Organization: UNICEF – United Nations Children’s Fund
Location: Istanbul | Brussels | New York City
Grade: Mid level – P-4, International Professional – Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
Operations and Administrations
Banking and Finance
Communication and Public Information
External Relations, Partnerships and Resource mobilization
Documentation and Information Management
Managerial positions
Impact investing, Social venture capital
Grant writing
Closing Date: 2024-09-28
UNICEF’s financial and administrative management operating environment is becoming increasingly dynamic and complex as the organization moves towards a governance, risk and compliance framework. Additionally, UNICEF’s funding sources are becoming more complex to record, manage, monitor and report on. With this comes more scrutiny from our donors and oversight bodies on how resources are managed.
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, [hope]
UNICEF’s financial and administrative management operating environment is becoming increasingly dynamic and complex as the organization moves towards a governance, risk and compliance framework. Additionally, UNICEF’s funding sources are becoming more complex to record, manage, monitor and report on. With this comes more scrutiny from our donors and oversight bodies on how resources are managed.
Furthermore, UNICEF has and continues to invest in technology platforms to improve our internal controls and their monitoring. These developments impact the financial and operating risks faced by UNICEF. Enhanced information integrity is intended to be achieved through revamped automated processes that contribute towards agile, robust and quality reporting.
How can you make a difference?
The role of DFAM is to safeguard the financial resources entrusted to UNICEF for the survival, development and protection of the world’s children by maintaining and improving financial and administrative systems and procedures to ensure efficient, cost-effective and transparent utilization of these resources. DFAM is based in New York with representation extending to Brussels, Belgium and Istanbul, Türkiye. The Division is divided into four sections that carry out financial reporting and grants management, administrative management services, strategic resource management, treasury and structured finance. Divisional coordination is under the Office of the Comptroller.
This post resides within the Financial Reporting, Analysis and Monitoring Unit of the Financial Reporting and Grant Management Section of DFAM, reporting to the Chief, Financial Reporting. Under the general guidance and supervision of the Chief, Financial Reporting, the incumbent will be responsible to support the financial reporting function through oversight and ensuring compliance of all UNICEF divisions in accounting for revenue and contributions, complex innovative financing initiatives, procurement arrangements and trust funds; review donor and corporate reports in the area of responsibility; accounting for UNICEF financial instruments and related activities; oversight of the preparation of accounting manual and support to and innovative financial arrangements in addition to other areas as appropriate. The incumbent will ensure that UNICEF’s IPSAS policy positions and regulatory procedures under their oversight are up to date and financial transactions are recorded in compliance with UNICEF’s IPSAS policies and procedures at headquarters, regional and country office locations. The incumbent will provide inputs to the quarterly reports and financial statements in the area of responsibility. The incumbent will also ensure that internal controls are designed with the objectives of achieving an appropriate balance between the cost of compliance with UNICEF’s policies and the benefits derived from these policies for the purposes of accurate financial reporting. The incumbent is also responsible to lead key strategic projects in the areas noted, many of which will comprise of cross-functional teams as a result of the ERP system environment.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
1. Establish and maintain procedures, systems and controls to ensure complex revenue transactions, new and emerging innovative financing instruments; procurement activities; trust funds are accounted for in compliance with IPSAS liaising with key stakeholders and partners in DFAM Grants Management Unit, Treasury and structured finance section, Supply Division procurement services team, Office of Innovation, Private Fund Raising and Partnerships (PFP), Public Partnerships Division, as well as within the Financial Reporting, Analysis and Monitoring unit.
2. Prepare IPSAS accounting position papers for review for new accounting standards and complex new agreements including:
• Research of applicable accounting standards.
• Research of applicable UNICEF circumstances; and
• Co-ordination with other divisions and focal points for inputs.
3. Review and approve accounting adjustment journals for complex areas of accounting including and not limited to, complex revenue arrangements, innovative financing initiatives, procurement services arrangements, trust fund mechanisms and ensuring correct impact on financial statements and donor reporting.
4. Coordinate with HQ divisions including the Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC), PPD and other DFAM sections; to ensure corporate reports correctly reflect the revenue, financing mechanisms and procurement transactions consistent with UNICEF financial statements and in line with IPSAS. Perform initial reviews for compliance with IPSAS and DFAM financial policies.
5. Work with ICTD to address system deficiencies and to develop, test and support the introduction of new system requirements in modules such as those for revenue grants management, procurement services, inventory, trust funds, and innovative financing mechanisms. For these, establish and maintain procedures, systems and controls to ensure revenue activities are accurate and complete and recorded in the UNICEF general ledger on a timely basis.
6. Provide support to periodic financial closure activities, as appropriate for the collection of information from field offices; coordination of activities related to revenue, trust funds, procurement services, innovative financing; reconciliation to records and valuation, where these are performed in conjunction with external parties;
7. Ensure support is provided to the Financial Reporting team in preparation of year-end financial statements, quarterly financial reports, CEB reports and in review of other corporate reports such as:
• Executive Director Annual Reports (EDAR)
• Global Humanitarian Action reports,
• PFP annual reports etc.
8. Support development and implementation of strong management reporting, financial analysis tools, key performance indicators and control activities.
9. Review complex analytical assignments and provide subject matter expertise on International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) to support the proper treatment for complex business transactions and oversight over the documentation of the Accounting Manual in the areas the role is responsible for.
10. Lead special projects as determined by the supervisor. Examples include but are not limited to the following: identify and implement best practices in relevant areas accounting and financial control, identify training needs and develop training activities in all matters of accounting and financial reporting related to revenue and financial statements; .
11. Perform other accounting tasks as assigned by Chief, Financial Reporting, including but not limited to supporting the work of financial reporting and analysis teams that are not directly related to revenue and financial instruments when needed.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
Education: An advanced university degree (master’s or higher) in Finance or Accounting, with a valid professional certification as a Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or any other internationally recognized accounting institution, is required.
Work Experience: A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, in Financial Reporting, Accounting, or a directly related field(s) is required.
Skills:
Knowledge of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is required. Knowledge of SAP is highly desirable.
Knowledge and experience of International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS), and/or international Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is required.
Previous work experience within an international organization is highly desirable.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required. Proficiency level in French is highly desirable. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) is considered an asset.
Desirables:
Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency programmes.
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
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.
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.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.