Org. Setting and Reporting
The Economic Commission for Africa's (ECA) mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. The mission will be guided by ECA's five new strategic directions which are: Advancing ECA's position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent's problems and take local solution to the continent developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation
designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus advocating Africa's position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.
This position is located in the Finance and Budget Section, Administration and Conference Management Division (ACMD), at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The incumbent reports directly to the Head of the Finance and Budget Section.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Finance & Budget Officer will be responsible for the following duties: (These duties are generic and may not be carried out by all Finance & Budget Officers.) Medium-term plan:
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.
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.
Ensure legislative mandates are accurately translated into program budgets. Budget preparation:
Reviews, analyses and finalizes cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements from (a) Departments/offices at headquarters and in the field, including programmatic aspects; (b) peacekeeping operations; ensure compliance with the medium-term plan and other legislative mandates.
Provides detailed input with respect to resource requirements for budget submissions.
Reviews, analyzes and finalizes program budget/financial implications to the Security Council statements in light of additional mandates.
Provides substantive support to relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies in their budget review; assists in securing approval from the General Assembly. Budget administration:
Issues allotments, authorizes sub-allotments, including redeployment of funds when necessary, ensuring appropriate expenditures.
Manages and monitors budget implementation and recommends reallocation of funds as necessary.
Monitors expenditures to ensure that they remain within authorized levels.
Administers and monitors extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures.
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.
Prepares budget performance submissions.
Reviews and finalizes budget performance reports, analyzing variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
Provides substantive support to relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies. Cost Recovery and Client Management
Contributes to the cost recovery planning, billing and monitoring of client services.
Provides strategic advice on budgeting, resource planning and compliance.
Oversees client relations, audit, financial reporting, financial management, and service delivery improvement.
Coordinates financial and budgetary aspects of the Common Administrative Platform (CAP) initiatives and related service arrangements. General
Provides advice and guidance, including training, to headquarters and field staff on budgetary and financial policies and procedures, including results-based budgeting.
Participates in inter-departmental meetings and/or technical survey missions on matters related to resource requirements, programming and budgetary issues.
Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to program and/or peacekeeping budgets, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures.
Drafts reports for intergovernmental bodies and for management on budgetary issues, and correspondence.
Drafts official documentation to troop contributing countries concerning reimbursements from the United Nations.
Undertakes research and analysis of budgetary policies and procedures, makes recommendations for changes and/or modifications.
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.
Ensures the integrity of financial and management systems and the controls that underpin them.
Provides support with respect to representation of the Section in high level meetings
Represents FBS or division in inter and intra-departmental meetings.
May plan, organize, manage and supervise the work of the Unit/Section assigned.
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.
Incumbents may be asked to perform other related duties. Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Budget, finance, accounts, administrative and substantive officers in the Headquarter, and in the Sub-Regional Offices and Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP);Office of Internal Oversight Services; external auditors; Budget Officers in United Nations Headquarters Member state representatives in permanent missions, delegations, governments, etc., including military and civilian police representatives. Results Expected:
Effective preparation, implementation and monitoring of Regular Budget Programme and overseeing the management of the extra-budgetary resources.
Timely delivery of quality financial analysis, reports and budgetary advice.
Strengthened cost recovery, CAP coordination and client service delivery.
Enhanced financial integrity, compliance and internal controls. Effective leadership and support on budgeting and financial management matters
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of financial and budgetary principles and practices, budget development and financial administration of resources. Ability to develop budgetary policies, procedures and new programmes. Ability to formulate new strategies and technical approaches to budgetary matters.
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.
The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
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.
Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying 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 an advantage.
Work Experience
Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in finance, administration, budget, business administration, or related area is required. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. French is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).
Required Languages
Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking
English | UN Level III | UN Level III | UN Level III | UN Level III
Desirable Languages
Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking
French | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This position is temporarily available for 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The position is funded from General Temporary Assistance (GTA). Extension of the appointment is subject to the availability of funds and/or extension of the mandate. The appointment against this post will be on a fixed-term basis and does not carry any expectancy, legal or otherwise, of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment.
Extension of appointment is subject to satisfactory performance and continuing need for the functions. 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. 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.
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. Pursuant to section 6.9 of ST/AI/2010/3/Rev. 1, interns, consultants, individual contractors, and gratis personnel may not apply for or be appointed to any vacancy in the Professional or higher categories within six months of the end of their current or most recent service.
Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals' programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. Internal Applicants
When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience, and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgment within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Contact Us" link.
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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2
(a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2.
(c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.