 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 another United Nations official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is funded from extra budgetary resources. Filling of this position is subject to funding availability and the initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment will be subject to the availability of funding. 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. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection.  At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity.  All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs.  The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff.  Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Vienna is classified in the H category (family duty station).

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, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, 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. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.