UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, a champion

How can you make a difference?

Under the general supervision of the Chief of Operations, and as the manager and functional expert of financial management services in a large country office, the incumbent is accountable for provision of managerial leadership and policy guidance for achievement of effective financial service management. Ensures management of finance staff for cost effective, quality, and efficient financial operations in support of office country programme. Ensures that the office’s financial operations and services are in compliance with the organization’s financial policy, procedures, rules and regulations.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES and DUTIES & TASKS 

Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primarily, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results.

1.  Effective operations of financial management

Manages and ensures the effective, equitable and efficient operations of the office’s financial resources to support and facilitate the attainment of programmatic goals and objectives by meeting changing financial operational requirements. Ensures effective and efficient financial operations that promote gender sensitivity and gender parity.  Advises management on financial issues.

2. Policy interpretation and application

Acountable for the correct and consistent application of organizational policies and procedures in the management of finance functions through the provision of technical leadership and support in the area of accounting and finance to the country office.

Contributes to global and regional strategic planning and policy changes/formulation on operational matters as necessary relating to finance; Provides technical input to contribute to the establishment of financial guidelines in close coordination with the Chief of Operations.

Implements the effective communication, training, roll-out, monitoring and evaluation of new initiatives, guidelines and procedures as it relates to finance, HACT, IPSAS and Vision.

3. Fiduciary integrity/responsibility for funds and assets

Safeguards the financial resources entrusted to the office by advising on and/or managing financial assets, financial planning and cash management activities and by recommending improvements to the financial and administrative management systems and procedures.  Accountable for fiduciary integrity/responsibility for funds taking decision on all financial transactions and disbursement of funds.

Ensures efficient, cost-effective and transparent utilization of resources through knowledge and technology transfer between offices and consistency of approaches.

4.  Leadership in strategic planning and policy formulation in the area of financial operations

Plays a role in strategic financial planning and decision-making within the UNICEF Operations and provides sound professional input and oversight to the development, reform and change of financial guide-lines, systems and procedures including but not limited to the management of financial resources using remote programming approach; collaborate with implementing partners on the review and strengthening of their financial systems under the Harmonised Approach to Cash Transfers(HACT) frame-work.

Participates in effective management process by providing technical advices and supports on financial matters to corporate committees as required.

5.  CPMP

Development of the financial component of the CPMP. CPMP is timely completed; contributes to the preparation of budget and documentation.  Participates in the country programme strategy, development, planning and preview/reviews meetings to identify finance related requirements.

7.  Compliance and Internal Control

Monitors budget process.  Ensures all other financial operational reporting requirements are fully met for the office.  Monitors compliance with all operational systems and procedures and ensures integrity in all financial and other related administrative operations of the office.

In collaboration with the Chief of Operations, assists in the implementation of agreed audit recommendations as it relates to finance; advise on corrective measures to be taken and establish relevant internal controls. Develop training activities to ensure effective financial performance and efficiency.

8. Staff Learning and Development

Develops training to ensure effective financial operational performance and efficiency.  Develops and implements effective staff learning and development programme activities for both programme and operations staff on finance related matters for capacity building. Plans and conducts workshops for staff’s competency building, staff development in the areas of finance. Provides coaching and counselling to the staff on performance enhancement/development.

9.  Partnership, Coordination and Collaboration

Collaborates to ensures adherence to financial regulations and rules pertaining to Direct Cash Transfers to Government (DCTs).

Cooperates and coordinates with other UN agency counterparts in the UN reform initiatives (including HACT capacity building of IPs, finance initiatives, etc.).

Advises Chief of Operations on finance matters and provides guidance on all financial submissions of the office; briefs office staff on financial policies and procedures providing authoritative advice; provides technical guidance to staff in the country and field offices on financial issues.

Coordinates/liaises with the Chief of Operation, Regional Office or DFAM (as required) for  policy formulation in the area of finance; advises on the applicability of new financial policy directives. Makes substantive recommendations on the improvement of financial systems and internal controls, planning and restructuring and resolution of sensitive issues and problems, taking into account the prevailing conditions in the locality.

Collaborates with senior Programme Officers and country office staff providing creative problem solving in support of programming activities relating to finance while maintaining sound internal operational controls.

Represents the office in meetings with local banks and manages the office’s bank accounts and petty cash accounts.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

The following minimum requirements:

Education

Advanced university degree in accounting, financial management or economics.

Work Experience

Eight years of relevant professional work experience in accounting or financial management; Both national and international work experience in management, finance, accounting or related fields.

Language Proficiency 

Fluency in English

The following desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people.

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per 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.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.