Associate Finance & Budget Officer, Kinshasa

General

Description of assignment title

Associate Finance & Budget Officer

Assignment country

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Duty stations

Kinshasa

Work location

On UN premises

Expected start date

01/01/2027

Expected end date

06/30/2027

Sustainable Development Goal

16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Host entity

MONUSCO

Modality

Onsite

Type

International

Volunteer category

Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule

Full-time

Number of Assignments

1

Details

Mission and objectives

MONUSCO/MONUC was established in 1999 under the auspices of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). SCR 2277 (2016) requests MONUSCO to support efforts of the Government of DRC towards the protection of civilians, through a comprehensive approach involving all components of MONUSCO, including through reduction of the threat posed by Congolese and foreign armed groups and of violence against civilians, including sexual and gender-based violence and violence against children to a level that can be effectively managed by the Congolese justice and security institutions; and to support Stabilization through the establishment of functional, professional, and accountable state institutions, including security and judicial institutions. The project aims at a better understanding of the most serious violations of human rights law and international humanitarian law in DRC and supports the leadership of the Mission through informed policy and decision making on future vetting of security forces through risk assessment and mitigation, joint planning for MONUSCO operations, as well as advocacy efforts.

Context

The Associate finance and Budget Officer will be part of the finance and budget section under the operations and resources management.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Finance and Budget Officer, the UN Volunteer will:

• Support in the formulation, implementation, monitoring, and review of programme and project budgets in accordance with United Nations financial regulations, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Support the preparation of resource requirements, cost estimates, staffing justifications, annual work plans, budget revisions, and financial forecasts.
• Monitor budget implementation, commitments, obligations, expenditures, and allotment utilization, and contribute to the analysis and reporting of budget variances.
• Prepare budget performance reports, expenditure analyses, financial status reports.
• Compile, verify, and analyse financial data from UMOJA systems to support decision-making and reporting requirements.
• Process and review financial transactions and supporting documentation, including payment requests, travel claims, vendor invoices, and other financial records, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Support follow-up actions to clear outstanding balances and financial discrepancies.
• Assist in the planning, coordination, and organization of meetings, briefings, and presentations related to budget and financial management, including resource stewardship and group .
• Perform other related finance and budget functions as required.

Eligibility criteria

Age

18 - 80

Required experience

3 years

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

3 years

Languages

• French, Level: Fluent, Required
• English, Level: Working knowledge, Required

Required education level

Bachelor's degree in Finance and Budget.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Client orientation
• Technological awareness
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Skills and experience

Minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible experience in finance, budgeting, accounting, financial management, or related areas.

Experience working with international organizations, the United Nations system, public sector institutions, or donor-funded projects is an asset.

• Demonstrated knowledge of financial management, budgeting principles, and accounting standards.
• Proficiency in ERP systems, particularly UN Umoja (SAP-based ERP), including budget, finance, and reporting modules.
• Knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and their application in financial reporting and accounting processes.
• Strong skills in financial data analysis, budget monitoring, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications, including the use of financial models, pivot tables, dashboards, and reporting tools.
• Experience in preparing financial reports, budget performance reports is desirable
• Knowledge of United Nations Financial Regulations and Rules (UNFRR) and administrative procedures is desirable.

Area(s) of expertise

Administration, Finance, accounting, Emergency preparedness, crisis response

Driving license

Light Vehicle (LV) Required

Other information

Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.

Living conditions and remarks

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest country in Africa, and as a result is quite diverse.

Living conditions therefore vary between MONUSCO duty stations, with all usual amenities present in the capital Kinshasa, but only very basic conditions in remote duty stations in the provinces, where, for instance, there may be no guarantee of public power supply nor running water. The ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential.

Accommodation is very expensive in both Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. Supermarkets exist in the large towns (e.g. Bukavu, Kisangani), but consumer items are generally very expensive (as everything is imported). For food, local markets offer a much cheaper alternative.

All MONUSCO duty stations are considered non-family duty stations, except for Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Entebbe which are now considered family duty stations, and most are currently under UN Security Phase III (“relocation phase”: internationally-recruited staff are temporarily concentrated or relocated to specified sites/locations). In addition to insecurity related to the relatively volatile political situation as well as various conflict situations, certain places are subject to increasing street and residential crime, including in Kinshasa and Goma.

Some degree of medical service is provided in all MONUSCO duty stations. Certain vaccinations are mandatory for MONUSCO personnel to enter the DRC, while others are compulsory for all other incoming persons. It is possible for incoming MONUSCO personnel, including UN Volunteers, to be asked to provide proof of some or all vaccinations, though this is unlikely. All UN Volunteers must ensure that they are up-to-date with all appropriate vaccinations, which should be clearly and properly endorsed in the International Certificate of Vaccination (“carte jaune”). Malaria is present virtually throughout the DRC, and it is therefore recommended to take prophylaxis.

The unit of currency is the Congolese Franc. The US dollar is the other preferred currency. It may be impossible to exchange traveller’s checks away from the capital city. Credit cards are usually accepted in major hotels only in Kinshasa. In larger towns and cities (e.g. Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu, Kisangani), UN Volunteers are recommended to open US Dollar bank accounts, while in other places, banks may be absent (including ATMs) and VLA payments will be processed in cash. UN Volunteers have the possibility to send part of their allowances to a bank account abroad.

In addition to French, there are four major spoken languages in DRC, namely Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba and Swahili.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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