Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Programme Planning and Budget Division. The Director reports to the Assistant Secretary-General, Controller. In line with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, PPBD is responsible for formulating plans and forecasting the resource requirements in line with the legislative intent, and developing and implementing policies, procedures and methodologies related to the programme budget. This includes preparing and presenting plan outlines, budgets, performance reports and other reports containing cost-estimates to legislative bodies and providing guidance on budgetary matters. PPBD facilitates decision-making on planning and budgetary issues by supporting the General Assembly and its subsidiary organs with substantive services. PPBD’s focus is on estimating in an accurate and timely manner the activities and related resources required to implement mandates, by providing support to a very diverse pool of clients and stakeholders, optimizing processes and leveraging technology for continuous improvement. PPBD encourages staff to develop new skills and to join change initiatives.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Director will be responsible for the following duties:

Directs and manages the programme of the Programme Planning and Budget Division.
Contributes to the formulation of the department’s overall strategies and policies by participating in various committees, preparing documents on policy issues, and acting, as required, in an advisory capacity to the USG/ASG; contribute to the overall management of the Department’s activities and operations.
Develops and implements policies, procedures and methodology and provides strategic guidance and support to regular budget funded entities consistent with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and the Regulations and Rules Governing Programme Planning, the Programme Aspect of the Budget, the Monitoring of Implementation and the Methods of Evaluation, on matters related to the programme plan, programme budget, financial stewardship and extrabudgetary resources.
Provides strategic guidance to all Secretariat entities through the preparation of the triennial plan outline and with respect to results-based management. Contributes to reinforcing a culture of results-based management across all entities and funding sources and to a harmonization of results frameworks.
Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Division under his/her supervision, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Division, ensuring that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas both within the Division and Department, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors and agencies as appropriate.
Monitors the liquidity situation of the regular budget.
Coordinates and oversees the preparation of the Secretary-General's programme budgets, performance reports and other reports on programme planning and budgetary matters, including statements of programme budget implications of new activities, as well as revised or supplementary programme budget proposals, including unforeseen and extraordinary expenses for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, the Committee for Programme and Coordination, the Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate.
Represents and assists the Assistant Secretary-General, Controller, in legislative bodies on the process of reviewing policy, plan outline, programme plans, budgetary estimates, budget implementation and similar issues to the financing of regular budget funded entities as may be directed. Leads the engagement with Member States representatives on matters related to the programme budget.
Oversees the formulation of enhancement requirements for the Umoja module that includes the budget formulation and control system and related reporting capacity, and for improving access to data analytics products for all relevant stakeholders.
Oversees the recruitment of staff for Division taking due account of geographical and gender balance and other institutional values.
Perform other related duties as requested by the senior management of the Organization.
Provide strategic leadership in the planning, implementation, and oversight of programme planning and budgeting activities, ensuring full alignment with organizational mandates, legislative directives, and results-based management principles.
Drive innovation and continuous improvement in programme planning, budgeting, and performance management frameworks, including the modernization of policies, processes, tools, and data products to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
Serve as a principal advisor to senior leadership on budgetary policy, resource allocation, and emerging trends in financial management, including enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and data analytics, to support evidence-based decision-making.

Competencies

Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to provide strategic guidance and oversight in the area of results-based budgeting and management. Demonstrates skills and ability to identify issues including political sensitivities, formulate options, draw conclusions and recommend solutions. Shows ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Shows ability to apply UN regulations, rules, policies 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. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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. Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. Judgement/Decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, law, economics, social sciences or related area is required. A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

Over fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in financial management and budgeting is required. At least five years of senior management experience including technical leadership, in programme and project management and budgeting are required. Experience in leading the presentation of proposals to legislative or governing bodies in the United Nations or other inter-governmental organization is required. Experience with working in or supporting field operations in the United Nations or agencies, funds and programmes is desirable. Experience with leading improvements in budgetary and financial processes and applications and data products is desirable. Experience in managing finance or budgeting teams in the United Nations or other inter-governmental organization or public sector entity is desirable.

Languages

Language	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
English	UN Level II	UN Level II	UN Level II	UN Level II

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available until 31 October 2026. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary job opening 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. At the United Nations, 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. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. The United Nations 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. Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter.

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.

Director, Programme Planning & Budget Division (Temporary Job Opening)