Assistant Director Finance and Budget Division

The Assistant Director Finance and Budget Division leads and manages the Finance and Budget Division of the ASEAN Secretariat, overseeing all financial operations and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. The role involves managing resources, guiding staff, and providing high-level financial advice to support ASEAN's operational and strategic objectives.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and overall management of the Division including managing human, financial, and physical resources.
• Provide directions and guide staff on professional matters and foster teamwork and collaboration within the Division and across Divisions/Directorates/Departments.
• Conduct annual performance appraisals for staff and map training and professional development activities for individual staff.
• Participate in and contribute to Directorate/Department/Management and ASEAN Scheduled meetings as appropriate.
• Oversee all financial operations/activities of ASEC and ensure that financial systems and internal controls are in place and in compliance with AFARP.
• Review financial and accounting systems and recommend improvements.
• Ensure robust financial systems for accurate and timely processing of financial transactions.
• Monitor and analyse financial transactions to ensure accuracy and integrity.
• Monitor expenditure patterns against approved budgets and advise on financial policy to ensure compliance with AFARP and international accounting and auditing standards.
• Manage the financial and budgetary matters of ASEC including operational budget preparation and execution.
• Lead and coordinate the consolidation and development of ASEC’s Annual Operational Budget proposal and oversee budget preparation processes.
• Execute financial transactions as per AFARP and ensure proper record maintenance, process, and payments verification.
• Verify payment instructions to banks before release of payments and ensure adequate security for cash held.
• Conduct day to day monitoring of ASEC finances including compliance with AFARP, reconciliations, cash flow management, and funding requirements.
• Facilitate internal and external audits.
• Provide high level advice to the Director of Corporate Affairs and Deputy Secretary-General on budget progress and emerging financial issues.
• Facilitate operational areas and budget holders in effectively monitoring and managing their respective budgets.
• Ensure timely deliverables of financial statements/reports and clean audit reports.
• Monitor and supervise the day-to-day operation of Trust and Project Funds (TPF) to ensure compliance with AFARP and Terms of Reference.
• Ensure timely reporting on TPF utilization and initiate necessary follow-up actions including return of unexpended balances.
• Provide advice on development and implementation of investment strategies to increase revenue from TPF.
• Maintain appropriate systems, policies and procedures to ensure transparency of expenditure of Dialogue Partners/donor funds.
• Ensure Dialogue Partners and Donors requirements are fulfilled along with ASEC rules and procedures on managing TPF including international accounting and reporting standards.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent degree) in Financial Management or relevant discipline and/or certified Accountant.
• Extensive supervisory experience, within a senior management position with a minimum six (6) years high-level experience in a recognised specialised field.
• Sound accounting skills.
• Sound corporate, strategic and business planning skills.
• Proven experience in research, public policy development and negotiation, and in working closely with government officials.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain sound working relationships with public and private sector organisations and other stakeholders.
• Proven ability for accuracy under pressure and adherence to deadlines.
• A sound understanding of international and regional issues, and knowledge of and commitment to ASEAN ideals.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate staff in a complex work environment.
• High-level interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills, including experience in cross-cultural environment and international settings.
• Commitment to teamwork and collaborative work practices.
• Ability to multi-task, work long and irregular hours, and perform tasks outside the usual job scope; and
• Excellent command of English, written and spoken

Skills

• Finance Management
• Certified Public Accountant
• Supervision Experience
• Accounting Skills
• Corporate Planning
• Strategic Planning
• Business Planning
• Research
• Public Policy Design
• Negotiation
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Accuracy Under Pressure
• Deadline Management
• International Issues Knowledge
• Regional Issues Knowledge
• People Leadership
• Team Motivation
• Interpersonal Skills
• Cross-Cultural Communication
• Financial Compliance

Languages

English