Quality Assurance Officer, NO-1, PN#117063, Beirut, Lebanon, Fixed Term Appointment

Under the general supervision and overall guidance of the Deputy Representative, Operations, the post is responsible for carrying out proactive and systematic quality assurance activities of all activities implemented under the UNICEF Country Programme, in order to provide an independent and objective assessment of the rationale, adequacy and effectiveness of the Country Office’s risk management and operations internal control framework, processes and systems.

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

UNICEF started to work in Lebanon in 1948 and established its office in 1950. For more than 70 years we’ve been working closely with the Government of Lebanon, other UN agencies, international and local NGOs, universities, and more than 100 partners to meet the needs of disadvantaged children in Lebanon. Responding to life-saving needs and ensuring equal access to quality public services, the impact of our work is felt in every aspect and every sphere of society. To learn more about our work, please refer to: https://www.unicef.org/lebanon/what-we-do

How can you make a difference?

Under the general supervision and overall guidance of the Deputy Representative, Operations, the post is responsible for carrying out proactive and systematic quality assurance activities of all activities implemented under the UNICEF Country Programme, in order to provide an independent and objective assessment of the rationale, adequacy and effectiveness of the Country Office’s risk management and operations internal control framework, processes and systems.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Strengthening accountabilities

• Review internal work process in Programme and Operations to make sure that accountabilities are clear and placed at the adequate level as per global policies and/or best practices
• Periodically conduct a quality review of the table of authority to ensure compliance with the existing policies;
• Periodically test compliance with the Table of authority and adherence to the delegation of authorities in line with UNICEF policies and Procedures; and
• Formulate recommendations on actions to be taken to enforce and strengthen accountabilities.

2. Enforcing and strengthening internal controls to ensure that systems are in place to prevent, detect and report non-compliance

• Assess completeness, adequacy and compliance of work processes in Programme and operations for effective programme implementation
• Implement a risk-based system to periodically and systematically review a sample of programme implementation activities to ensure they are carried out according to established work processes and in compliance with UNICEF policies and Procedures
• Maintain a system to document and report weaknesses in internal control
• Participate and contribute as necessary in office internal and external audits, EU verification missions and ECA exercises, and follow up and help in implementing actions aimed at addressing internal controls gaps and building the capacity of responsible staff
• Assist in the follow-up on the implementation of the internal/external audit recommendations and provides feedback on the status to the supervisor
• Assist in the identification of operational and programmatic risks and weaknesses and make recommendation to mitigate them.
• Assis in managing the office risks through eGRC

3. Promoting value for money, cost effectiveness and efficiency

• In reviewing work processes and enforcing internal controls, the incumbent should systematically identify opportunities for more efficiency and value for money; and
• Maintain a system to collect information on losses of resources (Cash, Assets, Supplies, etc.), report to the supervisor and recommend measures to be taken to minimize such losses.

4. Supporting implementation of an Anti-Fraud Strategy at the country office level

• Contribute to the operationalization of the global anti-fraud strategy at the CO level
• Support in collecting evidences to respond to OIAI’s queries when initially assessing allegations of wrongdoings or during actual investigations; and
• Identify lessons learned from investigations and measures to be taken accordingly.

5. HACT Assurance Activities:

• Assist in HACT assurance activities (planning, implementation, follow up, capacity building…) in coordination with the Programme Specialist – HACT.

6. Undertake specific tasks as advised by the Supervisor: with due consideration to the level of technical expertise required for this position which shouldn’t be involved in the day-to day Programme and Operations activities.

For further information on the JD please click here. Quality_Assurance Officer.docx

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

Education: A University Degree (Bachelor’s) in one of the following areas is required:

• Business Administration/management
• Financial management
• Accounting
• Public Finance
• Or any other related fields

Experience: 2 years of relevant experience in audit, internal controlling, accounting, budget and financial planning, or management and oversight at the international and/or in a developing country is required

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages
• Experience in handling of web-based management systems and ERP financials, preferably SAP is an asset
• Relevant experience in financial monitoring and evaluation and risk management in a UN system agency or international non-profit organization is an asset

Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of French is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability (CRITA) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

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. 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.

Remarks

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable male candidates are encouraged to apply.

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.

UNICEF does not charge any fee during any stage of the recruitment process.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.