Finance Specialist

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Description

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• The incumbent will actively explore and support the implementation of risk-informed financial aspects of cash-based transfers by providing technical support and guidance to UNICEF Regional and Country Offices. The position will be accountable for providing support during the selection of FSPs and keeping abreast of new technological developments for delivery of cash-based transfers to beneficiaries. They will also identify and pursue opportunities for digital payment solutions, ensuring the application of rules and regulations, compliance and changes to policies, procedures, system efficiencies and safeguarding of financial resources leading to improved and efficient payment solutions. The incumbent will work closely with other units in DFAM, including the Banking Unit, the Financial Reporting Unit, and other divisions and teams across the organization including the Programme Group, the Supply Division, the Legal Team and country offices worldwide.

• Review the business case and terms of reference from Regional and Country Offices for new requests and extensions of FSP approvals.
• Facilitate FSP financial health and credit risk assessment to determine the likelihood that the FSP will continue as a viable business and safeguard UNICEF funds entrusted to them.
• Synthesise the results of the financial health and credit assessment and draft an approval or disapproval request to the Treasurer.
• Contribute to the legal documentation for FSPs, ensuring that a formal service agreement is signed between UNICEF and the service providers.

• Foster the exploration and implementation of new digital payment solutions for the benefit of cash-based transfer programming at UNICEF.
• Interact with a wide array of digital finance service providers, including but not limited to digital payment platforms, e-wallets, social media platforms, e-commerce, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), and payment aggregators.
• Scale up digital payments for cash transfers to beneficiaries of UNICEF’s programmes.
• Conduct in-depth research on digital payments, digital financial services, and financial inclusion in specific markets to inform UNICEF’s digital transformation strategy.
• Identify and implement innovative solutions to support digital payments and access to financial services, identify opportunities to shape the environment and create new ways
• for delivering cash to beneficiaries of UNICEF programmes.
• Help identify partnerships and networks with critical international, national/regional platforms and initiatives for UNICEF to work with to scale up the digital payment’s agenda.
• Assist with coordinating and negotiating cash delivery services with financial institutions, including compliance requirements, and liaise with UNICEF legal and Procurement on contractual documents.
• Review Financial Service Providers’ terms of reference / contractual agreements and risk assessment.
• Support implementing a continuous learning and development plan for CBTs at UNICEF.

• Establish a risk-based system to periodically and systematically monitor FSP risk mitigation action plans approved by DFAM Treasury to ensure they adhere to established work processes and comply with UNICEF policies and Procedures.
• Update the FSP approval conditions monitoring calendar, share monitoring tools and set compliance review appointments with Regional Offices and Country Offices.
• Review Country Office submissions of approval conditions compliance and propose changes to the required evidence submitted to DFAM Treasury and conditions to strengthen compliance.
• Stay updated with CBT industry regulations and compliance requirements relevant to UNICEF CBT financial operations.

• Build dashboards from CBT-generated data for easy reporting and monitoring of trends.
• Keep the DFAM Treasury SharePoint current and upload files to the respective libraries.
• Update the CBT Country Office Support Request Tracker and respective dashboards.
• Help capture new knowledge using a knowledge management system, including PowerBI, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Visio, use of AI tools, etc.
• Draft initial content for capacity-building sessions with country and regional offices.

• An advanced university degree (Master’s) in Finance Management, Business Administration, or Economics is required.
• A minimum five (5) years of relevant work experience in cash-based transfers, risk management, finance, or banking, is required.
• Hands-on experience working with Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, SharePoint and PowerPoint at an advanced level is required.
• Knowledge and experience working with an Enterprise Resource Planning system (i.e. SAP) is required.
• Hands-on experience with payment methods for humanitarian programmes, such as cash transfers, is considered an asset.
• Hands-on experience with PowerBI is highly desirable.
• Experience working in a multi-cultural environment is considered an asset.
• Work experience in a developing country, and/or familiarity with work in an emergency context is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is considered an asset.
• Functional Competencies Required:
• Demonstrated knowledge of Digital Payment Solutions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong reasoning skills in identifying issues, gathering relevant information, and exhibiting sound judgment in decision-making.

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