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.

How can you make a difference?

Under general supervision of the Chief of Field Office, the budget associate performs a variety of specialized tasks in support of the preparation, monitoring, and control of the programme budget, involving several different sources of funds and several programmes. In addition, the incumbent performs front office functions for Head of Zone office.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Maintains and prepares zonal office programme budget /resources reports with special focus on programme budget monitoring; analysis of trends on programme budget allocation and utilization by section; and analysis of trends in project agreements for management and decision making.
• Generates reports on zone office DCTs and status of reporting/liquidations and reimbursements by programme sections. Disseminate the report with programme section, follow-up actions to liquidate the outstanding DCT.
• Establish and maintains information data base system of zonal office programme coordination containing information on NGOs and INGOs profiles, agreements, partner assessments, check lists, internal and external meeting minutes and other information and documentation relevant to programme coordination and reporting.
• Assist in coordinating, compiling and consolidating inputs form all programme sections related to zonal reports including weekly updates, staff meetings, and emergency meetings. Compiling inputs from programme sections on various multi-sectoral external documents / reports when required.
• Coordinate and organizes key zonal office meetings including agenda preparations and circulation; as well as any documents or presentation required for –Zonal management team, heads of programme sections, and all staff meetings. Take minutes as appropriately and follow-up on required action points with relevant staff.
• Follow-up with programme sections on the preparation and submission of Zonal Quarterly programme implementation plans and Quarterly monitoring plans and arranges meetings to review and discuss progress made these quarterly plans.
• Receive and maintain incoming mail and correspondences to the front office and for programme section, log, screen and provide background information, and disseminate to relevant section.
• Review all documents submitted for approval by CFO including PCAs, project agreements, DCTs, travel authorization, for completeness, consistency with agreed format and processes and to ensure compliance with established rules, policy, and guidelines.
• Prepare background information, follow-up with relevant section on briefing notes and background materials in collaboration; effectively maintain, develop, and update the office calendar.
• Arrange appointments with key government officials and departments and maintains supervisor’s calendar, receives high-ranking visitors, places and screens telephone calls and answers queries with discretion
• Perform any other duties assigned by supervisor.

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

• Completion of secondary education.
• Knowledge of automated budgeting and accounting systems and of the budget preparation and implementation processes in the organization.
• A minimum of six years’ experience in budget or financial-related work.
• A good knowledge of written and spoken English.

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.