Finance Officer (EU and IP Management)

Requisition ID: 3135 
Grade: P3 
Country: Austria 
Duty Station: Vienna 
Category: Professional and Higher 
Type of Job Posting: Internal/External

Employment Type: Staff-Full-time
Appointment Type: Fixed Term - 100 series
Minimum Annual Salary: 93,488 USD 
Application Deadline: 30-Nov-2023, 11:59 PM (CET)  

Vacancy Announcement
Female candidates from all Member States are particularly encouraged to apply.

Organizational Context

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013 as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. The relevance of ISID as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. The relevance of ISID, however, applies in greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organization’s programmatic focus is structured in four strategic priorities: Creating shared prosperity; Advancing economic competitiveness; Safeguarding the environment; and Strengthening knowledge and institutions.

Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Departments/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

The Directorate of Corporate Services and Operations (COR), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible and accountable for the management of UNIDO’s human, financial and material resources, ensuring the capacity of the Organization to fulfil its mandate. The Directorate oversees a full range of financial, human resources, learning and staff development, procurement, information technology and general services to meet the service support needs of the Organization as a whole. Additionally, the Directorate houses the Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women Unit and the Ethics and Accountability Unit as well as oversees their operations. Furthermore, the Directorate provides guidance on personnel security and safety matters and ensures the overall coordination of UNIDO’s response in this regard.

Financial Services (COR/FIN) enables the Organization to achieve its business and strategic goals through the provision of financial services, including financial control functions at UNIDO Headquarters and in the Field. Aiming to ensure and maintain the financial integrity of the Organization, it develops, maintains and operates policies, systems and tools to facilitate the effective management of the financial resources at the disposal of the Organization. The services provided include budgeting, financial control, financial planning, management of both budgetary and extra-budgetary financial resources; cash management and treasury operations; determination, management and reporting of assessed contributions; receipts and disbursements of funds, including payroll operation for Headquarters and Field staff; financial management of technical cooperation services; and accounting and reporting for both budgetary and extra-budgetary activities of the Organization. Overall, Financial Services collaborates closely with the Strategic Planning and UN Engagement (ODG/SPU) and the Quality, Impact and Accountability (IET/QUA) Divisions, as well as with the Office of Change Management (ODG/CHM), in ensuring the solid Result Based Management and Result Based Budgeting approach of the Organization. Furthermore, in close cooperation with the relevant organizational units, it reviews and implements improvements to the ERP processes and system operations to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the services provided. In addition, it acts as the focal point for interaction with the external auditors and operates the audit support system. It also liaises with Member States, policymaking organs and other strategic partners on financial matters.

The position of Finance Officer (EU and Implementing Partners Management) is located under the Financial Management Unit (COR/FIN/FMU) and provides financial management, through budgeting, monitoring, control and reporting of regular, operational and extra-budgetary resources as well as providing policy and operational advice on related budgetary issues.

The incumbent is expected to deliver: (a) work that contains in-depth analyses contributing to results achieved by the Department; (b) in creating an enabling environment for team work which is catalytic to achieving results; (c) in building relationships which contributes to partnerships resulting in strategic collaborations and (d) in achieving results within a professional team.

The UNIDO Staff Performance Management System reinforces the collaboration within formal units as well as among cross-functional teams. In this context, the incumbent collaborates with his/her supervisor and colleagues, within as well as outside the unit. Within the formal teams, the incumbent may be expected to backstop other team members as required.

Staff -members are subject to the authority of the Director-General and in this context all staff are expected to serve in any assignment and duty station as determined by the needs of the Organization.

Main Responsibilities

The incumbent will work under the general supervision of the Chief/Director of COR/FIN/FMU, daily supervision of the Chief/Team Lead, COR/FIN/FMU, and close cooperation and coordination with the project managers and teams of the European Union (EU) funded projects. The incumbent bears responsibility for the financial aspects of the EU funded projects as well as monitors performance of all Implementing Partner Agreements. 

Financial Management of the EU-funded projects

• Review the budget proposals in line with the agreement in terms of amounts, thresholds and end date in line with the FAFA and UNIDO rules and regulations.

• Maintain and analyse accounts and records to ensure correctness of information on receipts, disbursements, commitments, support costs, etc.

• Coordinate meetings with the project team and the EU-donor to review implementation, discuss issues and related solutions.

• Review financial forecasts to formulate requests for cash replenishment to donor and budget proposals; monitoring cash receipt and disbursement.

