Jordan: National Professional Officer (Budget and Finance)

PostTitle: National Professional Officer (Budget and Finance)

Domain: UNESCO - Amman

PostNumber:5JOBFM1000RP

Grade: NO-C (Only nationals are eligible to apply for this post)

Organizational Unit: UNESCO Offices for Iraq and Amman, Platform

PrimaryLocation: Amman - Jordan

Recruitmentopento: Nationals Only

Typeof contract: Fixed Term

Annualsalary:41,459 Jordanian Dinar

Deadline (midnight, Amman time)**:** 05 January 2018

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the direct supervision of Chief of Finance and Administrative Platform (AO) of the UNESCO Offices for Iraq and Jordan and the overall authority of the Head of UNESCO Amman Office and the Director of the UNESCO Office for Iraq, with functional guidance from the Bureau of Financial Management (BFM) and following the Table of Delegated Authority and Accountability, the incumbent will have the responsibility for leading the Budget Unit and supervising budgetary and financial functions, processes and personnel in compliance with UNESCO’s rules and regulations.

The incumbent is accountable for the accuracy of budget and financial details, the consolidation of information related to financial and budgetary matters and, in compliance with guidelines set by UNESCO , controls the commitments and budget components/structure of approved activities and projects.

More particularly, the incumbent shall:

1. Elaborate budget and reports and ensure appropriate financial management for the UNESCO offices in Jordan and Iraq:

· In consultation with the Chief of Finance and Administrative Platform on UNESCO’s financial and budget regulations, prepare reports and analyses for submission to UNESCO Senior Management and Headquarters or national partners;

· Perform financial planning, reporting and analysis for the Offices served by the Platform;

· Identify potential risks in relation to financial management, including effective internal controls, and propose mitigating action to the supervisor, as applicable;

· Elaborate the annual budget for UNESCO offices in Jordan and Iraq and review, together with donors and project officers the project budget as needed and monitor/control extra-budgetary co-operation agreements;

· Act as focal point in the office for liaising with the Bureau of Financial Management at UNESCO Headquarters.

2.Collaborate with Project Co-ordinators and Project Officers:

· Consult/Collaborate with project coordinators and project officers on issues pertaining to portfolios and individual projects for extra-budgetary and regular programme activities;

· Advise on administrative procedures to be taken to carry out activities foreseen in project documents and under regular programme budget, stipulating how funds received are applied under different agreements with UNESCO;

· Participate in the elaboration of new extra-budgetary cooperation agreements by supporting project officers in the definition of project work plans and budgets, reviewing and validating budget before signing is carried out.

1. Management of the Unit:

· Liaise and co-ordinate with internal and external partners including other Heads of Units both within the Jordan and Iraq offices and at Headquarters on providing reports, and enabling/initiating the implementation of new features/initiatives in view of local procedures/systems;

· Participate in Special Projects in which the Budget Unit is involved and articulate UNESCO office in Amman and Iraq’s response;

· Participate in day-to-day activities dealing with contracts, biddings and accounts to certify commitments prior to engaging the organization in financial liabilities and submitting contracts to the Contracts Committee;

· Liaise with the Procurement Unit to supply information on unliquidated obligations required by BFM, (detailing UNESCO office in Amman and Iraq’s legal commitments and providing supporting documentation);

· Liaise with HR Unit on UNESCO office in Amman and Iraq and Antenna office costs and interact with IT Unit to build systems/features to meet the needs of the Budget Unit;

· Provide guidelines on budget-related issues to staff, distribute work and follow up on jobs performed

· within the Unit;

1. Monitor the financial aspects of project management and operational risks at the Office levels, analyze financial patterns and provide advice;

· Ensure compliance with the applicable financial rules, policies and procedures and certify payments within specified limits.

1. Relationships with Partners

· Meet with partners on project-budget issues and budgetary rules of the organization to enable the realization of foreseen activities and promote/encourage understanding and acceptance of the organizational rules and objectives;

· Provide training and advice to external project staff on budget components, structure and classification for future execution of budget activities;

· Provide day-to-day budgetary and financial guidance to colleagues and external partners on UNESCO’s rules and regulations.

1. Liaise with UNESCO Headquarters:

· Control signed extra-budgetary cooperation agreements and elaborate documents to be sent to UNESCO HQ for approval and registration in the system;

· Communicate regularly with BFM and other central services for approval and revision of budgets;

· Interpret financial rules, policies and procedures, provide advice to staff on their practical application, consult with HQ on clarities related to financial and budgetary issues and ensure a common understanding and interpretation of these within the Platform; Submit reports on UNESCO office in Amman and Iraq’s budget and budget revisions as well as on ongoing and terminated projects (rendering of accounts, showing how funds are used based on the agreement stipulated by the PRODOC).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

· Advanced university degree (Master degree or equivalent) in the field of accounting, finance, business, public administration or other related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

WORKEXPERIENCE

· Minimum 4 years of relevant professional experience in budget and finance work.

· Experience in administrative work, preferably with wide experience in budget and finance in a UN agency or other international organization.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as ability, to interpret rules and administrative guidelines.

· Flexibility to adjust work schedules and priorities.

· Ability to interact with a wide range of partners with tact and discretion

· Ability to work as part of a team within a multicultural environment

· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral).

LANGUAGES

· Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken)

· Very good knowledge of Arabic (written and spoken)

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

· Specialized training/certification on Budget and Finance.

WORK EXPERIENCE

· Solid Experience using financial management software, including MS Office software applications.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

· Micro-computer: elaborates documents, analyses data, controls and updates system knowledge-sharing capabilities;

LANGUAGES

· Good knowledge of French

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

UNESCO’s salaries are calculated in US dollars but paid in local currency. Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, medical insurance and pension plan. More details can be found on the ICSC Website

Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.**A WRITTEN EXAMINATION MAY BE USED IN THE EVALUATION OF CANDIDATES.**

To apply, please send your application letter, UNESCO CV (CV Form to be used), in English by email: recruitment.amman@unesco.org. Please label the subject line “NationalProfessional Officer (Budget and Finance)”

Application files will have to reach UNESCO Amman Office before 05 January 2018 midnight (Amman, Jordan, time).

Due to the large number of applications received, only applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted.

UNESCO is committed to promote geographical distribution and gender equality within its Secretariat. Therefore, women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, as well as nationals from non- and under-represented Member States. Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

Worldwide mobility is required as staff members have to serve in other duty stations according to UNESCO’s geographical mobility policy.