Finance Officer (Banking) – P2

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, hope..

The DFAM’s overall objective is to ensure that financial resources are fully attributed to the Strategic Plan results chain, made available in a timely manner, and used effectively and efficiently within an optimized organizational structure which is ?fit for purpose’. This is achieved through periodic measurement, transparent financial and administrative performance reporting, and the development and application of risk-informed policy, improved procedures, and innovative systems.

DFAM Treasury & Structured Finance Section (TSF Section) is responsible for developing and maintaining excellent relationships with Financial Service Providers (FSPs), including traditional banks, mobile money operators (MNOs), digital payment platforms, e-wallets, social media platforms and super Apps, e-commerce, payment aggregators, financial technology companies, payment service processors, and other financial service providers. Ensures compliance with internal quality assurance standards and external regulatory agency mandates, including Know Your Customer and international sanctions and manages counterparty risks.

 

How can you make a difference? 

Under the general guidance and supervision of the Chief Banking, supervise the administration of UNICEF banking and cash account arrangements for the headquarters and field locations (over 800 bank and cash accounts) including maintenance of House Banks, Bank and Cash accounts, Bank and Cash Management module (Overture), and preparation of recurring reports.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities: Under the guidance of the Finance Specialist ? Banking and Payment Solutions Unit:

A. Supervise maintenance and review of UNICEF Bank and Cash accounts. Bank accounts. 1. Draft recommendation for Treasurer’s approval of new bank accounts. 2. Opening, Maintaining, and closing of bank accounts 3. Create initial signatory panels. Cash on Hand Accounts (COHAs) 4. Draft recommendations for Treasurer’s approval of all COHAs. 5. Opening/renewal/closing of all COHAs 6. Custodian, ceiling maintenance / updates Petty Cash Accounts (PCAs) 7. Opening / Closing 8. Custodian, ceiling maintenance / updates

B. Supervise maintenance of Bank and Cash Management Module in VISION (Overture) 1. Create account records in Overture. 2. Update overture with the new assigned GL code and House Bank 3. Deactivate account records in Overture. 4. Review daily SAP-HR report and update signatory panel as required.

C. Monitor Bank and Cash account Balances as well as Compliance of Country and Regional Offices: 1. Produce timely reports to monitor UNICEF’s Bank and Cash Account balances and ensure compliance by regional and country offices within UNICEF’s Financial and Administrative Policies and Procedures. 2. Upload monthly reports to Bank Optimization SharePoint Site and follow up with Country / Regional Offices regarding irregularities / high bank balances. 3. Maintain COHA Dashboard and analyze COHA activities to identify any irregularities and follow up with field offices when required. 4. Monitor bank charges for all UNICEF house banks.

D. OFAC sanctions monitoring: 1. Submit OFAC Licensing requests via OFAC portal. 2. Perform sanctions check / due diligence for potential financial service providers banking partners.

E. Field Office support: 1. Support with required documentations for FSP onboarding including account openings, AML/KYC, Tax status, etc. 2. Assist GSSC team related to signatory panel updates, system access to BCM and electronic banking access. Documentation requests to house banks related to implementation of MT940 reporting and BCM implementation.  

F. Bank Rationalization: 1. Support Bank Rationalization strategy to rationalize and optimize UNICEF global banking infrastructure leading to fewer bank accounts and fewer banks. 2. Identify and recommend country offices to bank with banking partners that provide hostto-host banking solutions and MT940 reporting capabilities in support of electronic payment processing.

G. System Administrator of UNICEF’s e-banking platforms: Fulfills systems administrator function by granting user access rights for UNICEF’s HQ internet banking solutions and to BCM in VISION.

H. Supervises compilation of annual bank balance confirmation for the UN Board of Auditors and follow-up with respective offices as required.

I. Support activities related to pre-paid and credit card solutions including tracking of KYC documentations, shipment of prepaid cards to cardholders

 

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• University degree with a combination of courses in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration and computers.
• Professional credentials or continuing professional education for the attainment of such credentials are highly desirable (i.e., CPA, CMA or other national equivalents).

Experience: 

• Minimum two years of practical experience in field of finance, accounting or related areas.
• Experience in banking and international environment is an asset.
• Experience working with Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, SharePoint and PowerPoint is required.
• Experience in working in a multi-cultural environment.
• Experience of working with ERP systems, in particular SAP, is required.

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in English (verbal and written) required, knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

 

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.

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.

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

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.

 

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