Finance and Budget Officer (P3)

Vacancy announcement – Geneva, Switzerland – S/P/2026/007

Deadline for submission of applications: 14 August 2026

Vacancy type: Fixed‑term regular staff – Duration: 1 year (renewable)

Responsibilities

• Budget Management
  • Assist the Chief of Finance and Budget Section in implementing the Institute’s budgetary functions.
  • Prepare and maintain the budget tool for initial and revised biennium budgets.
  • Support timely preparation, consolidation, and submission of the Institute’s biennium budget.
  • Review budget proposals, provide recommendations for finalization, and analyze variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
  • Administer and monitor General Fund resources, cost plans and recovery mechanisms, ensuring compliance with the full cost recovery policy, UN Financial Regulations and Rules, and established policies.
  • Provide information on budget balances, commitments, expenditures, and unliquidated obligations to support effective financial management and decision‑making.
  • Prepare regular management reports and variance analyses for the Chief of Section.
  • Advise programme staff on budget availability, future obligations, expenditure management, and the financial implications of operational decisions.
• Revenue and Expenditure Management
  • Support compliance with IPSAS accounting standards and UN Financial Regulations and Rules.
  • Develop and maintain forecasting mechanisms for expenditure projections and cash planning.
  • Monitor actual expenditures against the General Fund budget and report variances for corrective action.
  • Monitor grant agreements, accurate revenue recording, and review/approve related accounts receivable transactions.
  • Monitor cash balances, budget utilisation and allocation balances; advise managers on corrective actions.
  • Back‑stop review of grants‑in and grants‑out agreements to ensure compliance with financial policies, regulations and reporting requirements.
• Account Analysis and Monitoring
  • Review and reconcile accounts periodically to ensure accuracy, completeness and integrity of ERP system transactions.
  • Assist in preparation of management accounts and financial analyses to support performance monitoring and provide financial advice to Programmes and Senior Management.
  • Identify irregularities, discrepancies and problem transactions; ensure timely resolution.
  • Ensure accounting, reporting and internal control systems operate effectively and records are accurately maintained.
  • Provide support by responding to queries, troubleshooting, and recommending appropriate solutions.
  • Research and analyze financial and operational information required for responses to management inquiries, programme requests, donor queries and audit observations.
• Financial Reporting
  • Prepare and review financial reports for donors on utilisation of funds, ensuring accuracy and compliance with donor requirements.
  • Participate in monthly and year‑end closing of accounts and contribute to preparation of UNITAR’s IPSAS‑compliant corporate financial statements.
  • Analyse financial data and provide account information required for financial statements and management reports.
  • Coordinate with Programme Managers on fund utilisation and project balances, and prepare financial reports for donors.
• Transactional Support and Process Improvement
  • Review, process and approve financial transactions in accordance with UN Financial Regulations and Rules; maintain accurate records of entries and supporting documentation.
  • Ensure timely processing of payments in an efficient manner and in compliance with established procedures.
  • Serve as a contact point for staff, UN agencies and external counterparts to facilitate transaction processing.
  • Recommend and implement improvements to financial transactional processes to enhance standardisation, efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Manage process improvement and digital development initiatives in line with the Finance and Budget Section’s work plan.
• General
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief of Section.

Competencies

• Professionalism – mastery of finance, accounting, budgeting and financial management principles including IPSAS and UN Financial Regulations.
• Planning knowledge of French desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Special Notice

• UNITAR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Qualified women, individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
• English and French are the two working languages of UNITAR. Priority will be given to applicants from under‑represented regions at UNITAR.
• There will be a probation period of 12 months.

No Fee

• UNITAR DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW, PROCESSING OR TRAINING).
• UNITAR DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.