United Nations Chief of Section, Finance - Jobs in Kenya

United Nations 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), the Resident Coordinator Systems (RCS) 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 position is located in the Budget and Financial Management Service (BFMS), Division of Administrative Services (DAS). Within delegated authority, the Chief of Section will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities
1. Leading the activities of the Section which include:

a). Managing procedures and practices for expenditure control and financial reporting of regular budget and extra-budgetary funds of UNON and the clients;
b). 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 of UNEP and UN Habitat and donor reports for the clients and ensuring the observance of reporting deadlines;
c). Reviewing and coordinating financial systems and procedures of UNON and the client offices and ensuring uniformity of systems among offices;
d). Discharging, as required, approving officer's or certifying officer’s responsibilities for all financial obligations pertaining to UNON and the clients;
e). Coordinating and finalizing responses to external and internal auditors’ observations on matters relating to the Section;
f). 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:

a). Analyzing the financial reporting requirements and coordinating preparation of financial statements based on International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS);
b). 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;
c). Implementing financial decisions of the governing bodies, financial instructions from UNHQ and audit recommendations; Managing and reviewing delegated financial authority within the Section.

3. Providing strategic advice and guidance on financial management issues by:

a). Analyzing complex financial issues and making appropriate recommendations through the Chief, Budget and Financial Management System (BFMS);
b). Maintaining liaison with Department of Operational Support (DOS) and Department of Management Policy Strategic and Compliance (DMSPC) on financial services, accounting and payroll matters;
c). Coordinating and reviewing medium-term plans, cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements from the other Services and ensuring compliance with the medium-term plan and other legislative mandates;
d). Coordinating inputs in the preparation of budget submission and reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, and other policy-making organs, as appropriate;
e). Coordinating inputs for the reporting to intergovernmental bodies on budget/ programme performance, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports;
f). Maintaining close contacts with counterparts in other UN organizations to discuss issues of common concern, encourage consensus and negotiate support for UNON and the clients’ 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.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors on-going developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

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 is required. 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 English is required. A good working knowledge of French or another UN official language is desirable.

NOTE: "Fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and " Knowledge of" equals a rating of " confident" in two of the four areas.

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



How to apply
For more information and job application details, see; United Nations Chief of Section, Finance - Jobs in Kenya

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