Finance Specialist – P3  

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.

UNICEF Chad Country Office is looking for a committed and experienced professional for the post of Finance Specialist at P-3 level on Fixed Term contract. The specialist is responsible for providing support to the Deputy Representative Operations in managing, monitoring and overseeing the full range of financial 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. 

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For every child, Inspiration

Chad continues to face a combination of rapid-onset and protracted humanitarian crises that have been exacerbated by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The humanitarian needs overview reveals that 6.1 million people will need humanitarian assistance in 2022, a 17% increase compared to 2021. This persistent humanitarian situation is related to the growing insecurity in some parts of the country and in neighboring countries, natural disasters, growing food insecurity, high rates of malnutrition, economic crisis, and political instability in a context of climate challenges. Humanitarian access remains limited in the north provinces and in Lake Chad basin, particularly in the island areas and the border area between Nigeria, Niger, and Chad.

UNICEF in partnership with national and international development and humanitarian actors, supports the Chadian Government in developing programmes and policies to promote and respect children’s rights to survival, education and protection.

To this end, UNICEF Chad has 4 zonal offices and a central office that ensure regular implementation and monitoring of the cooperation program. Through its offices, UNICEF ensures proximity to populations in need and fosters accountability to these populations.

To learn more about UNICEF in Chad, please visit our website UNICEF Chad tendersglobal.net UNICEF Chad 

How can you make a difference? 

Key function, accountabilities, and related duties: 

• Support to financial planning and management
  • Prepare/analyze financial data/estimates and documentations, verifying relevancy, accuracy and completeness to facilitate financial planning for CPMP and regular management advice (including review of financial figures in PCAs). Provide technical and operational support throughout the financial planning and implementation process.
  • Review budget implementation according to allotment, codes and certify compliance with guidelines and procedures. Keep stakeholders informed for timely action.
  • Provide technical and operational support on the application, interpretation and implementation of financial policies, procedures and guidelines to the Representative and CO colleagues and stakeholders. Resolve routine financial issues and/or recommend (and record) deviation from procedures and guidelines to meet objectives.
  • Evaluate financial and reputational risk in transactions carried out by the office and raise flags when actions are needed by management.
  • Prepare and/or monitor financial exception reports to assess unusual activities and transactions, investigate anomalies, and keep supervisor informed for timely action.
  • Provide technical support to the programme counterparts/committees, e.g. 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 work plans for supervisee/s, provide timely technical guidance, monitor work in progress and review work completed to approve transactions and/or certify/verify accuracy of work and compliance with IPSAS and UNICEF Regulations and Rules, policies, procedures, and guidelines.
  • Where applicable, advise and support PSFR activities on budget preparation, strategic income projection/ reporting, setting and monitoring performance indicators, revenue and expense reporting, and provide technical advice during strategic planning exercises.
• Control of accounts
  • Process and/or review (as per delegated authority) the accurate and timely submission of payments (e.g. payroll, MIP, travel claims, pension fund, advances to governments etc), journal entries and other financial transactions within scope to the Global Shared Services Center (GSSC), ensuring compliance with budgetary limits, IPSAS and organizational regulations, rules, policies, procedures, standards of accountability, and ethics. Take timely action on outstanding accounts to resolve pending issues. This includes dialogue and follow up with the GSSC to facilitate timely processing of financial transactions submitted to the center.
  • Process/supervise (as per delegated authority) the disbursement of payments when done locally via bank letters, checks, or petty cash.
  • Process/supervise cash receipts and reconcile income contributions to ensure their timely deposit and recording in UNICEF systems.
  • Monitor and analyze financial transactions, accounting reports and reconciliation of accounts to ensure accurate and current financial information for applicable compliance (e.g. IPSAS, donor reporting, internal policies) and management oversight, planning and/or action.
  • Prepare or contribute to mandated management/statutory office financial and accounting reports to UNICEF Board/Bodies/Donors, verifying the reliability of data and compliance with organizational guidelines.
  • Collaborate with oversight bodies (e.g. UNBOA, OIAI, Evaluation Office, JIU, donors, etc.) to provide answers and to follow to resolution of financial observations and recommendations.
  • Assure proper and timely completion of accounts closure activities (monthly, quarterly and yearly)
  • Examine DCT transactions (transfer, adjustments, reprogramming and liquidation) supporting documents to ensure FACE form has been properly entered into the system and the expenditure is broadly reasonable and in accordance with policy.

     3. Treasury and cash management  

• Manage bank, petty and cash on hand accounts transactions and operations in accordance with UNICEF/UN financial regulations and rules, policies, procedures and local banking practices. Keep abreast of procedures and regulations regarding maintenance of bank accounts and exchange and interests rates. Keep supervisor and relevant colleagues informed for timely action.
• Primary contact with local bank management on routine operational matters including negotiation of exchange rate on replenishments.
• Maintain a system to monitor and forecast periodic cash requirements.  Provide current information on cash position/forecast to management and make recommendation or take action to ensure sufficient availability of resources for programmes and operations activities.
• Review monthly bank reconciliation and take appropriate corrective actions on findings identified by the GSSC. 
• Knowledge and capacity building 
  • Promote culture of highest ethical standards and behavior in management of UNICEF’s resources.
  • Contribute to initiatives for management improvement by capturing, institutionalizing, and sharing best practices and lessons learned. Implement and/or recommend management improvements 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?

• Advance university degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration or equivalent or any other comparable   recognized professional qualification or valid professional certification (CA; CPA; etc.) from an internationally recognized, accredited chartered accountancy institution is required.
• **A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in financial management or audits in an international organization and/or large corporation is required.
• Experience in a UN system agency or organization some of which served in a developing country is considered as 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 considered as an asset.
• Experience with IPSAS and/or IFRS is considered as an asset.
• Fluency in French and English are required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic), 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 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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

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

N’Djamena is a Non-Family Duty Station (classified as D) with Rest & Recuperation every 8 weeks.

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

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 may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID).

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.

How cinfo Can Support You in the Application Process for This Position

• Application and Interview Preparation: Whether you’re preparing your application documents or getting ready for an interview, you can book a Job Application Support session to receive tailored guidance.
• For Swiss nationals invited to the first round of the selection process (e.g., written test, interview, assessment center): Notify us at [email protected], and we will inform our HR partners in the respective organization and the Swiss Government to help increase your visibility.