Chief of Section, Finance and Budget

About the role

The Chief of Section, Finance and Budget leads the Accounts Payable Section within the Financial Operations Service of the United Nations Common Administrative Platform. Reporting to the Chief of the Financial Operations Service, the role is based at UN Headquarters in New York and provides strategic oversight of programme planning, budgeting and finance operations.

Key responsibilities

• Plan, organise and manage the preparation and revision of the programme plan and budget submissions, ensuring compliance with legislative mandates and General Assembly approval.
• Administer and monitor budget allocations, sub‑allocations and extra‑budgetary resources, authorising payments to governments, troop‑contributing countries and other stakeholders.
• Oversee accounts payable operations, approve New York and field payments, and lead business‑process re‑engineering, automation and continuous improvement of ERP and Umoja modules.
• Provide authoritative advice on financial regulations, audit responses and compliance with UN Financial Regulations, IPSAS and internal control frameworks.
• Lead and develop a team of supervisors, manage staff work programmes and ensure high‑quality client service across headquarters and field offices.

Required profile

• Extensive knowledge of financial and budgetary principles, budget management and financial administration of resources.
• Proven analytical skills with the ability to provide technical advice on budget management to senior managers.
• Experience managing large‑scale programmes in field operations and formulating new budgeting strategies.
• Demonstrated professional competence, efficiency in meeting commitments and adherence to UN policies.

Required skills

• Expertise in ERP systems, particularly the Accounts Payable (AP) module.
• Proficiency with Umoja modules such as Supply Relationship Management (SRM), Asset Accounting (AA), General Ledger (GL), Cash Management, Treasury and Travel Management.