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 champion

The UNICEF Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office is based in Panama, operating in 36 territories, including 24 country offices.

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Strategic office context:

The Regional Operations section supports the Regional Office (RO) governance and management systems and leads the operations function for the effective delivery of technical assistance, oversight, advocacy, knowledge sharing and capacity building to Country Offices (CO). The section oversees programme and operations budget planning, monitoring and reporting function of the Regional Office, leads the regional Programme Budget Review exercises and provides technical assistance and capacity building support to Country Offices in results-based budget management.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Operations Manager P4, the Budget Officer supports the Regional Office programmatic and operational budgetary planning, monitoring, and reporting in compliance with donor conditions and internal UNICEF rules and regulations. The Budget Officer supports the establishment of an efficient budget management system within the RO. The incumbent performs a variety of specialized tasks in support of the preparation, monitoring, and quality review of country offices budget submissions and performance data, involving different sources of funds, information gathering and analysis of data/trends. The incumbent provides technical support to 24 COs, conducts quality review of regional IBCS database, delivers budget related trainings, interacts with DFAM to process system changes, and provides inputs to global policy and systems improvement.

Key accountabilities and duties & tasks:  

 1. Policy, procedures and systems

2. Budget planning

3. Budget Monitoring

4. Budget Reporting

5. Partnership, coordination and collaboration

6. Effective management and development of staff including supervision of Finance/Budget related GS staff as required.

7. Perform any other duties and responsibilities assigned as required.

 If you would like to know more about these duties, please review the complete Job Description here:  JP Budget Officer Level 2 ROs.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: University degree in Accounting, Budget, Finance, Business Administration, or any other relevant field of discipline.
• Work Experience: Two years relevant professional work experience in budget management and monitoring its execution; Experience in a UN system agency, large private or public company is an asset. Experience in working with corporate ERPs (Enterprise Resource Planning) is highly desirable. Understanding of Results Based Management is desirable. Experience in supporting successful client-oriented work units is an asset.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in Spanish, and solid working knowledge in English required. Another UN language an asset.
• Desirables: Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is 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…(see complete competencies in the enclosed JD)

(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.

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.