Job Description

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Under the overall authority of the Director of the Harare Regional Office, the direct supervision of the Senior Operations Officer of the Regional Office and with a functional reporting line to the ADG/ADM, the Associate National Finance and Budget Officer is responsible for providing a range of financial management and budget administration support services to the Harare Regional Office and Antennas under its coverage. On matters of financial internal control, he/she receives a delegated authority from the Chief Finance Officer as certifying officer. He/She will receive policy guidance/ instructions from the UNESCO’s Corporate Services and Programme Sector ADGs on their respective areas of responsibilities.

In the absence of the Senior Operations Officer, the Associate National Finance and Budget Officer ensures business continuity of the daily operations of the Regional Office.

Duties and Responsibilities

Long Description
Budget planning and preparation

In close coordination with the Senior Operations Officer, provide inputs for the regional office budget preparation process (C/5 documents and related workplans).
Provide support to programme/project responsible officers in elaborating resource requirements for budget submissions.
Assist programme/project responsible officers in finalizing cost estimates and budget proposals.
Review and analyse project budgets based on donor agreements, in close coordination with the Senior Operations Officer, programme/project responsible officers and donors.
Ensure donor agreement provisions are accurately translated into project budgets.
Ensure strict compliance with UNESCO’s rules, regulations, policies and procedures and accounting standards, including IPSAS.
In close coordination with the Senior Operations Officer, liaise with BFM and BSP on matters of budget planning and budget preparation and provide relevant information as requested.
Long Description
Budget monitoring

Ensure that the budget data of the Regional Office and the Antennas under its coverage is adequately and timely entered in the appropriate management systems, and that budgetary transactions are in compliance with regulations, rules, policies and procedures.
Ensure the sufficient and effective use of budgetary resources through robust monitoring of budget execution and timely provision of information to the Director of the Regional Office, the Senior Operations Officer and the programme/project responsible officers.
Monitor and analyse project budgets based on progress made in implementation and take corrective action if required, in close coordination with the Senior Operations Officer, the programme/project responsible officers and donors.
Provide substantive advice and support to programme/project responsible officers in reviewing project budgets and propose revisions or corrective actions as necessary.
Process, validate and follow up with Central Services on budget revisions.
Provide timely reporting on budget implementation to the Director of the Regional Office, the Senior Operations Officer, programme/project responsible officers and UNESCO Central Services.
Ensure that project closure actions are timely performed, in line with UNESCO’s rules, regulations, policies and procedures, and project agreements’ provisions.
Financial Management

Assist the Senior Operations Officer in ensuring that the regional office’s financial resources and expenditures are fully and properly accounted for and that internal control systems are adequate and functioning.
Act as Certifying Officer, ensuring that financial transactions are in compliance with regulations, rules, policies and procedures.
Support the Regional Office administrative team in the proper recording and monitoring of property, plant and equipment in the Regional Office’s and projects’ records and in the transfer of ownership/disposal actions in a timely manner and in line with UNESCO’s rules, regulations, policies and procedures and project agreements’ provisions.
Monitor commitments and payments, review and reconcile various clearing accounts, investigate erroneous/invalid entries and take appropriate corrective action, in line with UNESCO’s rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
Analyse complex or unusual accounting transactions and open items in the accounting system and implement corrective actions in consultation with the Senior Operations Officer as required, in line with UNESCO’s rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
Analyse and provide advice on cash flow requirements of the Regional Office and submit cash requests to UNESCO’s Central Services.
Perform monthly and yearly financial closure tasks, in close coordination with the Senior Operations Officer, the Regional Office staff and UNESCO’s Central Services.
Provide advice on financial interpretations to the Regional Office staff on UNESCO’s financial rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
Provide support to project/programme officers on donor reporting and liaise closely with Headquarters services to ensure donor reports are prepared in a timely manner in line with the terms of the funding agreements signed with donors.
Capacity development

Assist the Senior Operations Officer in providing advice, guidance and technical support on financial management, budget planning and budget preparation to strengthen capacity and expertise throughout the Regional Office and antennas under its coverage.
Contribute to raising awarness of managers within the Regional Office and antennas under its coverage on financial and budgetary principles, methodologies, rules and procedures and facilitate their training as may be required.
Share best practices and foster knowledge sharing on financial management and budget planning, preparation and monitoring within the Regional Office and antennas under its coverage.

Qualifications and Experience

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in the field of Finance or Accounting, or
Completed professionally recognized accountancy qualification equivalent ot a Master's degree, or
University degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in the field of Finance or Accounting, with an additional 2 years of relevant professional experience.
Work Experience

Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience in administration, finance, accounting or related areas.
Long Description
Skills and competencies

Demonstrated analytical and organizational skills and ability to identify issues and formulate options/recommendations.
Experience in supervising and leading teams and overseeing finance, general administration, and procurement functions.
Experience in implementing internal control systems.
Ability to analyze, interpret financial data, and monitor budgets.
Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively in a muticultural environment with tact and sensitivity to diversity.
Demonstrated experience in solving routine and non-routine Human Resources, finance, and budgeting issues.
Ability to provide quality and timely support and services.
Ability to take initiative and seek innovative ways to improve results.
Good IT skills and knowledge of ERP, financial, human resources, and administrative management tools.
Languages

Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Work experience

Experience in international organizations or United Nations agencies.