Programme and Budget Specialist

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Description

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Under the guidance of the Regional Chief of Programme and Planning, contributes towards the programme planning function of the RO, formulation of strategies related to programmes and budget monitoring, and financial reporting on programmes and activities. The team manages RO budget, including Whole of Syria Grants.

Budget Planning and Monitoring:

• The Programme Budget Specialist in the Regional Office will ensure an effective programme budget planning process is in place to formulate and deliver on the Annual Works Plans and  MENA accelerators in alignment with the overall UNICEF budgetary framework.

Analysis:

• Provide regular analysis and recommendations to management on the overall MENARO and MENA countries utilization including expenditure patterns and cost drivers to ensure sustainability.
• Provide financial analysis, related to MENARO and MENA countries to enable UNICEF to remain competitive, retain trust with donors and maintain high rates of opportunity capture.
• Maintain an overview of the financial requirements and conditions of all grants and support programme teams with effective processes and technical guidance to ensure allocations (and reallocations), full fund utilization, quality management and compliance.

Ensure on quarterly bases reconciliation of all grants and provide analysis and related reviews. Monitors and reports effectively on pipeline funding and income projections and its management.  Develops alerts/KPIs to highlight funding gaps and their impact on both programme and staffing costs. 

• Capacity building: A capacitator to Country Offices and Regional Office sections to ensure optimal budget planning, management, and monitoring
• Payroll and salary planning: Ensured annual salary planning exercise and monthly administration and maintenance of payroll for national and international staff is delivered effectively.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

• Supervise and lead a small unit which is the focal point for contribution management and monitoring in all matters relating to the multiple grants and contributions received by the RO.
• Guide Advisers and the Output Managers on any conditionalities and effective use of the resources, including ensuring that guidelines, policies, rules, and regulations are fully understood and correctly applied.
• Coordinate with the senior management, Output managers, and Advisers to ensure timely utilization of funds; closely monitor due dates for any financial reports and deadlines for utilization of all contributions.
• Contribute to capacity building of MENA country office staff and the regional office in budget management and monitoring capacities. Serve as the focal point for country offices budgetary advice, changes in country programme ceilings, and liaison with DFAM and DAPM on budgetary management and monitoring.
• Prepare monthly contribution management reports, financial reports (including Whole of Syria and Syria +), and analytical reports concerning MENA Accelerators and SP Goal areas. Ensure quality information management through regular maintenance of contribution-related information in VISION and collection of good practices concerning contribution management in SharePoint.
• Inform Management and Chief of Programme and Planning on Strategic Plan analyses for the region: provide complex analysis focusing on the financial inputs towards the goal areas, intended results areas, and cross-cutting programmes. Analyse financial performance in the context of enablers, and change strategies.
• Conduct strategic analyses to inform regional office management and RMT decision-making, and carry out any special studies and analysis requested by management to programme and budget, including appropriate recommendations.  Participate in the review of programme reports for management, budget reviews, Peer Reviews, programme analysis, the Regional Office Annual Report, and the RMT, amongst others.
• Work in close collaboration with the Partnerhips and Resource Mobilization on donor analysis, funding trends etc.
• Follow up on CO and RO KPI related to financial management and provide necessary support.

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

The following minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Finance, Accounting or another relevant technical field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Experience: A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience is required in one or more of the following areas: contribution management, budget, or financial management. Good command of excel is a requirement.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Arabic is required.
• Knowledge of the French language is an asset.
• Experience with UN and SAP system is required.

Source: https://jobs.unicef.org/en-us/job/571343/vacancy-announcement-programme-and-budget-specialist-noc-fixed-term-amman-menaro-0042115

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