Budget and Finance Manager (P-4), FT, PG Programme Operations Hub (POH), New York HQ # 00042115

The incumbent will be responsible/or collecting and analysing in/ormation on grants expenditure, preparation of reports on the status of budget-related indicators for the PDMT and other governance groups and analytical reports for office periodic planning and review (MTR, Annual Review, PBR).

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 better life,

Programme Operations Hub (POH) is led by the Chief Strategic Operations, enabling the Programme Group to realize greater management excellence through UNICEF’s strategic operations approach. In line with the UNICEF organizational improvements initiatives that envisage strategic repositioning of the Operations function the POH employs sound management practices to ensure the optimal use of Programme Group resources; enhanced Programme Team performance with strengthened risk management; innovative use of organizational systems and structures to centralize and optimize business processes; and strengthened the PG engagement in risk-informed partner relationships that bring value for money to the programme function.

The POH provides common services to 7 Programme Teams, Polio and GenU teams including advisory and technical services, budget/finance, and administration. The scope of POH includes centralization of locally dependent transactions within PG to simplify programme related business processes, lighten transactional and bureaucratic workloads and increase efficiencies.

How can you make a difference?

As the manager and functional expert of Finance and Budget related services, the incumbent is responsible for oversight of Programme Group’s Financial accounts and Budget envelopes. The incumbent will ensure that the Programme Group’s administrative operations and services follow the organization’s administrative policy, procedures, rules, and regulations. The incumbent will be responsible for monitoring and reporting on PG’s budget of more than $100 Million per annum, carrying out financial and internal control reviews, performing oversight functions such as adequate segregation of duties and responsibilities, reviewing compliance with ToA implementation by staff with financial responsibilities, drafting revision of ToA and regularly reconciling ToA/Vision. The incumbent will be responsible for collecting and analysing information on grants expenditure, preparation of reports on the status of budget-related indicators for the Directors. The Incumbent is also responsible to undertake ad hoc analysis on financial, operational and budget related matters. The incumbent serves as a focal person for PG’s financial and Budget related queries, providing guidance and support to all Programme Teams. The incumbent is responsible for coordination of operational services at outposted locations, serves as the focal person for funding requests from host offices. The incumbent will effectively and regularly participate in PG’s statutory committees and will actively contribute to HACT implementation including DCT payments processing.

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

Policy, procedures, and strategies

• As technical manager, accountable for the correct and consistent application of policies and procedures in the management of administrative functions through the provision of technical leadership, guidance, and support to programme group in NYHQ and other locations where applicable.
• Contributes to Programme Group’s strategic planning and policy changes/formulation on administrative matters as necessary.
• Provides technical input to the establishment of administrative guidelines in close coordination with the Chief Strategic Operations and Director Pogramme Group, and DFAM as needed.
• Advises the Chief Strategic Operations and staff on administrative policies, procedures, rules and regulations, providing authoritative advice and administrative support.
• Decides on the appropriate application and interpretation of administrative rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Makes substantive recommendations on the improvement of systems and internal controls, planning, restructuring, and resolution of sensitive issues considering the prevailing conditions in the NYHQ and other locations.
• Keeps the supervisor abreast of potential problem areas and identifies and recommends solutions.

The budget preparation and implementation are properly administered, monitored and controlled in the area of administrative &ICT management and services.

• Manages the office budget in close coordination with the Director to ensure that objectives stipulated early in the fiscal year are realized for smooth operations of the Division/other locations, where applicable.
• Recommends and prepares estimates on office premises, supplies and equipment requirements for budget preparation purposes.
• Assists other locations offices in the establishment and maintenance of administrative services.
• Prepares, monitors, and controls the administrative budget, submits exceptional approval requests and vacancy saving requests, working in close cooperation with teams.
• Provides support and guidance to the office on Strategic Plan preparation, PBR submissions and follow up.
• Coordinates with planning focal persons and budget focal persons in each team to ensure proper planning and management of post costs.
• Keeps track of Programme Team Budget envelopes and changes there to, advises management on funds available for distribution to teams
• Serves as the focal person for coordination of operational services at outposted locations and for funding requests from host offices.

