Organization: UNICEF – United Nations Children’s Fund
Location: Remote | Nairobi
Grade: Consultancy – Consultant – Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
Banking and Finance
Information Technology and Computer Science
Technology, Electronics and Mechanics
Impact investing, Social venture capital
Closing Date: 2024-07-12
The UNICEF Global Digital Centre of Excellence (DCOE) of Information, Communications & Technology Division (ICTD) has a key mandate to drive digital transformation and innovation through the adoption of digital platforms across UNICEF’s global programmes to achieve sustainability and global scale. To support the analysis of the financial and business models of the UNICEF’s digital platforms, DCOE is looking to recruit a Financial Analyst (Digital Platforms). The analyst will work closely with other sections in ICTD to collect and analyze the financial information, develop financial models to guide the future business model of the digital platforms and identify financial risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.
Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
And we never give up.
For every child, a digital future
UNICEF’s use of digital platforms spans across education, health, child protection, social inclusion, and emergency response. These platforms not only improve service delivery but also empower communities, ensure real-time data collection, and foster innovation. By leveraging technology, UNICEF continues to enhance its impact, ensuring better outcomes for children globally. UNICEF has successfully developed and scaled several digital platforms that significantly impact various aspects of children’s lives, including education, health, protection, and social inclusion. Some of the key examples includes U-Report, Rapid Pro, Primero, Internet of Good Things (IoGT) and HOPE.
The financial sustainability and sound business models are integral to the success of these digital platforms in UNICEF’s programmes. They ensure continuity, scalability, innovation, and local engagement, ultimately enhancing the impact and reach of digital solutions in addressing global challenges.
How can you make a difference?
The UNICEF Global Digital Centre of Excellence (DCOE) of Information, Communications & Technology Division (ICTD) has a key mandate to drive digital transformation and innovation through the adoption of digital platforms across UNICEF’s global programmes to achieve sustainability and global scale. To support the analysis of the financial and business models of the UNICEF’s digital platforms, DCOE is looking to recruit a Financial Analyst (Digital Platforms). The analyst will work closely with other sections in ICTD to collect and analyze the financial information, develop financial models to guide the future business model of the digital platforms and identify financial risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.
Scope of Work:
The Business Financial Analyst is expected to support the deliverables:
1. Financial Analysis and Reporting:
– Collect and analyze financial data related to the development, maintenance, deployment, and use of digital platforms such as U-Report, Rapid Pro, Primero, Bebbo, IoGT, and HOPE.
– Prepare detailed financial reports and presentations for stakeholders, highlighting the past financial performance and observed trends and total cost of ownership (TCO),of these platforms
2. Benchmarking
– Compare cost incurred for UNICEF platforms to COTS solutions, if available.
– Identify good practices/examples of funding models for programming platforms from other UN agencies, if available.
– Identify insights on cost effectiveness of UNICEF-supported/-owned digital platforms.
3. Development of Sustainable Financial Models:
– Create and maintain financial models to support decision-making and guide future business models for digital platforms. Ensure that financial models and business strategies support the scalability and innovation of digital platforms.
– Use these models to forecast financial outcomes and measure impact, identify trends, and provide recommendations for financial sustainability.
4. Risk Assessment and Mitigation:
– Identify financial risks associated with digital platforms and develop strategies to mitigate these risks.
– Conduct sensitivity analysis to understand the impact of various financial scenarios on the platforms.
5. Collaboration and Coordination:
– Work closely with other sections in the ICT Division, digital platform product owners and the Digital Centre of Excellence to align financial strategies with overall digital transformation goals.
– Coordinate with Programme group to ensure financial models and plans support the strategic objectives of UNICEF’s digital initiatives.
6. Documentation and Knowledge Sharing:
– Document financial processes, models, and strategies for digital platforms.
– Share knowledge and best practices related to financial management of digital platforms within UNICEF.
7. Capacity Building:
– Assist in the development and delivery of training and capacity-building initiatives related to financial management for digital platforms.
– Support local offices in building their financial analysis capabilities to sustain digital initiatives.
Work Assignments Overview
Deliverables/Outputs
Delivery deadline
Financial data related to 1 digital platform across UNICEF i.e. Rapid Pro
Detailed and Summary financial reports and at least one presentation per DPG prepared for stakeholders.
15 Sept 2024
Financial data related to 3 additional digital platforms across UNICEF i.e. Primero, IoGT, and HOPE mapped and analyzed
Detailed and Summary financial reports and at least one presentation per DPG prepared for stakeholders.
15 Nov 2024
Financial model(s) designed to support decision-making and guide future business models for digital platforms. Business strategies to support the scalability and innovation of digital platforms proposed and documented.
Models to forecast financial outcomes and measure impact, identify trends, and provide recommendations for financial sustainability.
Financial forecasting and sensitivity test models developed and documented for knowledge transfer purposes.
Document outlining the strategies to sustain and scale-up digital platforms for programme.
15 Jan 2025
Analyzed and documented financial and non-financial risks associated with digital platforms including proposed strategies to mitigate these risks
Initial risk register including financial and non-financial risks and mitigating strategies developed, to be mainstreamed in internal governance structures
1 Feb 2025
Draft training and capacity-building initiatives related to financial management for digital platforms developed and documented.
Local Offices supported in building their financial analysis capabilities to sustain digital initiatives.
Document outlining capacity-building initiatives for financial management of digital platforms. Selected number of COs engaged in all phases of the work.
28 Feb 2025
Financial Proposal:
Please indicate your ability, availability and your overall rate – or rate per deliverable (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a rate will not be considered.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
An advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in Finance, Business or Engineering
*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in developing financial analysis and models; including the ability to present complex technical topics for a non-technical audience
Experience in developing tools and guidance (such as work aids and templates) for users
Experience in developing tools and guidance for UNICEF users is a strong asset.
Knowledge of UNICEF digital platforms, T4D structures and processes is a strong asset
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).
To view our competency framework, please visit 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.
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.
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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.
Remarks:
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.
The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.