Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is based in the Office of Administrative Services (OAS) of the International Seabed Authority in Kingston, Jamaica. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an international organization established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The ISA is the organization through which States Parties to UNCLOS shall, in accordance with the regime for the seabed and ocean floor and subsoil thereof beyond the limits of national jurisdiction (the Area) established in Part XI and the 1994 Agreement, organize and control activities in the Area, particularly with a view to administering the resources of the Area.

Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Secretary General/Chef de Cabinet and the direct supervision of the Chief, Office of Administrative Services and within delegated authority, the Budget and Oversight Officer will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Advises and supports the senior management and in the overall financial management of ISA including stewardship of budgetary resources and financial transactions and performance. 2. Coordinates and where necessary leads the budget development programme, providing coordination with respect to the establishment of major resourcing priorities, preparation of comprehensive budget submissions and performance reports, application of results-based budgeting principles and analysis of the costs and benefits of major new proposals. 3. Provide guidance to managers on best financial management practices: budgeting standards, costing methodologies, resource projections, variance analysis, cost recovery and performance reporting. 4. The Internal Oversight Officer is responsible for conducting independent evaluations to ensure compliance with organizational policies, procedures, rules and regulations. Contribute to developing risk assessment frameworks if/when applicable and provide recommendations for improving internal controls and governance practices. Additionally, to foster an environment of efficiency and performance in the utilization of Authority resources and assets. 5. Ensure ISA’s financial management compliance with the financial rules and regulations, budget policies 6. Provide oversight for the financial management, financial projections and funding of programmatic activities, and engage with relevant donors on the timely review of the agreements with regard to the project performance. 7. Provide oversight for Property Management which includes oversight of Property Control Inventory (PCI), Receiving & Inspection (R&I) and Disposal (Write-Off). 8. Continuously monitor budget implementation, cost drivers, financial projections and prepare comparative and variance analysis on programmatic, substantive, administrative and year on year budget performances. 9. Analyse department budget submissions, evaluate the soundness of justifications and prepare the consolidated budget and performance reports for ISA on both regular and voluntary funds. 10. Prepare supplementary and other analytical information that allow managers to effectively justify ISA’s budget and performance reports to ISA governing bodies. • 10. As Secretary of the ISA Finance Committee, an organ of the Authority responsible for deliberating all financial and budgetary matters, the incumbent will organize meetings and prepare documents for presenting the budget and its performance. Additionally, will provide reports on trust fund balances and other related financial and budgetary items according to predetermined agendas 11. Analyse and present financial implications on business scenarios and resolutions of ISA governing bodies. 12. Perform soundness and compliance based reviews on voluntary income contribution agreements and other contractual agreements. Render improvement advice to ISA on related processes and clauses. 13. Enhance budget and financial management systems and processes, with the clear aim on improving the effectiveness, efficiency of programme delivery. Pay particular attention to donor management and reporting, cost recoveries. 14. Perform treasury functions related to receipt of member states assessed and voluntary contributions, other voluntary contributions, and presentation of reports to member states. 15. Develop and implement procedures ensuring that accounting and financial management controls are consistent with ISA policy and practice within IPSAS frameworks. 16. Manage the internal audit program and acting as the designated alternate focal point for the external audit. 17. Manages the staff of the Unit in prioritising, planning and assigning responsibilities, developing and maintaining needed expertise and knowledge, and identifying opportunities for improvement. 18. Participate as required in various ISA administrative bodies, i.e. Contracts Committee, Property Survey Board and Appointment and Promotion Board. Acts as Certifying Officer or Approving Officer as delegated. 19. Performs other duties as required by the Secretary-General.

Competencies

Professionalism: Sound knowledge of planning, coordination and delivery of client services in an international and multicultural context. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. In-depth knowledge of and ability to apply relevant UN/ISA administrative rules, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines in work situations. 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. Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies, vision, and programmes. Identifies priority activities and assignments and 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. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision- making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, finance, accounting or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in related fields in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

A professional accounting qualification from an internationally recognized accounting body such as Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Association of Chartered Accountants (ACA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), with qualifying seven (9) years practicing experience is required.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years (7) of progressively responsible professional experience in financial management within business administration, public administration, finance and accounting, financial project management or related area is required. • Several years of experience in budget development and financial administration of resources at the international level is required. • Experience in the application of Results-Based Management or similar performance management methodologies is required. • Management level experience in running team(s) of staff working on multiple financial engagements and budgets is required. • Experience in the use of automated budgeting, costing and financial modelling is required. • Work experience with large international level dynamic trust funds, technical assistance projects and voluntary contributions management is desirable. • Experience in working with inter-governmental bodies is desirable. • Experience in the use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems is desirable.

Languages

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available for 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the International Seabed Authority, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates," who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. • Only candidates from ISA Member States are eligible for consideration. • The International Seabed Authority Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. • At the International Seabed Authority, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity.

United Nations 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, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, 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. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. 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 internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira 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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

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