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, results.
We are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not a job, it’s a calling.
UNICEF's Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC) in Budapest, Hungary provides services to UNICEF offices globally in the areas of Finance, Human Resources, Payroll and Information Technology. For more information about GSSC please visit our webpage at Global Shared Services Centre (GSSC) and check this YouTube.
How can you make a difference?
The Senior Quality Assurance Associate is responsible for strengthening the quality of recruitment administrative processes and other processes within the GSSC, to ensure that the recruitment administrative services are performed efficiently, continuous quality improvement is in place, and processes are in compliance with UNICEF policies, procedures and internal standard operation procedures (SOPs).
As part of the quality assurance role, the incumbent will run quality checks and issue reports on data and process quality based on data analysis and will design and manage quality deep dives on specific risky areas, monitor processes, follow up on suspicious transactions and raise awareness of potential risk of fraud.
This is a temporary appointment for an initial period through 31 December 2025.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
Compliance
- Perform quality reviews on recruitment administration processes, identifying risks and control gaps, and areas of non-compliance with established SOPs as well as UNICEF Policies and Procedures.
- Ensure timely preparation and visibility of monthly analytical and compliance reports and provide recommendations on identified issues.
- Perform periodic testing of key controls along with proper documentation and sign offs.
- Evaluate process and system improvements, providing input from internal control and quality perspective.
- Ensure that identified issues are timely resolved by partnering with relevant stream contacts.
- Participate in the development and design of reports and checks to perform quality assurance assignments.
- Ensure that working papers for compliance assignments are properly maintained and archived for future references.
Detective Reporting
- Utilize data analytics methods for root cause analysis and identifying unexpected anomalies requiring further investigation.
- Conduct risk assessment and fraud prevention review, to determine areas for close monitoring.
- Produce detective control reports and facilitate discussion with work stream contacts regarding report results and follow-up actions required.
- Create fraud risk awareness utilizing advisory and training methods.
- Work closely with stakeholders keeping them informed of findings and follow up actions required.
- Provide recommendations for strengthened controls that are deemed necessary from transactional reviews.
Quality Assurance Initiatives
- Lead Quality Assurance initiatives which may include any or all: collaborating with other team members, identifying areas of interest, coordinating efforts to achieve a defined outcome, escalating issues that may hinder the successful completion of the initiative.
- Perform any other ad hoc tasks that may be assigned.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- Completion of secondary education (i.e. high school diploma).
- University Degree in human resources management, business management, international relations, psychology, or another related field is desirable.
- 7 years of relevant hands-on work experience in various roles.
- Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience is required for candidates holding bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the above fields. A relevant master’s degree may replace an additional two years.
- Experience in onboarding or recruitment processes.
- Strong analytical, data extraction, data cleaning and reporting skills.
- Experience in using data analytics techniques and tools.
- Work experience in both corporate and consulting/audit fields (including various companies).
- Fluency in English is required.
- Very good communication skills with a proactive and open-minded approach.
Desirable:
- Three years of relevant hands-on work experience in compliance, auditing, assurance or risk analysis.
- Experience in planning and executing assurance and compliance assignments.
- Work experience with a development organization.
- Work experience in shared service centre context.
- Certifications in internal auditing/information system auditing/fraud risk management/quality assurance.
- Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
- Initiative, proactivity, and ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Traits of professional skepticism.
Applicants must be nationals of Hungary or other EU/Schengen country OR in the possession of a valid long-term Hungarian residency and work permit. Temporary and/or sponsored visas are not accepted.
UNICEF GSSC does not facilitate MFA accreditation for locally recruited staff, applicants must be holders of acceptable permits already at the time of application. Please attach a copy of your work permit (if applicable). UNICEF shall not accept responsibility or liability to act as a sponsor or to otherwise facilitate the issuance, maintenance, renewal, extension, or conversion of the candidate's residency and/or work permit for employment purposes.
Requirement for internal applicants
This vacancy announcement is open to all internal audiences including TA staff members. Lien on post is applicable for FT staff members who will be prioritized if assessed suitable.
Internal applicants from the GSSC must have their Learning Paths completed already at the time of application otherwise they cannot be considered. Additionally, a snapshot/copy of the completed path at their current grade to their applications must be attached to the application form.
Please visit the Learning and Development portal for more information.
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 male candidates 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.
UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advanced 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 the assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
