United Nations Associate Experts Programme Code#: INT-022-15-P019-01-V Submitted by: Agency/Unit: I have no objections to share my contact information with the candidate/donor Signature: I agree Date Mandatory for field positions: please indicate an HR focal point/ administrative contact person in the field duty station Approved by (If different from above): Agency/Unit: Signature: Date 1
United Nations Associate Experts Programme TERMS OF REFERENCE Associate Expert (JPO) INT-022-15-P019-01-V Please indicate if this ToR supersedes a previously submitted ToR for the same position: YES I. General Information Associate Expert in Programme Planning and Budgeting Sector of Assignment: Management and operations support, budgeting focusing on support to field missions Organization/Office: (United Nations Department of Management OPPBA - Programme Planning and Budget Division) (New York, United States of America) [Non- X] Date Required: As soon as possible Duration: 1 year (with possible extension for another year) [Extension of appointment is subject to yearly review concerning priorities, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance] II. Supervision Direct Supervision by: Mr. Tek Pokwal Title of Supervisor: Chief of Service I Content and methodology of supervision: Establishment of a Work Plan: During the first month of the assignment, the Associate Expert will work jointly with 2
his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed upon work plan. The final work plan will be discussed and mutually agreed to by the Associate Expert and his/her supervisor. Evaluation: The United Nations Performance Evaluation System (e-performance) will serve as a primary platform to evaluate of the Associate Expert s performance. III. Duties, Responsibilities and Output Expectations Strategic planning and Budget Preparation Participates in the preparation of the biennial programme plans and ensures compliance with the relevant policy. Reviews, analyses and computes budgetary and financial data to ensure budget proposals are appropriate and in line with relevant policy. Ensures mandates are accurately translated into programme budgets. Provides guidance to other offices (clients) in budgetary matters. Budget execution / administration: Prepares allotments and allocations to other Offices (clients). Monitors expenditure levels to ensure they remain within authorized levels, when necessary. Budget reporting: Identifies differences between approved budgets and actual expenditures and prepares budget performance reports providing the necessary variance analysis. Uses the information obtained from the analysis of financial data to propose benchmarks against which the performance will be measured. General / Other functions: Provides budgetary support to intergovernmental and legislative bodies throughout the budget process. Keeps abreast of documents / policy that are relevant for the appropriate performance of programme budget functions. Drafts and finalizes budget and strategic planning documents. IV. Qualifications and Experience Education: An advanced level university degree (Masters or equivalent) in business administration, economics or finance or related field. Work experience: At least 2 years of progressively responsible experience in finance, administration, budget, business administration or related area Languages: Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage Other skills: Solid computer skills, including proficiency in use of microsoft word, excel, powerpoint. Capacity to manipulate data and quickly identify trends and deviations is desired. Able to translate mandates to resource requirements. Knowledge of finance modules of internationally recognized enterprise resource planning software (ERP) such as Oracle, SAP is desirable. 3
UN competencies: PROFESSIONALISM - Demonstrates professional competence in budgetary and financial planning, monitoring of budget execution and reporting of budgetary and financial information; independently performs budget analysis and compares historical and actual financial data in an effort to improve budget forecasting. Drafts comprehensive budget and strategic planning documents. 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. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING - Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. TEAMWORK Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; builds consensus for task purpose and direction with team members; supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. V. Learning Elements On completion of the assignment, the Associate Expert will be able to: Understand the budget cycle of the United Nations (Regular Budget, Special Political Missions and Voluntary Contributions); Identify and propose budgetary solutions that address needs of UN field missions; Understand the policy framework and related challenges under which the United Nations has to deliver its mandates and programmes, particularly in the field; Be aware of the resources entrusted to the UN to deliver its mandates and the stipulations that need to be respected with regard to the use of financial and human resources and identify / implement solutions that allow its efficient and effective management; Be fully proficient in budget preparation practices and regulatory frameworks governing the Programme Planning and Budgeting in the United Nations; Be aware of best information technology systems practices related to budget and finance in the United Nations and how they enable the efficient and effective work of the Organization; Be fully proficient with the IT systems used by the United Nations; VI. Background Information OPPBA is headed by the Controller and is comprised of 5 components, the Programme Planning and Budget Division (PPBD); Peacekeeping Financing Division (PFD); Financial Accounting and Contributions Division; Treasury; and Financial Information Operations Service. The JPO will work in the Programme Planning and Budget Division (PPBD) within OPPBA. PPBD is headed by a Director at the D-2 level and is comprised of 3 Services, each headed by a D-1 Service Chief, and a Policy Coordination Unit (PCU) headed by a P-5 Chief, PCU. All three Services and the Policy Coordination Unit report directly to the Director of the Division. The JPO will work in Service I, focusing mainly on support to field missions (UNTSO and UNMOGIP) and special political missions 4
The core functions of the Programme Planning and Budget Division (PPBD) are as follows : (a) Developing and implementing policies, procedures and methodology, consistent with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and the Regulations and Rules Governing Programme Planning, the Programme Aspects of the Budget, the Monitoring of Implementation and the Methods of Evaluation, on matters relating to the programme budget and extrabudgetary resources, and providing guidance to departments/offices in respect thereto; (b) Preparing and presenting to the legislative bodies the Secretary-General s budget outline; biennial programme budgets, including budgets of special political missions and budgets of the criminal tribunals; budget performance reports; and other reports on budgetary matters, including statements of programme budget implications of new activities, as well as revised or supplementary programme budget proposals; (c) Continuing the facilitation of deliberations and decision-making on planning and budgetary issues by the General Assembly and its relevant subsidiary organs through the provision of substantive services on programme and budgetary issues; (d) Enhancing control reporting systems and procedures relating to the implementation of programme budgets and extrabudgetary funds to ensure the economical and proper use of resources; (e) Improving services to clients, both within and outside the Secretariat, by leveraging technology to simplify administrative processes and through continued emphasis on the development of the staff s substantive, technical and managerial skills; (f) Continuing the monitoring of compliance by offices in receipt of specific delegations of authority in budgetary matters; (g) Improving current procedures for the administration of extrabudgetary funds, including further improving the timeliness of responses to client departments and offices 5