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
Under the General Supervision of the Operations Manager, the Administrative and Finance Specialist performs technical assistance and oversight functions in support of the strengthening of the financial, administrative in the Regional Office and Country Offices through the implementation of strategic shifts in business practices in line with regional and/or organizational priorities.
How can you make a difference?
- Provide first line technical assistance to Country Offices in the WCA Region on financial and administrative management.
Support oversight functions and provide technical assistance to Country Offices in the WCA Region on financial and administrative management:
- Monitor country offices’ key Administrative and Finance performance indicators, identifying opportunities for improvement, making recommendations and providing technical support as required,
- Provide guidance and support to Country Offices Administrative and Finance staff on policy interpretation and application of financial and administrative policies and procedures,
- Provide technical support and guidance to countries to identify cost efficient options including shared services with other UN agencies, while ensuring high-quality service delivery and recovery of costs through shared administrative services and common premises across the region.
- Support the implementation of regional and/or organizational improvement initiatives in the areas of Finance, Administration
Contribute to the planning, coordination and implementation to support the roll out of organizational improvement initiatives and strategic shifts in business practices in the region, including:
- Simplification measures and streamlining business processes to achieve greater Value for Money in administrative services, including Fleet and Transportation, Premises and Asset management, Travel, Protocol services.
- Eco efficiency and Accessibility in UNICEF offices
- UN wide Operational efficiency initiatives such as the Business Operations Strategies (BOS), Common Back Offices (CBO), Common Premises.
- Support capacity building of Finance, administrative staff
Provide Staff in the RO and the COs with on-going technical support and capacity building on finance and administrative policies, procedures, tools, and collecting and sharing contextualized best practices.
- Identify capacity gaps in Financial, Administrative Management and make recommendations for strengthening,
- Provide support to Regional Office Operations Management and to the Common Services Unit serving both the Regional Office and the Senegal Country Office, to ensure efficient and optimized business process are implemented.
- Act as focal point for Budgetary/Financial transactions for the Cabo Verde Joint Office
Ensure financial monitoring, reconciliation & recording of the resources allocated to Cape Verde Joint Office by coordinating fund allocation to the JO, collecting and analyzing fund utilization reports and supervising their adequate and timely recording in VISION.
Conduct any specific task as instructed by the Supervisor or the Senior Operations Manager.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
- Education: Advanced university degree in business management, administration, finance, or any other relevant field of discipline.
- Work Experience:
- At least 5 years of experience in administrative and finance management.
- Experience in a UN system agency or organization some of which served in a developing country is considered as an asset.
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel required.
- Experience in data analytics, web-based management systems and ERP systems (preferably SAP) is considered as an asset. Knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS is considered as an asset.
- Language Requirements: Fluency in French and English is required.
Desirables:
- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.
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’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female 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.
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.
Special Notice on UNICEF office relocation:
UNICEF and other UN Agencies will be moving soon to the new United Nations House in Diamniadio, 30 kilometers from downtown Dakar. The name of the duty station for this position will remain Dakar, Senegal.
