Programme Budget Associate (GS-6), FT, PG Child Protection, Nairobi – Kenya # 00124423

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.

Goal Area

For every child, an opportunity……

3 of the 2022-2025 UNICEF Strategic Plan is aimed at ensuring that every child, including adolescents, is protected from violence, exploitation, abuse, neglect and harmful practices. The UNICEF Headquarter Child Protection Programme Team supports this vision through the development of global partnerships, the establishment of public goods, and technical support to regional and country offices. It is guided by the Child Protection Strategy (2021-2030).

The Child Protection Programme Team is currently structured into six units: Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (CPHA), Prevention of Harmful Practices (PHP), Planning and Evidence Building (PEB), Child Protection Systems Strengthening (CPSS), ending Violence against Girls, Boys and Women (VAGBaW), and the anchored Migration and Displacement Hub (MDH).

As part of the HQ Efficiency Initiative (HQEI), key staff positions in Programme Group (PG) are to be posted in the Global Office in Nairobi, Kenya. The section is recruiting a Budget Associate to support the entire Child Protection section both Nairobi-based as well as NY-based teams.

Purpose of the post…

Under the supervision and guidance of the  Senior Advisor, Child Protection, Planning & Management, and in collaboration with various colleagues within the CPPT section, POH, and DFAM, the Budget Associate is responsible for executing a broad variety of procedural and specialized contractual, budget and fund monitoring, tracking and analysis, and related tasks for the section requiring in-depth knowledge of UNICEF contractual and budget/finance and administrative procedures, processes and policies.

How can you make a difference?

Budget, Monitoring and Reporting:

• Support to guide the section in entering planning budget in VISION and monitor coherence.
• Support PBR submissions as and when needed.
• Support annual work plan budgeting process for the section as well as Strategic Plan, OMP, and MTR submissions for the Section as and when required.
• Maintain and monitor section and unit(s) budget through system generated reports and keep units informed with updated budget status and fund utilization tracking as needed.
• Monitor utilization and ensure timely closure of commitments and prepare monthly detailed KPI analysis for the section.
• Provide support and/or guidance to Programme Assistants using available tools for budget monitoring and reporting where needed.
• Bring to the Supervisor and/or Unit Leads attention on issues requiring follow-up actions.

Budget and Payroll Planning:

• Support updating and maintaining planning (budget and results structure) on VISION including, budget ceilings and PIDB coding.
• Provides on-going support to programme staff on the appropriate VISION budget work process, routine operation and utilization of the system.Support annual payroll planning and monitoring for the section by gathering and analysing cost distribution data for submission to PGLT Central Service Centre (CSC).
• Supports staff payroll run by ensuring that adequate funds are allocated for staff salary and cost distribution uploaded for all staff.

Contribution Management:

• Alert units on expiring funds/grants at least two months in advance and maintain annual donor reporting tracking tool.
• Support overall monitoring of grant utilization and alert the supervisor about emerging challenges.
• Support monitoring Global Thematic Funds, allocations, utilization, and reporting.
• Provide quality assurance of financial information including in donor reports, proposals, work plans and programme documents.
• Enable an institutional memory within the office through development and maintenance of record keeping of allocations forms and emails; ensures the filing of and access to all the financial and budget related files on proposals, donor reports and all other financial documents.

 Other Responsibilities:

• Act as backup to Programme Associates/Assistants during their absence.
• Support capacity development activities to strengthen overall budget skills and competencies of section Programme Associates/Assistants, in related technical areas related to the function, including but not limited to, financial management, VISION, Insight, and reporting.

Perform any other duties and responsibilities assigned as required

To qualify as a champion for every child, the candidate must have…

• Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by technical or university courses related to the work of the organization is required.
• For this position, a bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a relevant field may replace three years of related work experience.
  * A master’s degree may replace additional two years.is required.
• A minimum of six years of progressively responsible finance or administrative work experience is required.
• Experience in budget and financial planning, monitoring and management is highly desirable.
• Advanced computer literacy and the ability to effectively use standard office software tools (MS Office, Enterprise database) and other office technology to create documentation, exchange and archive e-mail, and maintain electronic filing systems.
• Proficiency in using SAP/ERP systems (VISION) will be an asset.
• General Service Staff are recruited locally. Candidates must be in possession of an existing visa/work permit or be a resident/citizen of Kenya and/or a commuting area to be considered eligible for this position
• Prior experience in programme support functions is an asset.
• Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered as an asset.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF software such as SharePoint.
• 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 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 including 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, 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 promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. 

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.

“UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/”

For more information on remuneration and benefits, please visit UNICEF’s Entitlements’ page.  If you would like to find estimates for entitlements, you may use the online Salary Estimate Calculator

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