Enhance Risk Management to increase organizational performance and strengthen internal control.

• Support the Strategic Chief of Operations with up-to-date information to make operational and programmatic risk informed decisions and improve performance, with the support of the enterprise Governance, Risk and Compliance (eGRC) platform.
• Update and participate in testing of business continuity plans to ensure UNICEF organizational resilience to disaster and risks and staff safety and security as well as Emergency Preparedness and Response to humanitarian situations.
• Review internal controls and policies/guidance included in the Regulatory Framework, provide oversight of appropriate implementation of policies and procedures and provide feedback on policy and internal controls as appropriate.
• Support implementation mandatory anti-fraud systems, processes and actions, and share anti-fraud achievements within the office.
• Facilitate mitigation of risks of engagement with external partners via appropriate, risk-informed due diligence.

Strengthening internal and external-facing partnerships and leveraging UNICEF’s oversight and understanding of financial management across all areas of the Programme Group.

• Provide technical support and recommendations on HACT implementation, including, advice approach to undertaking spot checks, follow-up actions required on result of financial assurance activities and use of micro-assessment results including the appropriate level of capacity building in financial management.
• Works collaboratively with the budget unit in DFAM, Central Services Center (CSC), Supply and contracting center, GSSC and other service providers towards a smooth budget and financial transaction processing
• Support Programme Group resource mobilization partners from donor negotiation and formulation of partnership agreements and contracts through written financial reporting, resolve discrepancies and ensure donor accountability and transparency.
• Foster a positive and enabling operations environment that supports private sector fundraising and solution-focused engagement (where applicable).
• Continuous analysis and follow up of accounts, ensuring open items are cleared timely
• Provides support to the Chief of Strategic Operations, coordinating audit responses and implementing Audit recommendations.
• Ensures VISION roles are assigned following table of authority and mapping of roles to functions.

Knowledge and capacity building

• Promote culture of highest ethical standards and behavior in management of UNICEF’s resources.
• Contribute to initiatives for management improvement by capturing, institutionalizing and sharing best practices and lessons learned. Implement and/or recommend management improvements to enhance productivity and performance including implementation of cost saving strategies.
• Participate and/or organize training and learning events to build capacity of staff and stakeholders/partners.
• Support operations of the office as required.

The following minimum requirements:

• An Advanced University Degree (Master’s and above) in one of the following areas is required: Business management; Financial management, Accounting; Public Finance; and related operations function (Supply Chain, Human Resources, Information Technology, International Business, Project management, etc.) is desirable.
• Full professional accounting designation (CA, ACA, ACCA, CPA, CIMA, CPFA, Expert Comptable) from an internationally recognized institute/body of accountancy with valid membership in good standing is desirable.
• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience, at the national and/or international level, is required, specifically in implementing organizational initiatives in one or more operations management area including budget; financial management and reporting; facilities management; administration; supply and logistics management; information and communication technology; human resources is required.
• Prior experience in the development sector or UN system/ international NGOs would be an asset.
• Experience in a UN system agency, large private or public company, or experience working in a developing country and/or humanitarian/ emergency context is an asset.
• Experience in working with corporate ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) and IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards) is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of Results Based Management.
• Experience in supporting successful client-oriented work units is an asset.
• Additional experience in one or more of the Audit and investigations, Safety and security, grants management or Enterprise Risk Management areas, is desirable.
• Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of another UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is considered an asset.

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…

• Builds and maintains partnerships
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
• Drive to achieve results for impact
• Innovates and embraces change
• Manages ambiguity and complexity
• Thinks and acts strategically
• Works collaboratively with others

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:

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

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.

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.

This post is subject to PBR Approval.