Senior Finance Associate – HOPE (GS-7), Abuja, Nigeria #129737- Temporary Appointment (364 Days)

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.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, HOPE.

BACKGROUND

The Health Section of the UNICEF Nigeria Country Office (NCO) supports the Government of Nigeria to roll-out child survival interventions at country and State level in Nigeria. These interventions are key to reducing the extremely high rates of maternal, infant and child mortality, and poor child development in Nigeria.

UNICEF Health Section in Nigeria would like to increase efficiency and robust payment processes using Humanitarian Cash Operations and Programme Ecosystem-HOPE, which will enhance programme implementation in Polio, non-polio SIAs and Routine Immunization activities.

PURPOSE

The Finance Associate will be responsible for providing a variety of specialized tasks in finance functions, ensuring accurate and timely delivery in compliance with UNICEF financial rules and regulations, whilst demonstrating the capacity to research, adapt and evaluate irregular cases, and to recommend improvements to process delivery and design.

How can you make a difference? 

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

Under the direct supervision of the Finance Manager and the strategic leadership of the Deputy Representative Operation, the Senior Finance Associate will perform the following tasks:

1. Assist on verifying completeness, accuracy and posting all aspects related to HOPE payment plan/HEALTH related requests, by compilation all data and responding queries by providing payments updates, confirm funds have been transferred to individual accounts successfully, adjustments made to ensure financial compliance, accuracy, and completeness of data for payment run. Advise section of discrepancies on bank accounts and assist to correct.

2. Update and maintain payment records and monitoring systems to record and reconcile payments, balances, statements, and other data for day-to-day transactions related to HOPE Polio Program activities, Polio Campaigns etc.

3. Selects and enters data from a wide variety of documents, verifying and ensuring accuracy by checking sources, making necessary calculations, and assuring inclusion of all relevant data and ensure adherence to internal control procedures.

4. Prepares recurring reports as schedules and special reports, as required for budget preparation, audits or other reasons.

5. Help finalize payments in preparation for year-end Close, grant expiry and financial closure. Ensuring all payments are completed in a timely manner.

6. Liaise with GSSC and FSPs to address all queries raised and make necessary corrections on transactions, unapplied receivable balances/failed payments list. Work closely with the selected FSP and monitor the details of the payment and reporting process that are to be put in place.

7. Initiates correspondence to verify data, answers query and obtains additional information on HOPE Platform for efficiency and effectiveness of all payments.

8. Maintains liaisons with officials of local banks to obtain day-to-day information on exchange and interest rates, changes in procedures and regulations, and matters pertaining to maintenance of office bank accounts. This includes prepares recurring reports and bank reconciliation.

9. Prepares detailed cost estimates, and participates in budget analysis and projects, as required.

10. Performs other HEALTH section related transactions/finance duties, as required.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Completion of secondary education. Professional/university level courses in Accounting and Finance/Business administration is considered as an asset. 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. 
• Work Experience: A minimum of seven years of clerical experience in finance and accounting is required.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The 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 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 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.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be 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 canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

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

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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 a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

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.