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For every child, a Champion!
Côte d’Ivoire, a lower-middle-income country on a determined path toward achieving upper-middle-income status, is undergoing significant socio-demographic, economic, and development financing transformations. These shifts present both opportunities and challenges for advancing the rights and well-being of children. Climate change, rapid urbanization, a growing adolescent and youth population, and evolving patterns of inequality are reshaping the landscape of child deprivations, requiring UNICEF to adapt its strategies to address both persistent and emerging vulnerabilities.
In response, the new UNICEF Country Programme 2026–2030 is designed to be transformative and inclusive. It aims to ensure that newborns, children, adolescents, young people, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and mothers—particularly those in underserved and vulnerable communities—fully realize their rights to health, nutrition, education, protection, social protection, and a safe, healthy environment. This vision is anchored in the strengthening of national systems that are integrated, equitable, high-quality, climate-resilient, innovative, and sustainably financed. The programme also emphasizes skills development, emergency preparedness, and community engagement, placing young people and local actors at the center of change, in close collaboration with government, civil society, and the private sector.
To operationalize this ambitious agenda, UNICEF Côte d’Ivoire will adopt a more strategic and integrated approach to programming and to income and budget management. This includes optimizing the alignment of budget and financial resources with multi-sectoral and integrated priorities and ensuring that every dollar spent delivers maximum impact for the most vulnerable children.
In this context, the Budget Officer role is critical. Positioned within the Programme Coordination Unit under the Deputy Representative’s Office (who supervises Chiefs of Programme Sections, Emergency Specialist and Gender & Development Specialist), the Budget Officer will contribute to the Programme Effectiveness Outcome by ensuring that the programme of cooperation is strategically designed, efficiently budgeted, and sustainably financed. The role supports the integrated management of income contributions and budget allocations, enabling the office to deliver results with greater coherence, agility, and impact.
By reinforcing integrated budget and financial stewardship and promoting results-based budgeting, the Budget Officer will help ensure that UNICEF’s investments are not only effective but also equitable and responsive to the evolving needs of children and adolescents in Côte d’Ivoire.
How can you make a difference?
Purpose of the Job:
Under the guidance of the Deputy Representative, the Budget Officer supports the CO in the preparation, planning, monitoring, and management of the programme budget, and works in close collaboration with a range of staff in the CO, donors, external partners and agency counterparts to ensure effective programme management and delivery.
The Budget Officer is responsible for tracking, analyzing, and reporting income and expenditures, including donor contributions and will be accountable for analyzing the needs, preparation, management and monitoring of contributions, involving all sources of funds across programmes and operations, contributing to the overall governance of the office. She/he will also collaborate with HQ, RO and CO and contribute to the overall strategies related to contribution and budget management and reporting and capacity building for the Country Office.
Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:
Within the delegated authority and under the given organizational set-up, the incumbent may be assigned the primarily, shared, or contributory accountabilities for all or part of the following areas of major duties and key end-results.
Main duties and Responsibilities
The Budget Officer is accountable for (i) the Contribution management - budget planning allocation, monitoring, (ii) the Monitoring and oversight of key performance indicators and dashboard reports, (iii) the Management of financial reports related to resource mobilization and donor reporting, (iv) the VISION support to fund management, and (v) the Cost distribution and payroll management.
1. Contribution management – results-based budgeting including planning, allocation, monitoring and reporting:
• Participate in the development of the budget-related components of the CPD/CPMP, office work plan, annual management plan, Resource mobilization and Partnership Strategy, including donor proposals, with various analytical reports on ORR and RR, ceilings for upcoming CPD/CPMP, to staff cost and cost of doing business, reports, to help management take informed decisions.
•Participate in and guide colleagues during initial discussions about funding proposals for grants with regards to policies and way forwards, creating grant request in SAP. Keep up to date with HQ policies and advice, as well as alert the team on the receipt of funds.
• Monitor compliance and inform relevant sections to ensure that fund management objectives and targets are on track, and that staff is aware of donor conditions.
• Ensure timely grant reporting, grant extensions, grant financial closure, and keeping up to date with grant management policies, liaising with HQ colleagues to support colleagues on extension requests, as well as ensure the corresponding documentation is management effectively and efficiently. With regard to grant reporting, provide guidance to colleagues and raise their capacity for the preparation of donor reports.
• Ensure timely allocation of new grants to respective programmes in line with approved budget breakdown and donor conditions.
• Monitor grants expiry dates and in dialogue with the programmes find solutions for proper utilization aligned with results,
• Monitor the utilization of regular Resources and Other Resources and produces regular updates for the Country Office Management.
• Prepare periodic analysis for decision-making including forecasts of office funding needs, in collaboration with the Partnerships and Resource Mobilization team.
• Support the capacity development of programme staff to improve the description of expenditures that appear in financial reports.
• Retrieve information on costs of programme elements, such as staff and related costs from automated files and complies them in standardized and customized reports.
• Enable an institutional memory within the office through development and maintenance of record keeping of OR allocations forms and emails related to RR allocation;
• Collect and analyze budget and financial data for programme/project planning, management, monitoring and evaluation purposes.
• Review the accuracy of VISION/SAP generated data.
• Generate the financial data and information and coordinate with programme sections on incoming funds, grant creation, extension and adjustments as well as reallocations; monitoring conditionality and deviations; and coordinate responses to financial queries and enquiries from donors, Regional Office and headquarters. This includes managing forecasting and budget allocations for payroll.
