Finance and Budget Assistant (Multiple)

The Finance and Budget Assistant supports budget preparation, financial reporting, accounting transactions, payroll administration, and general financial management tasks within the United Nations Office at Nairobi. The role involves assisting Finance/Budget Officers in budget reviews, expenditure analysis, payroll processing, and ensuring compliance with UN financial rules and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Assists in the preparation of supporting documents with respect to finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals.
• Supports Finance/Budget Officers in extracting information and generating expenditure reports from computerized information system databases.
• Assists in the development of resource requirements for budget submissions and in the preparation of budget performance submissions.
• Researches and compiles data required by Finance Budget Officers in review and analysis of proposals.
• Consolidates data and supports Finance/Budget Officers with budget reviews of intergovernmental and expert bodies.
• Assists in preparation and finalization of budget performance reports and analysis of variances.
• Prepares pre-encumbrances and obligations in ERP system and reviews fund availability and account correctness.
• Assists in drafting financial sections of reports to Security Council and other UN bodies.
• Assists in financial backstopping of trust funds and monitoring voluntary contributions and reporting requirements.
• Assists in issuance of allotments and staffing table authorizations, verifying accuracy and consistency.
• Prepares, processes, and reviews complex accounting transactions ensuring compliance with financial rules.
• Investigates erroneous transactions and implements corrective accounting actions.
• Records and maintains financial transactions in ERP system, verifying payments and supporting documentation.
• Reconciles general ledger and suspense accounts, investigates variances, and prepares accounting adjustments.
• Supports global payroll operations including processing, uploads, and monitoring insurance and pension transactions.
• Reviews and validates payroll runs, performs comparison checks and data analysis, and addresses discrepancies.
• Responds to clients on payroll and benefits enquiries and requests for financial information.
• Keeps up to date on documents and guidelines related to programme budgets ensuring compliance with UN policies.
• Drafts routine correspondence related to financial and budget matters.
• Provides administrative support to unit heads and Finance/Budget Officers as required.
• Assists with data collection, analysis, presentations, and updating information materials.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Completion of high school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Supplementally training in finance, administration and project management is desirable.
• A recognized accountancy qualification (e.g. Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountants (CIPFA)) is desirable.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, or related area is required.
• The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to three (3) years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher.
• Experience in the use of ERP systems or equivalent is required.
• At least one (1) year of experience in analyzing HR related entitlements, resolving payroll discrepancies, processing separation entitlements, and recording payroll accounting entries in an international organization is desirable.
• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), IFRS and IPSAS is desirable.
• Knowledge and experience of Staff Rules and Regulations and Financial Regulations, Rules and procedures of the United Nations or similar international organizations is desirable.
• English is required at UN Level III for reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Skills

• Budget Preparation
• Financial Reporting
• Accounting Transactions Processing
• Payroll Administration
• Expenditure Analysis
• ERP Systems
• Payroll Processing
• Payroll Accounting Entries
• GAAP Knowledge
• IFRS knowledge
• IPSAS knowledge
• Staff Rules and Regulations
• UN Financial Rules
• Project Management
• Accounting Qualification
• Finance Experience
• Budget Management

Languages

English