Finance Officer, (NO-1), Temporary Appointment, Mogadishu, Somalia (Open for Somali Nationals Only)#00127745

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Protection

Purpose of the job

The Finance Officer reports to the Regional Chief/Chief Operations or Finance Specialist for close guidance, training, and supervision. The Finance Officer provides support to the supervisor and colleagues in the office by administering and executing a variety of technical and professional transactions/initiatives in financial management and services, applying theoretical skills, and acquiring thorough knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and organizational goals and objectives, Financial Regulations and Rules, policies and procedures through the performance of tasks.

Main activities

1. Support to financial planning and management.

• Provide operational and technical assistance in the financial planning process for CPMP by preparing/analyzing financial data/estimates and documentations verifying relevancy, accuracy, and completeness to support budget planning. Provide financial operations support throughout the financial planning and implementation process.
• Assist with the preparation budgets and plans for Global Fund grants in accordance with UNICEF and Global Fund budgeting guidelines.
• Assist in review of partner budget agreements before they are signed, ensuring congruence of agreements and the Global Fund budget partner allocations.
• Allocate funds to Zonal Offices and partners in accordance with their Master budget allocations with the approval of program managers & the Finance Specialist and regularly monitor on the utilization of allocated funds.
• Assess budget expenditures to verify compliance to allotment, codes, guidelines, and procedures. Prepare regular analysis, modification, and reports on the budget situation for higher management oversight and action.
• Contribute technically to the program counterpart to review budgets and financial plans of implementing partners; monitor compliance with HACT framework, including support to assessments, assurance, and capacity development of implementing partners.
• Prepare financial exception reports, highlight unusual activities and transactions, investigate anomalies, and keep supervisor informed for timely action.
• Review financial and reputational risks in the transactions carried out by the office and raise flags when action is needed by management.
• Assist the zonal offices in the timely preparation and submission of accurate financial reports to country office.
• Prepare timely and accurate donor financial reports on the assigned grants and work closely with the supervisor on the submission of shared donor templates.
• Assist the Finance Specialist with the planning and coordination of sub-recipient annual audits and follow up with partners on the execution of audit recommendations.

2. Monitoring & Control

• Provide rigorous budget monitoring and control to ensure timely and accurate budget utilization and raise awareness of areas of significant under performance and delayed implementation of assigned grants.
• Monitor the aging of cash advances to partners and commitments of the Global Fund grants and fast track them as necessary.
• Ensure the production of monitoring reports (donor reports, other routine management reports produced by VISION, non-routine reports, and presentations) and share with the supervisor, GFATM and Health Section
• Carry out mid-term budget reviews (reprogramming) and promptly prepare revised budgets that are based on accurate performance analysis and realistic program implementation projections.
• Ensure that payments to partners are processed on time and in accordance with agreed budgets/Workplans, and financial reports are received on quarterly basis as required by HACT Guidelines.
• Ensure that program assets are correctly recognized, classified, and documented in compliance with UNICEF policies and procedures and reported to the donor.

3. Cash Management & Forecasting

• Create a reliable liquidity plan and financial forecast for Global Fund Grants on semesterly basis in accordance with approved budgets.
• Monitor the Global Fund’s bank charges and ensure they are promptly paid.
• Work closely with HACT to ensure that ineligible refunds are properly credited to the correct grants and promptly refunded as required by the donor.

4. Knowledge and capacity building

• Promote culture of highest ethical standards and behavior in management of UNICEF’s resources.
• Support initiatives for management improvement by capturing, institutionalizing, and sharing best practices and lessons learned. Recommend improvements in processes and procedures 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.

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

• A university degree in accounting, financial management. Supplemental formal financial / accounting training may be accepted if university degree is not in a related financial field. Diploma qualification in CIPFA is acceptable in lieu of relevant university degree, or its equivalent.
• One year of professional experience in financial management or audit is required. Experience in an international organization and/or large corporation is an asset.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel required. Experience in database packages, web based management systems and ERP systems (preferably SAP financial modules) is an asset. Experience with IPSAS and/or IFRS is an asset.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. 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, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

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 4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically(7)Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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 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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.