Internal & External VA: Programme Officer – Planning and Grant Management, NO-B (Temporary Appointment) 364 days – Juba (Open for South Sudanese Only)

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, Health.

Sudan health outcomes are among the worst globally, with an exceptionally high maternal mortality rate (MMR) across the country, an estimated 789 women dying for every 100,000 live births. Neonatal, infant mortality and under five deaths rates are high, it is estimated that 38 out of 1,000 live births die in the first month of their life, with the main causes being low birth weight and premature birth, injuries sustained during birth, and infections. Ninety-one out of every 1,000 children die before the age of five from common childhood infections. Communicable diseases remain a major public health challenge. Malaria is endemic across the country and nearly half (44%) of all children who seek medical attention will have malaria # many more will be infected but have minor symptoms. Malaria, diarrhea, and pneumonia constitute about 77 percent of the total out-patient attendance for children under five. With regards to vaccine preventable diseases, vaccination coverage is still low with just over a third (39%) of children fully immunized against the main vaccine-preventable diseases. The health sector has been put under further strain by the Covid-19 outbreak, with significant disruptions in service delivery for end users.

The Global Fund is the major donor for supporting the Malaria Programme in South Sudan. A new GF Malaria Grant is being finalized and UNICEF has been nominated as Principal Recipient of the up-coming $50 million Grant to support the malaria control interventions in the country for the next 3 years. from the Global Fund Malaria Round 3 scheduled to start by 1^st October 2021 with the objective of reducing malaria morbidity and mortality in the country through the combination of strategies including malaria case management, Resilient Health System Strengthening – HMIS and M&E and, Vector Control. This Grant will cover the entire country for the period from 1^st Oct. 2021 to 31 dec 2023.

South Sudan Malaria Indicator Survey – 2017 https://www.malariasurveys.org/surveys.cfm

How can you make a difference?

Purpose/task & Expected Results

The GF Malaria grant implementation grant cycle 7 commenced by 1^st January 2024 and the Health Section urgently needs to ensure it puts in place the Project Management Unit (PMU to successfully run the Grant). The position of Finance Officer is critical within the PMU as it will be responsible for providing support to the supervisors and colleagues in the office by administering and executing a variety of professional and technical financial transactions and processes related to the Global Fund Malaria Grant implementation, applying theoretical skills and thorough knowledge of organizational goals, objectives, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to complete the tasks.

Programme Officer -Budget and Grant management will also contribute to planning and guiding work in progress and for reviewing work completed by support GF Malaria project staff to verify accuracy and compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), UNICEF Financial Regulations and Rules, policies, procedures, guidelines, standards of accountability, and ethics.

1. Support to grants planning and management.

• Provide support to the financial planning process for the country office by preparing/analyzing financial data/estimates and documentation verifying relevancy, accuracy and completeness to support budget planning. Provide financial operations support throughout the financial planning and implementation process.
• Assist with the preparation of budgets and plans for Global Fund grants in accordance with UNICEF and Global Fund budgeting guidelines.
• Provide technical support to UNICEF and the National Malaria Control Program in the closure of the Global Fund Grant Cycle 6 and set up of Grant Cycle 7
• Assist with the preparation budgets and plans for Global Fund grants in accordance with UNICEF and Global Fund budgeting guidelines.
• 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 Programme  Specialist with the planning and coordination of sub-recipient annual audits and follow up with partners on the execution of audit recommendations.
• Plan for the commencement of sub-recipient external audits, including the selection of external auditors and a timeline for the audit process.
• Provide technical and operational support on the application, interpretation and implementation of operational policies, procedures and guidelines to the Representative and CO colleagues and stakeholders related to the Global fund Malaria and COVID-19 Grants for the Health Section. Resolve routine financial operational issues and/or recommend (and record) deviation from policies and guidelines to meet objectives.
• 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 in alignment with the Global fund budgeting guidelines.
• Prepare and/or monitor financial exception reports to assess 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.
• Where applicable, 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.

2. Monitoring and Controls

• 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.
• 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.
• Review GC7 budget expenditures for compliance with guidelines and procedures and report non-compliance to stakeholders.
• Review budget expenditures according to allotment and codes and verify compliance with guidelines and procedures related to the Global fund Malaria and COVID-19 Grants for the Health Section. Keep stakeholders informed for timely action.
• 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.
• Maintain a Budget Variance Analysis for the Global fund Grant with up-to-date expenditure tracking to guide decision making.
• 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.

3. Knowledge and capacity building

• Promote a 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 internally and with the National Malaria Control Program.  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…

Minimum Qualifications & Competencies

1. Education

A first level university degree in accounting, financial management or another related financial field is required. Supplemental formal financial / accounting training may be accepted if university degree is not in a related financial field. Diploma qualification in CIPFA is an added advantage.

2. Work Experience

• A minimum of two years of professional experience in financial management or audit is required.
• Experience in an international organization and/or large corporation is preferred.
• 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 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 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:

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.