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, Accountability
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy, and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop, and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life, in its social, political, economic, civic, and cultural dimensions, her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.
Purpose of the job:
Under the general guidance of the Budget Specialist (P-3), Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporring, performs a variety of specialized tasks in support of the preparation, planning, monitoring, and control of the budget and payroll management involving several different sources of funds and programmes and monitors and allocates incoming funds, manage donor Grants within VISION (SAP) and make allocations to the appropriate programmes. Additionally, the incumbent will monitor fund utilization, progress reporting, payroll and cross sectoral funds and capacity building.
How can you make a difference?
Key functions, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks
1. Grants Management
Assist Programme Staff in preparing budgets to reflect the biannual work plans and key programme documents. Coordinate with HQs, Donor Relations and 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 and headquarters. Oversee payroll planning and management for the office, in coordination with sections. Review the accuracy of VISION/SAP-generated data. Be responsible for the accuracy of financial data and information.
2. Optimum Use of Programme Funds
Monitors financial implementation progress and compliance. Monitors the allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored, and liquidation. Implements appropriate recommendations or actions to optimize the use of programme funds.
3. Knowledge Management for Programmes
Contribute to country programmes by supporting knowledge management through providing professional assistance in data collection and analysis of financial utilization, complete and accurate reporting, as well as participation in the key meetings and Committees, e.g., Budget Meetings as assigned by the Representative or Supervisor. This also includes timely and accurate information management for internal and external accountability and transparency.
Participate in information exchange with partners as well as in the development of training and orientation material by providing professional technical assistance to SSCO staff. Takes part in regional discussion of VISION super users.
4. National and Local Capacity Building/Sustainability
Promote and maintain the building and reinforcing of the commitment and institutional capacities of the national and local partners through training focused on UNICEF's financial rules and regulations.
Guide professional and support staff in budget preparation and financial reporting. Advise programme sections on financial rules and regulations. Assist in ensuring their orientation and training needs are met and provide on-the-job training, also select and compile training and orientation materials for budgeting and financial reporting.
5. Partnership, Coordination, and Collaboration.
Facilitate partnership and collaboration with internal and external counterparts, including those of the UN and national partners, in order to improve the ability to collect and disseminate financial data and information, and exchange information on programme/project financial status. Establish and maintain a linkage to the Regional VISION (SAP) Network to ensure the availability of current and updated financial information for the SSCO. Collaborate with the Operations Section to establish and maintain sound financial controls supportive of programming endeavors and to coordinate financial management requirements and accountability.
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: [attach JD/TOR here]
JD_Budget Officer_NOB_FT_Juba_final version.doc
To qualify as an advocate for every child, you will have…
Education:
University degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration, or equivalent, or any other comparable recognized professional qualification.
Experience:
At least 2 years of progressive experience in financial management with a strong basis in Budgetary /Financial Control, preferably in an international organization
Experience working in a developing country is considered an asset.
Relevant experience in a UN system agency or organization is considered an asset.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
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…
- Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
- Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
- Works Collaboratively with others (2)
- Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
- Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
- Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
- Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
- Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)
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.
UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female 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.
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.
