UN Chief of Section - Finance Jobs in Kenya

UN Chief of Section - Finance Jobs in Kenya

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the UN headquarters in Africa and the representative office of the Secretary-General. UNON supports programme implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-HABITAT) globally, as well as other UN offices in Kenya, by providing administrative, conference and information services (www.unon.org).

This post is located in the Accounts Section within the Budget and Financial Management Service (BFMS), Division of Administrative Services (DAS). Within delegated authority, the Chief of Accounts Section will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

1. Leading the activities of the Accounts Section which include: Managing procedures and practices for expenditure control and financial reporting of regular budget and extra-budgetary funds of UNON, UNEP and UN-Habitat; Maintaining proper accounting records and reports, including analysis of financial accounts to ensure that decision makers receive timely and accurate financial information, and coordinating the preparation of financial statements and ensuring the observance of reporting deadlines; Reviewing and coordinating financial systems and procedures of UNEP and UN-HABITAT outposted offices and ensuring uniformity of systems among offices; Discharging, as required, approving officer's responsibilities for all financial obligations pertaining to UNEP, UN-HABITAT and UNON; Coordinating and finalizing responses to external and internal auditors’ observations on matters relating to the Accounts Section; Managing professional and general service staff of the Section, inculcating in them UN values and principles, setting jointly with them objectives and standards, managing the performance appraisal system in the Section and facilitating a harmonious working environment of open communication, high productivity and team work.

2. Ensuring consistent application and observance of the UN Financial Regulations and Rules and Instructions by: Analyzing the financial reporting requirements and coordinating preparation of financial statements based on International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS); Interpreting the Financial Regulations and Rules in the administration of the UN regular and extra-budgetary funds and reviewing accounting policies and practices, as appropriate; Implementing financial decisions of the governing bodies, financial instructions from UNHQ and audit recommendations; Managing and reviewing delegated financial authority within the Accounts Section.

3. Providing strategic advice and guidance on financial management issues by: Analyzing complex financial issues and making appropriate recommendations through the Chief, Budget and Financial Management System (BFMS); Maintaining liaison with ICSC and Department of Management Policy Strategic and Compliance (DMSPC) on financial accounting and payroll matters; Maintaining close contacts with counterparts in other UN organizations to discuss issues of common concern, encourage consensus and negotiate support for UNEP, UNON and UN-HABITAT position on issues of financial accounting.

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrate professional competence in and in-depth knowledge of accounting principles, procedures and standards. Ability to apply conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills in accounting operations and provide technical advice to managers. Ability to prepare reports or rationale with respect to key accounting decisions, including formulating new strategies and approaches in financial operations. 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.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Accounting, Finance or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in accounting, finance or related area is required.

Working experience with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and financial statement preparation is required.

Working experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and financial systems such as Oracle or SAP is required.

Working experience in a supervisory capacity with proof of performance management is required.

Working experience in trust fund accounting is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.

For this position, fluency in oral and written English is required. A good working knowledge of French is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Appointment against this post is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension.

Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy.

Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her.

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.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee
The United Nations Does Not Charge a Fee at Any Stage of the Recruitment Process (Application, Interview Meeting, Processing, or Training). The United Nations Does Not Concern Itself With Information on Applicants’ Bank Accounts.

UN Chief of Section - Finance Jobs in Kenya

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