Finance Specialist (Digital Payment Solutions) – P3  

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, hope.. 

The Division of Financial and Administrative Management’s (DFAM) 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.

The Cash-Based Transfers unit within DFAM Treasury & Structured Finance Section (TSFS) plays a significant role in developing and maintaining excellent relationships with Financial Service Providers (FSPs), including traditional banks, mobile money operators, digital payment providers, financial technology companies, other relevant participants in the cash-based transfer community, and other UN Agencies. Ensures compliance with internal quality assurance standards and external regulatory agency mandates, including Know Your Customer and international sanctions and manages counterparty risk.

The unit is also responsible for introducing efficiencies and enhancing transparency and risk management of payments, accelerating the digital finance transformation of UNICEF in service of Programmes and Operations. The unit also works with various digital finance providers, including digital payment platforms, e-wallets, social media platforms, e-commerce, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), and payment aggregators.

How can you make a difference?

The Finance Specialist (Digital Payment Solutions) will support the Senior Finance Manager Global Cash-Based Transfers in exploring new digital payment solutions, providing technical support, and strengthening Regional and Country Office monitoring and compliance.

Furthermore, the incumbent will provide cash-based transfer finance-related risk-informed policy advice, guidance, and support, establish tools and processes, and oversee the design and implementation of controls to monitor and mitigate cash-based transfer risks.   Key functions, accountabilities and related duties include:   Under the guidance of the Senior Finance Manager Global Cash Based Transfers:

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.

A. Financial Service Provider Selection: 1. Review the business case and terms of reference from Regional and Country Offices for new requests and extensions of FSP approvals. 2. 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. 3. Synthesise the results of the financial health and credit assessment and draft an approval or disapproval request to the Treasurer. 4. Contribute to the legal documentation for FSPs, ensuring that a formal service agreement is signed between UNICEF and the service providers.

B. Digital Payment Solutions: 1. Foster the exploration and implementation of new digital payment solutions for the benefit of cash-based transfer programming at UNICEF. 2. 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. 3. Scale up digital payments for cash transfers to beneficiaries of UNICEF’s programmes. 4. Conduct in-depth research on digital payments, digital financial services, and financial inclusion in specific markets to inform UNICEF’s digital transformation strategy. 5. 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. 6. 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. 7. Assist with coordinating and negotiating cash delivery services with financial institutions, including compliance requirements, and liaise with UNICEF legal and Procurement on contractual documents. 8. Review Financial Service Providers’ terms of reference / contractual agreements and risk assessment. 9. Support implementing a continuous learning and development plan for CBTs at UNICEF.

C. Risk Management: 1. 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. 2. Update the FSP approval conditions monitoring calendar, share monitoring tools and set compliance review appointments with Regional Offices and Country Offices. 3. Review Country Office submissions of approval conditions compliance and propose changes to the required evidence submitted to DFAM Treasury and conditions to strengthen compliance. 4. Stay updated with CBT industry regulations and compliance requirements relevant to UNICEF CBT financial operations.

D. Knowledge Management: 1. Build dashboards from CBT-generated data for easy reporting and monitoring of trends. 2. Keep the DFAM Treasury SharePoint current and upload files to the respective libraries. 3. Update the CBT Country Office Support Request Tracker and respective dashboards. 4. Help capture new knowledge using a knowledge management system, including PowerBI, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Visio, use of AI tools, etc. 5. Draft initial content for capacity-building sessions with country and regional offices.

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

• 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.

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

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.

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

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. 

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. 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.

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