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Residential location (if applicable)
Grade
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
Reason
Regular > Regular AssignmentTarget Start Date
Standard Job Description
Senior Budget Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Budget Officer provides substantive resource management guidance to the Senior Management in its geographic area of responsibility. Under the direct supervision of the Regional Controller, and in coordination with DFAM's Programme Budget Service, the incumbent is responsible for guiding, monitoring, advising on, and supporting budget management.
With the objective of constantly improving UNHCR budget management and cost-efficiency in all areas, the incumbent establishes and maintains effective budget management mechanisms to ensure compliance with UN financial regulations and UNHCR's rules, policies and procedures including, and not limited to, accuracy in postings and use of chartfield combinations, up-to-date OL and AOL figures, assessment of budget submissions, and checking/validation of submissions for position changes and requests for Temporary Assistance.
The incumbent may have frequent contacts with UNHCR offices and counterparts in other organizations. He/she supports the work of the Regional Controller with authority to discuss problems and seek common ground on which to recommend solutions based on predetermined guidelines provided by higher authority.
The incumbent may directly supervise professional and general service staff.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
- Develop and maintain in-depth understanding of the geographical area of responsibility to facilitate the analysis of budget management and budget submissions.
- Analyse budget and resource management and devise innovative practical ways to improve the efficient use of resources by maximizing opportunities and developing and monitoring context-specific KPIs and benchmarks to complement corporate-level indicators.
- Provide advice on budget management throughout the programme cycle following-up as required to ensure best practices are observed, resources are used in a cost-effective manner and that adequate controls are in place, anticipating, preventing and proposing solutions to problems and issues that arise.
- Coordinate with Regional Controller or the Office of the Controller, as applicable, regarding the interpretation of policies and procedures and provide advice on their practical application.
- Coordinate the planning for financial requirements, providing useful analysis of past year trends and future projections, in relation to the strategic directions and planned activities, reviewing and ensuring the quality, coherence, consistency and completeness of budget submissions for the initial allocation and subsequent reallocations of resources during the programme year, so that the use of available resources is prioritised and optimised.
- Disseminate Budget Committee decisions and ensure timely and accurate implementation of decisions.
- Undertake, throughout the entire budget cycle, financial monitoring and analysis of all financial operations as well as analysis of progress towards financial objectives, ensuring consistency with approved budget, strategy and organizational guidelines and proposing corrective action if necessary.
- Support and monitor the management of grants from donors, including the appropriate financial reporting considering earmarking limitations.
- Contribute with analysis, documentation, or any other relevant input the preparation of notes and answer to audit queries; ensure the implementation of budget-related audit recommendations.
- Assist data quality processes to ensure accurate and meaningful reporting.
- Participate in the recruitment of local budget-related personnel.
- Check budget impact of position change requests (creations, discontinuations, upgrades).
- Check funding source of requests for Temporary Assistance (sufficient ABOD or vacant position).
- Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4/NOD - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Business Administration; Economics; Management;
or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
At least 5 years in total should be in an international capacity directly relevant to the current position that should include exposure to field operations at hardship duty stations. Excellent knowledge and experience in budget management, including position budget management, budget allocation and planning and budgeting in an International organisation, preferably within the UN system. Excellent computer skills and working knowledge of MS Office software Highly developed drafting skills.
Desirable
Exposure to UNHCR or humanitarian field operations. Working knowledge of PeopleSoft ERP, and RBM Software - Focus. Exposure to UNHCR specific learning/training activities (i.e. UNHCR Management Learning Programme).
Functional Skills
BU-Budgeting
BU-UN/UNHCR Budgetary cycle
MG-Resource Management
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
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Operational context
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
The Division of Resource Management (DRM) safeguards and manages UNHCR’s financial resources, ensuring robust management of resources, compliance, transparency, and cost-effectiveness. DRM oversees resource allocation, budgeting, financial reporting, treasury management, external audit coordination, and compliance with financial regulations, rules, and internal controls. DRM also manages corporate activities delivering key services to operations, including fleet, travel, facilities, and the solarization of offices to be accounted for in a special fund, the Self-Financing Activities (SFA) Fund.
The Management Advisory team, situated within the Office of the Controller and Director of the Division, plays a central advisory role in guiding the Division’s strategic and operational direction.
As the retained Resource Management Unit (RMU) capacity, the team acts as a trusted advisor to the Controller and Division Director, providing high-level strategic guidance and delivering targeted support on complex planning, management, and organizational matters.
In addition to its advisory function, the team plays a key role in facilitating coordination across the various sections and units of the Division, ensuring that strategic planning, resource allocation, and operational priorities are coherent, aligned, and mutually reinforcing.
Its core mandate is to ensure that the Division’s resource management and planning processes are robust, forward-looking, and aligned with organizational priorities, while fostering collaboration and integration across DRM’s diverse functional areas. Through this dual role—advisory and integrative—the team contributes to informed decision-making, enhanced efficiency, and stronger organizational impact.
The team guides the preparation of the Division’s programme budget, encompassing staff, administrative, and operational components. It is responsible for identifying both financial and human resource requirements, guiding the allocation of available resources, and ensuring that activities are prioritized and implemented with maximum efficiency and effectiveness. In addition to its internal planning and coordination functions, the team serves as a key advisory body to DRM’s senior management, offering authoritative guidance on financial management, budgeting, human resources, procurement, compliance, and general administration. It also manages strategic relationships with internal counterparts such as the newly established HQ Support Service (HQSS) and Global Shares Service (GSS), the Division of People Management (DPM), the Division of Emergency and Programme Support (DEPS), and the Division of External Relations (DER) ensuring coherence and alignment across administrative functions.
Within this framework, the Senior Budget Officer leads the team, reporting directly to the CFO and Controller and Division Director.
Since DRM encompasses corporate financial management activities including budget and financial planning to financial accounting and reporting, the Senior Budget Officer plays a pivotal role in ensuring integration and coordination across these functions. As a management accountant with deep expertise in strategic corporate financial management, the Senior Budget Officer strengthens strategic decision-making by bridging planning and accounting processes and providing DRM senior management with critical insights that align financial operations with organizational goals.
The role requires a robust foundation in financial and accounting principles, with proven expertise in budgeting and planning, financial reporting, and strategic resource management. A deep knowledge of UN Financial, Administrative, and Staff Regulations, Rules, and Procedures, as the incumbent is expected to implement and maintain effective administrative and resource control mechanisms as well as to advise DRM senior management.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
BU-Budgeting, BU-UN/UNHCR Budgetary cycle, MG-Resource ManagementEducation
Certifications
Work Experience
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awarenessUNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Additional Information
Functional clearance