Finance/Accounts Specialist, (NO-3), Maputo, Mozambique #8821, Fixed Term (2 years)

A challenging and exciting opportunity has arisen within UNICEF Mozambique for a passionate and committed Finance/Accounts Specialist (NO-3), Fixed Term (2 years) based in Maputo, Mozambique. The Finance/Accounts Specialist is responsible for a broad range of internal control activities, including but not limited to: Enforcing and strengthening internal controls systems and accountabilities; Fraud Risk Management Support, oversight and advisory to Management and create awareness and capacity building.

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

The Country Programme of Cooperation between the Government of Mozambique and UNICEF (CPD) for 2022-2026 aims to support Mozambique to accelerate efforts towards achieving the targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and meeting its commitment to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of children, in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action. It derives from the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), 2022–2026 and aligns with the Government Five-Year Plan 2020–2024, the National Development Strategy 2015–2035 and relevant sector policies and programmes.

For more information about UNICEF Mozambique’s work please follow this link

You can also access and explore all new UNICEF vacancies via the UNICEF Mozambique website link herein.

How can you make a difference? 

A challenging and exciting opportunity has arisen within UNICEF Mozambique for a passionate and committed Finance/Accounts Specialist (NO-3), Fixed Term (2 years) based in Maputo, Mozambique.

The Finance/Accounts Specialist is responsible for a broad range of internal control activities, including but not limited to: Enforcing and strengthening internal controls systems and accountabilities; Fraud Risk Management Support, oversight and advisory to Management and create awareness and capacity building.

The Finance/Accounts Specialist is also responsible for providing support to the Deputy Representative Operations in managing, monitoring and overseeing a range of financial management services in support of program and operational activities (i.e. financial planning, disbursements of funds and payments, treasury and accounting, financial analysis and reporting of resources), ensuring compliance of all financial operations with organizational plans, policies, procedures, guidelines, standards of performance, ethics, and integrity.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks  

A. Internal Controls and Risk Management

1. Enforcing and Strengthening internal controls and accountabilities to ensure that systems are in place to prevent, detect and report non-compliance  
2. Fraud risk Management support
3. Oversight and advisory to the Management
4. Create awareness/capacity building

    B. Financial Management

1. Support to financial planning and management
2. Control of accounts
3. Treasury and cash management
4. Knowledge and capacity building

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: JD Finance & Accounts Specialist NO3.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education – An advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in Accounting, Finance, Auditing or Business Administration or equivalent or any other comparable recognized professional qualification or valid professional certification (CA; CPA; ACCA etc.) from an internationally recognized, accredited chartered accountancy institution is required.
• Work Experience: At least 5 years of relevant work experience in financial management or audits in an international organization and/or large corporation is required. 
• Experience in financial management, particularly developing and implementing financial control systems, audits, preferably with international organizations, NGOs and UN is required.
• Skills: Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel required. 
• Language Requirements: Fluency in both English and Portuguese is required.  

Desirables:

• Audit or Investigation certifications are considered as assets.
• Experience in database packages, web-based management systems and ERP systems (preferably SAP financial modules) is considered as an asset.
• Experience with IPSAS and/or IFRS is considered as an asset. 
• Field experience /familiarity with Emergency will be an asset.
• Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is 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…

(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 measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, 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 or male are encouraged to apply.

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.

UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

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.

There will be no relocation package offered for this post. The successful candidate will be responsible for his/her own relocation and settlement in the city where the post is based.

There is a salary calculator tool for local staff through this link. Please run simulations for an estimate of monthly and annual salary based on the post’s level and location. When running the simulation, please select Mozambique (NEW) as the Duty Station.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.