• Reviewing quarterly and yearly financial reports for EU donors in line with the current Financial Administrative Framework Agreement (FAFA) between UN and EU.

• Monitor and coordinate with finance colleagues the Cross Application Time-Sheet (CATS) process in the ERP system to maximize cost recovery.

• Coordinate actions with IT and Digitalization Services (COR/DIG) to improve efficiency and automation of the CATS process.

• Support project managers in the calculation of the CATS amount in line with the EU agreement.

EU Audits and Verifications

• Coordinate audits and verification exercises with project managers and provide pertinent advice during the audit or verification process.

• Review financial reports and transactions details for verifying any issues involving EU implementing partners.

• Review EU implementing partners and grant beneficiaries financial reports in line with UNIDO rules and regulations, administrative instructions and with last updated EU Pillar Assessment. 

• Coordinate with project managers and other colleagues (treasury and procurement) with the supporting documents for the selected sample items for the audit/verification.

• Review supporting documents and follow up with project managers, treasury and other colleagues involved to ensure these are in line with donor eligibility requirements.

• Propose solutions in case of observations or issues identified during the audit or verifications. Concrete/measurable outputs to be achieved, specifically minimization of audit or verification observations.

• Undertake other related duties and assignments as required.

Verification and Financial Control of Implementing Partner Agreements

• Review of implementing partners and grant beneficiaries financial reports in line with UNIDO financial rules, regulations, and administrative instructions.

• Responsible for facilitating financial management of the grant component and the financial control of the grant beneficiary. In this role, perform verification of advance, progress and final payments.

• Verify that, the implementation of the grant is in compliance with the conditions of support set out in the grant agreement; the amount of expenditure claimed by the beneficiaries in relation to the progress and final payments has been paid by the beneficiaries and that beneficiaries maintain separate accounting records for all transactions relating to the grant;

• Where costs are to be reimbursed in the form of unit costs and lump sums, that the conditions for the reimbursement of expenditure to the grant beneficiary have been met.

The incumbent is expected to backstop other members in the Division and project management team as required.

Core Values and Competencies

Core Values

WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially.

WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard and competently in a committed and responsible manner.

WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: work together effectively, respectfully and inclusively, regardless of our differences in culture and perspective.

Key Competencies

WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE: cooperate to fully reach our potential –and this is true for our colleagues as well as our clients. Emotional intelligence and receptiveness are vital parts of our UNIDO identity.

WE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: focus on planning, organizing and managing our work effectively and efficiently. We are responsible and accountable for achieving our results and meeting our performance standards. This accountability does not end with our colleagues and supervisors, but we also owe it to those, we serve and who have trusted us to contribute to a better, safer and healthier world.

WE COMMUNICATE AND EARN TRUST: communicate effectively with one another and build an environment of trust where we can all excel in our work.

WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INNOVATE: To stay relevant, we continuously improve, support innovation, share our knowledge and skills, and learn from one another.

Minimum Organizational Requirements

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in economics, finance, business and administration or other related field is required.

Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in the field of budget and financial management, at international level is required.

• Experience in working with international organizations such as the UN system is desirable.

• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and with financial management within the framework of the EU-UN FAFA agreement is required.

• Demonstrable Experience with other non-EU voluntary contributions is desirable.

• Demonstrable Experience with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) is desirable.

• Demonstrable prior experience with harmonization of business practices and ERP systems in the private sector and/or international organizations is desirable. 

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is required.  Fluency in or working knowledge of other United Nations language(s), particularly French is desirable.

NOTE: UNIDO professional level applicants are required to have served at least one year in their current position, if applying for a higher-level position. However, the seniority-in-grade requirements for applying for higher level positions, as per paragraphs 18 and 78 of the HRMF, have been waived.

UNIDO General Service applicants are required to be at least at the GS-5 level; to have served in their current position for at least two years; and to have served in UNIDO for at least five years.

For further information on salaries, refer to the International Civil Service Commission website: https://icsc.un.org/

Employees of UNIDO are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for jobs at UNIDO.

All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System. Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process. Selected candidate(s) may be required to disclose to the Director General the nature and scope of financial and other personal interests and assets in respect of themselves, their spouses and dependents, under the procedures established by the Director General.

Visit the UNIDO careers site for details on how to apply: https://careers.unido.org/ 

NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at a lower level.

Notice to applicants:
UNIDO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Vacant positions within UNIDO are advertised on the official UNIDO website. Should you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of UNIDO and requesting payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unido.org