Finance And Budget Officer

UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST – UNRWA   UNRWA is the United Nations agency responsible for the protection, care and human development of a population of some 4.6 millionPalestinerefugees living in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank,Jordan,Lebanon, and theSyrianArabRepublic. The Agency is committed to assistingPalestinerefugees in maintaining a decent standard of living, acquiring appropriate knowledge and skills, enjoying the fullest possible extent of human rights, and leading a long and healthy life. UNRWA is by far the largest UN operation in theMiddle Eastwith over 29,000 staff. Most of the staff members are refugees themselves, working directly to benefit their communities – as teachers, doctors, nurses or social workers. Finance and Budget Officer   Location North LebanonArea Type of Appointment Fixed Term – One year (Project Funded) Deadline for Application 27 August 2012 Vacancy Announcement Number 51/2012 Grade 15 Department/Division Office of the Field Director/Nahr El-Bared Project Management Unit   MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES In accordance with Agency policy and procedures, the incumbent will assist in coordinating and finalizing financial matters of the project management structure in the Field Office and, particularly, will perform the following duties   (A)     Reviews and checks for accuracy budget estimates, adjustments, and reports; certifies availability of funds; checks the financial aspects of the project to ensure accuracy and adherence to ceilings and approved project documents; (B)     Ensures accurate and complete financial reporting and internal control keeping track of activities to be entered into the Finance Management System (FMS); coordinates regularly with the Finance Department to obtain updated information from the FMS on recording of financial transactions, reconciliation of accounts and preparation of financial reports; accesses FMS to remotely monitor all transactions relating to NBC Project; (C)     Controls and monitors budget expenditures and disbursements forecasts; confirms proposed obligations and disbursement for services, supplies and equipment for the project; raises and verifies obligation documents; advises the supervisor on the budget and ensures timely budget submissions; coordinates with the Finance Department annual and biennium accounts closures; (D)     Ensures financial follow-up and control of the projects cash-flow and project forecasting; evaluates and coordinates with the Finance Department on gaps between the actual financial situation and work plan targets and commitments including exchange losses and delays in payment transfers; (E)     Provides support in the elaboration of financial reports and other required documentation, develops standard reporting formats; produces and regularly updates financial parts of the reports; reviews financial data in project progress and final reports prior to submission; prepares financial narrative part for project documentation; (F)      Provides guidance, advises and organizes training for project staff on financial matters, specially, budgeting and financial reporting; (G)     Assesses and analyzes requirements and facilitates procurement and/or deployment of Project Financial Management System (PFMS) in coordination with the Finance Department and supervises reconciliation of financial data between the FMS and PFMS on regular basis; (H)     Performs such as duties as may be assigned.   PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES   (A)     Academic and Professional A university degree, preferably, in finance, accounting, or related field.   (B)     Experience Five years progressively responsible professional experience working with complex accounting or budgeting operations.   (C)     Language Excellent command of spoken and written English and Arabic.     (D)     Competencies (i)      Proficiency in software applications used by the Agency; (ii)    Solid proficiency in budgeting and financial reporting; (iii)   Ability to take initiative and maintain effective relationships with all concerned; (iv)   Strong communication skills.   DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION: (A)     Experience in operation of FMS and/or other project management information systems; (B)     Association of Accounting Technician (AAT) proficiency or any other professional qualification; (C)     Relevant professional experience in a large/international organization.   CONDITIONS OF SERVICE: Salary: Monthly basic salary L.L. 2,114,342. - Contract Duration: Fixed term – One year (Project Funded) Holidays: 30 days annual leave Dependency allowance: Dependent spouse: L.L 60,000 per month     Dependent child: L.L 33,000 per month Pension:  Provident Fund contribution   EQUIVALENCY When the minimum requirements are not fully met, the Director of Human Resources, in consultation with Director of UNRWA Affairs,Lebanon, may exceptionally substitute part of the unmet requirements with a combination of relevant academic qualifications, additional professional training and progressive relevant work experience. NB: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination.   RECRUITMENT PROCESS The Recruitment process is based on the Agency’s strategy to obtain the best qualified and suitable employees through a competitive recruitment process. After the deadline for receiving applications, all applications will be reviewed by the Human Resources Office and the Hiring Department.  Short-listed candidates who fully meet the required criteria shall undergo technical/practical tests and the candidates with the highest passing scores will then be invited to interview (see “Technical and Practical Tests Required” below).  The final recommendation for selection is based on the test results, interview assessment, Agency priorities and needs and the candidates’ profiles. For all posts, the weight allocated for the technical/practical tests (listed below) is 60% and for the interview is 40%.    GENERAL INFORMATION UNRWA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications equally from men and women. It is Agency Policy to give full consideration to qualified disabled candidates whose disability does not impact their ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of the post.   As a member of the United Nations system, UNRWA maintains a close relatives’ policy.  In this regard, if a candidate has a close relative (mother, father, brother, sister, son or daughter) who is already employed by the Agency, he/she can only be employed if the Agency is unable to find another suitable candidate.   UNRWA is a United Nations organization whose staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality. This includes respect for human rights, for diversity, and for non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. UNRWA staff are expected to uphold these values at all times, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. UNRWA is a non-smoking working environment. الأونروا هي منظمة تابعة للأمم المتحدة، وهي منظمة تفترض من موظفيها الالتزام بأعلى معايير الاستقامة والحياد والنزاهة. ويشمل ذلك احترام مبادئ حقوق الإنسان واحترام التنوع وتبني الوسائل غير العنيفة في حل كافة أشكال النزاعات.  المتوقع من موظفي الأونروا أن يقوموا بدعم هذه القيم في كافة الأوقات، سواء في أماكن العمل أم خارجه. إن أولئك الأشخاص الذين يتمتعون بالالتزام الكامل وغير المشروط بهذه القيم هم فقط الذين ينبغي أن يتقدموا بطلباتهم للعمل لدى الأونروا. الأنروا هي بيئه عمل لا يسمح فيها بالتدخين.   Where there are two or more equally qualified candidates, selection preference will normally be given to internal candidates, Palestine Refugees and candidates of the under-represented gender. An internal candidate with a temporary-indefinite or fixed-term appointment selected for this post will not retain his/her current contractual status and entitlements in accordance with current letter of appointment and applicable Area Staff Rules. The Agency maintains the discretion to fill future vacancies for this position from the roster without re-advertising the vacancy.   TECHNICAL & PRACTICAL TESTS REQUIRED: Short-listed candidates will sit for two tests: Computer based technical test (100%).   The top 5 scoring candidates in the computer based technical test given that none have scored less than 50%, will be invited to interview.    HOW TO APPLY If you have the skills and experience required above, and want to make an active and lasting contribution to improving the lives of Palestinerefugees, then register on http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing the UNRWA Personal History Form. Only applications received through this website will be considered. Please note that UNRWA only accepts degrees from accredited educational institutions. Candidates may also be invited to take a technical exam in order further evaluate their qualifications for the post. Due to a high volume of applications received, only short-listed applicants will be contacted. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. The United Nations does not concern itself with information on bank accounts. For any queries, please send an email to recruitmentquestions@unrwa.org