How can you make a difference?

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy, and 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.

The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with a range of staff in the CO, external partners, and agency counterparts in support of programme design and delivery. S/He provides regular feedback on the status of projects through monitoring milestones and advises on improvements to keep activities on track.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Facilitate the development of programme cooperation agreements (PCAs) by providing information, data, and financial analysis and drafting selected sections of it.
• Ensure the timely and accurate recording and administrative processing of government & NGO proposals and requests for direct cash transfers (DCTs).
• Conduct programme monitoring in UNICEF focus counties for cash and supplies and inform team members on the status.
• Help conduct regular spot checks of partners’ projects to assess their financial record-keeping, expenditure controls, and reporting systems.
• Support the programme section in researching, compiling, and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and information from a variety of sources or subject matters to facilitate programme delivery as well as preparation of reports, working papers, and presentations.
• Carry out transactions in VISION pertaining to grants and programme-related items for his/her section (s) including but not limited to registering grant allotments and tracking programme expenditure and grants.
• Prepare, monitor, and report information for the supervisor and team on agreed performance indicators to drive more efficient management and accountability for results.
• Regularly monitor budgets and financial expenditures of the section by employing applicable tools, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, and keeping the supervisor informed and advised on actions for decision and/or follow-up.
• Prepare periodic financial grant management and non-financial reports relating to the country office and donors to support the office in optimizing the use of programme funds.
• Support capacity development activities related to programme development by preparing training materials and participating in exercises.
• Monitor and track the efficient distribution of supplies that are required for effective programme delivery.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you require…

• Completion of secondary education is required, preferably supplemented by a university degree in management, finance, or economics related to the work of the organization.
• A minimum of six years of experience in administrative and financial management is required. Prior experience in programme support functions is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Skills

• At least 3 years of experience in doing financial and non-financial data analysis and production of reports.
• At least 2 years of experience in managing sections or office-related work, including management of assets and other resources.
• In-depth knowledge of administration programme/project operations, including monitoring and evaluation processes.
• Strong coordination, organizational, planning, and prioritizing skills and abilities.
• High sense of confidentiality, initiative, and good judgment.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Strong office management skills.
• High attention to detail.
• Good analytical skills.
• Experience in the use of MS Office suite.

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

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.

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.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Appointments are also 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.

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.

Government employees who 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.