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, a future

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbkJiMmvKqk

How can you make a difference?

The Finance Manager reports to the Deputy Representative – Operations for general direction and guidance. The manager is responsible for providing support to the senior management team of the country office as well as to programme section chiefs where required in managing, monitoring and overseeing the full range of financial services in support of programme and operational activities (i.e. financial planning, disbursements of funds and payments, treasury and accounting, financial analysis and reporting of resources), advising on and managing the financial issues associated with cash disbursement programmes, Operations budgetary management, ensuring the compliance of all financial operations with organizational plans, policies, procedures, guidelines, standards of performance, ethics, and integrity.

The Finance Manager, when supervising support staff, will be responsible for planning and guiding work in progress and for reviewing work completed by subordinate staff to verify accuracy and compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), UNICEF Financial Regulation and Rules, policies, procedures, guidelines, standards of accountability, and ethics.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Support to Operations and Programme financial planning and management
2. Control of accounts
3. Treasury and cash management
4. Support to cash transfer management and external partner financial review processes
5. Internal control assurance
6. Knowledge and capacity building

Support to financial planning and management

• Prepare/analyze financial data/estimates and documents, verifying relevancy, accuracy and completeness to facilitate financial planning for CPMP and regular management advice. Provide technical and operational support throughout the financial planning and implementation process.
• Manage the financial review of partner submissions and proposals for the PRC and advise the Deputy Representative where required.
• Provide financial technical assistance to the programme section chiefs on donor proposals and donor reporting.
• Provide technical accounting advice and provide support to the Budget Unit where required and to provide assistance to the Planning, Monitoring and Resources section were warranted due t relevant R and R schedule gaps.
• Review budget implementation according to allotment, codes and certify compliance with guidelines and procedures. Keep stakeholders informed for timely action.
• Provide technical and operational support on the application, interpretation and implementation of financial policies, procedures and guidelines to the Representative and CO colleagues and stakeholders. Resolve routine financial issues and/or recommend (and record) deviation from procedures and guidelines to meet objectives.
• Evaluate financial and reputational risk in transactions carried out by the office and raise flags when actions are needed by management.
• Prepare and/or monitor financial exception reports to assess unusual activities and transactions, investigate anomalies, and keep supervisor informed for timely action.
• Provide technical support to the HACT and Quality Assurance Committee Including assisting in the monitoring of HACT compliance. Prepare work plans for supervisee/s, provide timely technical guidance, monitor work in progress and review work completed to approve transactions and/or certify/verify
• accuracy of work and compliance with IPSAS and UNICEF Regulations and Rules, policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Provide technical advice during strategic planning exercises.
• Represent the office at finance sub-committees of the OMT and deputise for the Deputy Representative – Operations at the OMT when required.
• Act as Deputy Representative – Operations as required due to the R and R schedule and leave commitments.

Control of accounts

• Process and/or review (as per delegated authority) the accurate and timely submission of payments (e.g. payroll, MIP, travel claims, pension fund, advances to governments etc.), journal entries and other financial transactions within scope to the Global Shared Services Center (GSSC), ensuring compliance with budgetary limits, IPSAS and organizational regulations, rules, policies, procedures, standards of accountability, and ethics. Take timely action on outstanding accounts to resolve pending issues. This includes dialogue and follow up with the GSSC to facilitate timely processing of financial transactions submitted to the center.
• Process/supervise (as per delegated authority) the disbursement of payments when done locally via bank letters, checks, or petty cash.
• Process/supervise cash receipts and reconcile income contributions to ensure their timely deposit and recording in UNICEF systems.
• Monitor and analyze financial transactions, accounting reports and reconciliation of accounts to ensure accurate and current financial information for applicable compliance (e.g. IPSAS, donor reporting, internal policies) and management oversight, planning and/or action.
• Prepare or contribute to mandated management/statutory office financial and accounting reports to UNICEF Board/Bodies/Donors, verifying the reliability of data and compliance with organizational guidelines.
• Collaborate with oversight bodies (e.g. UNBOA, OIAI, Evaluation Office, JIU, donors, etc.) to provide answers and to follow to resolution of financial observations and recommendations.
• Assure proper and timely completion of accounts closure activities (monthly, quarterly and yearly)
• 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.

Treasury and cash management  

• Manage bank, petty and cash on hand accounts transactions and operations in accordance with UNICEF/UN financial regulations and rules, policies, procedures and local banking practices. Keep abreast of procedures and regulations regarding maintenance of bank accounts and exchange and interest rates. Keep supervisor and relevant colleagues informed for timely action.
• Primary contact with local bank management on routine operational matters including negotiation of exchange rate on replenishments.
• Maintain a system to monitor and forecast periodic cash requirements.  Provide current information on cash position/forecast to management and make recommendation or take action to ensure sufficient availability of resources for programmes and operations activities.
• Review monthly bank reconciliation and take appropriate corrective actions on findings identified by the GSSC.

Support to cash transfer management and external partner financial review processes

• Support the county office in the compilation and quality assurance of financial data required for submissions to the Resident Coordinator’s office for One UN plans and documents.
• Support the Unicef led cluster coordinators where financial resource and expenditure data is required.

Internal control assurance

• Promote a culture of the highest ethical standards and behavior in the management of UNICEF’s resources.
• Support the Deputy Representative – Operations in ensuring complete and effective fraud management and control training to all staff as per DFAM policy.
• Undertake internal preliminary enquiries into suspected financial irregularities as directed by the Deputy Representative – Operations and to assist the Deputy Representative – Operations with any further investigation instructions received from OIAI.
• Undertake internal process and transaction control reviews and assessments as directed by the Deputy Representative – Operations.
• Assist the Deputy Representative – Operations in the administration of external and internal audit administration.

Knowledge and capacity building

• Contribute to initiatives for management improvement by capturing, institutionalizing and sharing best practices and lessons learned. Implement and/or recommend management improvements 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 requirements:

Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s) in financial management related fields such as Accountancy or Finance or their equivalent; or a full professional accounting designation (CA, ACA, ACCA, CPA, CIMA, CPFA, Expert Computable) from an internationally recognized institute/body of accountancy with valid membership in good standing is required.

Work Experience: A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in financial management or audits in an international organization and/or large corporation is required.

• 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.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

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

(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people) for a supervisory role.

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] 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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.

Eligible staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to IP TA positions in a duty station designated as L2/L3, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements, subject to approval by their Head of Office. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.