2. Monitoring and oversight of key performance indicators and dashboards:
• Monitor allocation and expenditures trends; generate, prepare and share with members of the management team the financial progress reports adapted from VISION and bring to their attention any deviations or delays for corrective measures.
• Prepare and submit timely monthly Management Indicator reports to the meetings of management team, including analysis on key programme indicators
• Follow-up on agreed action during presentation of management reports.
• Provide reports on budget utilization during reviews (Mid-year, annual and mid-term reviews).
• Support technical / programme sections and coordinate with the Deputy Representative in the planning and forecasting of budget needs, and maintain a cross-sectoral budget allocation and tracking tool to ensure that sufficient funds from the appropriate sources (and in line with donor conditions) are allocated to ensure proper and timely implementation of programmatic activities.
• Monitor commitments and expenditures to ensure timely, accurate and appropriate grant information is provided on programme budget, allocations, commitments, expenditures and projections and with the aim to ensure delays, errors and discrepancies are detected and corrected.
• Support in ensuring that funds are only used for the purposes agreed and in line with project proposals and donor conditions, including by tracking support for cross-cutting programmes and operations. Keep office senior management, program specialists, budget owners and section chiefs informed on grant utilization rates and make recommendations for corrective action as required.
3. Management of financial reports related to resource mobilization and donor reporting:
• Support the preparation and review of financial reports to donors to ensure alignment with VISION reports and adherence to donor templates and guidelines.
• Prepare financial reports related to contributions in close coordination with the related programmes.
• Support the preparation and review of budgets in donor funding proposals in line with UNICEF financial rules and regulations.
• Support the preparation of budget related documentation and analysis as related to the fundraising function including income analysis and fundraising gaps.
• Support the production of Financial Reports for the Emergency SitRep.
4. VISION support to fund management:
• Provide support to Programme and Operation on the appropriate VISION work processes, routine operation and utilization of the system and PIDB codes.
• Diagnose problems and locally resolve/respond to queries that users encounter or liaise with the NYHQ including the global helpdesk for solutions.
• Building the capacity on budget management including training on VISION and insight.
• Process requests for grants extension ahead of expiring dates in VISION.
• Maintain updated VISION records for budget allotments, planning ceilings, donor contributions and related correspondence.
• Provide support to Programmes through preparation of monitoring reports (donor utilization reports, all routine management reports produced by VISION, non-routine reports and presentations), review and analyse reports and recommend actions to be taken to maximize the efficiency of the office’s fund utilization.
• Assist senior management and programme staff in allocation and reallocation of funds. Conduct regular review and reconciliation of Grants; provide analysis by using the management indicators. Ensure that contributions are fully utilized and in a timely manner.
• Together with the Partnership Manager and/or Specialist and other relevant staff, ensure that required donor budget reports are clear, concise, on time and with accurate financial figures.
5. Cost distribution and payroll management:
• Support and advise budget owners on conditions of Grants utilization in payroll.
• Support staff payroll run by ensuring that adequate funds are allocated for staff salary and cost distribution uploaded for all staff on FT and TA.
• Prepare periodic analysis for decision-making including forecasts of post funding needs.
• Maintain an analysis for the payroll and related gaps.
Impact of Results:
The impact of the actions affects the quality of services, efficiency of processing and delivery, performance of systems and teamwork in support of the country programme. Supervise the work of junior staff.
Regularly makes recommendations on project implementation, alternative approaches, and optimal utilization of UNICEF resources.
Work requires understanding of principles and technical knowledge, skills, acquired through formal training at the university level.
Conduct research, data collection & analysis requiring analytical and conceptual thinking at a professional level.
The work requires evaluation and analysis of programme implementation, with basic professional technical input into programme design, implementation, evaluation, data analysis and progress reporting.
Provide briefings, training, support and/or guidance to programme team and others, requiring communication and presentation skills, human relations skills and teamwork.
The decisions and recommendations are primarily based on interpretation of rules, procedures and methods.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
- Education Requirements: A university degree (BAC + 3) in one of the following fields is required: Social Sciences, International Relations, Government, Public Administration, Public Policy, Social Policy, Social Development, Community Development, or another relevant technical field.
- Experience Requirements: A minimum of two years of relevant professional work experience is required. Experience working in a developing country is considered as an asset. Background/familiarity with emergency is considered as an asset.
- Language Requirements: Fluency in French is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
Desirables:
a) Specific Technical Knowledge Required (for the Job)
• Rights-based and Results-based approach and programming in UNICEF.
• UNICEF programme policy, procedures and guidelines in the Manual.
b) Common Technical Knowledge Required (for the job group)
• Methodology of programme/project management
• UNICEF programmatic goals, visions, positions, policies and strategies.
• Knowledge of global human rights issues, specifically relating to children and women, and the current UNCEF position and approaches.
• UNICEF policies and strategy to address on national and international issues, particularly relating to conflicts, natural disasters, and recovery.
• UNICEF emergency programme policies, goals, strategies and approaches.
• Gender equality and diversity awareness
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…
- Builds and maintains partnerships (1)
- Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (1)
- Drive to achieve results for impact (1)
- Innovates and embraces change (1)
- Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
- Thinks and acts strategically (1)
- Works collaboratively with others (1)
[add the 8th competency (Nurtures, leads and manages people) for a supervisory role].
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.
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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable [Insert candidates from targeted underrepresented groups] 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.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
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.
