ASSOCIATE PROGRAMME AND BUDGET OFFICER

PRINCIPAL FUNCTIONS

Under the guidance and direction of the Senior Programme and Budget Officer and in accordance with the OPCW Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity/Gender Equality, the Associate Programme and Budget Officer performs the following duties:

• Assists with the oversight of voluntary contributions and provides holistic, cross-cutting advice to Programme Managers and programme staff on voluntary contribution issues, including funding options;
• Advises and assists Programme Managers in the formulation of project proposals, including budgets;
• Conducts funding negotiations and prepares agreements with donors, working closely with relevant external and internal stakeholders;
• Organises meetings with the responsible Programme Managers and staff to schedule and plan the implementation of projects funded by extra-budgetary contributions;
• Monitors the receipt of voluntary contributions to ensure consistency with donor agreements;
• Assures the timely and sufficient release of budgetary allotments related to voluntary contributions;
• Monitors the status of implementation of the projects and issues financial status reports to Programme Managers and senior management;
• Reports on time any deviations from the implementation plan to the Senior Programme and Budget officer and to relevant Programme Managers and donors;
• Maintains the archive for project and budget related documents covering voluntary contributions;
• Coordinates with relevant Programme Managers and staff to prepare project interim and final reports for dissemination to donors, the Director-General and senior management;
• Performs any other duties, as requested by the Senior Programme and Budget Officer.

RECRUITING PROFILE

Education (Qualifications):

• Essential: An advanced degree; or a first level university degree with qualifying experience (minimum 2 years) in Business Administration, Finance, Management, Public Administration or related area; equivalent specialised training combined with 6 years practical experience may also be considered in lieu of a first degree; Practical knowledge of the principles of programme and budget planning and management, and proven experience developing programme and extra-budgetary project plans and proposals; Knowledge of Results-Based Management (RBM) and UN financial procedures and accounting standards.
• Desirable: Knowledge of internal control frameworks.

Experience:

• Essential: Progressively responsible experience in the fields of project management, budget preparation and financial administration in a national and/or international environment. Experience in programme and project planning, notably related to extra-budgetary resource management;
• Desirable: Experience in the use of computerised accounting and ERP systems would be an advantage; Work experience in the UN Common System and familiarity with IPSAS principles would be an asset.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to draft project proposal and programme plans;
• Analytical and conceptual skills and a proven ability to interpret budgetary data and information within the context of a results-based management approach;
• Proven planning, organisational, coordination, negotiation and problem-solving skills;
• Inter-personal and communication skills with demonstrated ability to apply tact and accuracy and to present information clearly and logically both in writing and verbally;
• Ability to develop and implement policies and procedures related to extra-budgetary resources;
• Proven information technology skills, including proficiency in Microsoft desktop packages, notably Excel;
• Ability to ensure effective productivity and achieve goals; ability to coordinate the work of others, work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent activities;
• Ability to work in a team and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English is essential and a good working knowledge of one of the other official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is desirable.