United Nations Institute for Training and Research is looking for a Finance and Budget Officer - P3

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Vacancy type: Fixed-term regular staff

Duration of the contract: 1 year (renewable)

Deadline for submission of applications: 14 August 2026

Organizational Unit: Finance and Budget Section

Number of job positions: 1

Accountabilities

With delegated authority from the Executive Director and under the supervision of the Chief, Finance and Budget Section, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Budget Management

Assist the Chief of Finance and Budget Section, in the implementation of the Institute’s budgetary functions to ensure the effective management of financial resources and the successful delivery of UNITAR’s programmes and activities, by:

• Preparing and maintaining the budget tool used for the formulation of the initial and revised biennium budgets.
• Supporting the Chief of Section in the timely preparation, consolidation, and submission of the Institute’s biennium budget.
• Reviewing budget proposals and providing recommendations for budget finalization, including the analysis of variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
• Administering and monitoring General Fund resources, cost plans, and cost recovery mechanisms, while ensuring compliance with the full cost recovery policy, the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules, and established policies and procedures.
• Providing information on budget balances, commitments, expenditures, and unliquidated obligations to support effective financial management and decision-making.
• Preparing regular management reports and variance analyses for the Chief of Section to support financial planning, monitoring, and fund utilization decisions.
• Providing ongoing advice and guidance to programme staff on budget availability, future obligations, expenditure management, and the financial implications of operational decisions.

2. Revenue and Expenditure Management

Support the Chief of Finance and Budget Section, in ensuring compliance with the IPSAS accounting standards and the UN Financial Regulations and Rules, by:

• Developing and maintaining forecasting mechanisms to support expenditure projections and cash planning for the Institute.
• Monitoring actual expenditures against the General Fund budget, ensuring that spending remains within authorized limits and reporting variances for appropriate corrective action.
• Monitoring grant agreements, ensuring the accurate recording of revenue in accordance with agreement terms, and reviewing and approving related accounts receivable transactions.
• Monitoring cash balances, budget utilization, and allocation balances, and advising managers on corrective actions where necessary to ensure sound financial management.
• Backstopping the Chief of Section in the review of grants-in and grants-out agreements to ensure compliance with financial policies, regulations, and reporting requirements.

3. Account Analysis and Monitoring

Ensure the Integrity of financial systems and the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of financial information by:

• Reviewing and reconciling accounts on a timely and periodic basis to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of transactions recorded across the various financial modules of the ERP system.
• Assisting the Chief of Section in the preparation of management accounts and financial analyses to support performance monitoring and provide financial advice to Programmes and Senior Management.
• Assisting the Chief of Section in reviewing financial reports from various sources, identifying irregularities, discrepancies, and problem transactions, and ensuring their timely resolution.
• Assisting the Chief of Section in ensuring that accounting, reporting, and internal control systems operate effectively and that all relevant financial records are accurately maintained.
• Providing support to the Chief of Section by responding to queries, troubleshooting, and recommending appropriate solutions to financial and accounting issues.
• Researching and analyzing financial and operational information required to respond to management inquiries, programmes requests, donor queries, and audit observations and recommendations.

4. Financial Reporting

Support the Chief of the Finance and Budget Section in the preparation and delivery of timely and accurate financial reports to stakeholders by:

• Preparing and reviewing financial reports for donors on the utilization of funds, ensuring accuracy and compliance with donor requirements and agreements.
• Participating in the monthly and year-end closing of accounts, including contributions to the preparation of UNITAR’s IPSAS-compliant corporate financial statements.
• Assisting the Chief of Section in analyzing financial data and providing account information required for the preparation of financial statements and management reports.
• Coordinating with Programme Managers on fund utilization and project balances, and preparing financial reports for donors in accordance with agreed reporting requirement.

5. Transactional Support and Process Improvement

Support the implementation of programmes by exercising delegated authority for the review, processing, and approval of financial transactions by:

• Ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial transactions processed in accordance with the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules, and maintaining accurate records of financial entries and supporting documentation.
• Working closely with team members and other colleagues within the Section to ensure the accurate and timely processing of payments in an efficient manner and in compliance with established procedures.
• Serving as a contact point for staff members across UNITAR, UN agencies, and external counterparts by providing advice and guidance to facilitate the processing of financial transactions.
• Recommending and implementing improvements to financial transactional processes to enhance standardization, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• Managing process improvement and digital development initiatives in line with the Finance and Budget Section’s work plan.

6. General

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief of Section and the nature of the job.

Competencies

Professionalism – Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of finance, accounting, budgeting, and financial management principles, including the application of IPSAS, the United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules, and related policies and procedures. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning & Organizing – Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments with minimal supervision; 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. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Client orientation – Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the client’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Accountability – Takes ownership of responsibilities and consistently delivers high-quality outputs within prescribed timelines and resource constraints. Ensures compliance with financial regulations, policies, and internal controls, while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and accountability. Provides effective oversight of delegated assignments, supports staff in achieving expected results, and assumes responsibility for the performance of the work unit. Acknowledges mistakes, takes corrective action promptly, and promotes a culture of transparency, responsibility, and continuous improvement.

Technological awareness – Keeps abreast of technological developments relevant to finance, budget, and administrative functions. Understands the applicability and limitations of technology and actively seeks opportunities to enhance business processes through automation, data analytics, and digital solutions. Demonstrates openness to innovation, readily adapts to new systems and tools, and continuously develops skills to leverage emerging technologies effectively.

Minimum requirements

Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in finance, accounting, business administration, public administration, or a related field from a recognized institution is required. Professional certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent professional accounting qualification is desirable.

Experience: At least five years of progressively responsible experience in finance, accounting, and budget management is required. Demonstrated knowledge of the UN Financial Regulations and Rules and experience applying International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) are required. Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, such as Oracle, SAP, or similar platforms, is required. Advanced proficiency in MS Office applications, particularly Excel, and good computer literacy skills are required. Experience in data analytics is desirable.

Language: Fluency in English is required; knowledge of French is 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 the applicants from the under-represented regions at UNITAR. There will be a probation period of 12 months.

UNITAR staff members are subject to the authority of the UNITAR Executive Director and their appointments are limited to service with the Institute.

Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. UNITAR is a non-smoking environment.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable Staff Regulations and Rules and UNITAR administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

No Fee

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

How to apply

Please submit your application, along with a motivation letter, as soon as possible after the vacancy is posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.

Due to the high number of expected applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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