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, a champion
Syria continues to face one of the most complex emergencies in the world. Unprecedented humanitarian needs are compounded by displacement inside the country and across its borders, extensive destruction of civilian and social services infrastructure, devastating impacts on the economy, and most importantly, the breakdown of the social fabric that stitched the country together for decades.
Today, 90 per cent of people in Syria live in poverty, most are unable to make ends meet or bring food to the table. Families have had their resources depleted, with limited employment opportunities, skyrocketing prices, and shortage of basic supplies. For most people, the current socio-economic challenges represent some of the harshest and most challenging circumstances they have faced since the beginning of the crisis in 2011.
In 2024, 16.7 million people needed humanitarian assistance. This is the highest number of people in need ever recorded in Syria since 2011. The number of children in need - more than 6.5 million - has increased by seven per cent in the past year alone. The COVID-19 pandemic, the hike in the price of commodities triggered by the overall global economic situation is further compounding the dire situation.
Political transition, economic instability, and security concerns continue to impact recovery efforts. UNICEF remains committed to upholding children's rights, striving to create an environment where children are protected, valued, and empowered.
For information on the work of UNICEF, please visit UNICEF Syria.
How can you make a difference?
The Senior Finance & Accounts Associate will be responsible for providing a variety of specialized tasks in finance functions, ensuring accurate and timely delivery that is in compliance with UNICEF financial rules and regulations as well as with local banking practices, whilst demonstrating the capacity to research, adapt and evaluate irregular cases, and also to recommend improvements to process delivery and design.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
1. Control of Accounts
- Process the submission of payments (e.g., MIP, travel claims, pension fund, advances to governments etc.), journal entries and other financial transactions within scope on a timely basis to the Global Shared Services Center (GSSC), and ensure compliance with budgetary limits, IPSAS and organizational regulations, rules, policies, procedures, standards of accountability, and ethics. Take timely action on outstanding accounts to resolve pending issues. This includes dialogue and follow up with the GSSC to facilitate timely processing of financial transactions submitted to the center.
- Process (as per delegated authority) the disbursement of payments when done locally via bank letters, checks, or petty cash.
2. Cash Forecasting and Payroll Management
- Support the Administrative & Finance Specialist with efficient cash management and bank optimization by compiling comprehensive cash flow forecasts, analyzing cash requirements, and initiating timely cash replenishment based on competitive rates.
- Contribute to enhanced financial decision-making by preparing monthly Bank Optimization Reports.
3. Financial Records Maintenance
- Support the Finance Section in maintaining appropriate VISION and EZHACT workflow and payment processes.
- Support the maintenance of financial records and monitoring systems for day-to-day transactions, expenditures, balances, payments, and statements.
4. Reporting and Bank relations
- Generate recurring reports based on established schedules and specialized reports required for budget preparation, audits, and other purposes.
- Participate in year-end account closure and contribute to the preparation of year-end reports encompassing accounts receivable, accounts payable, prepayments and deposits.
5. Budget Analysis and Cost Estimation
- Assist the Finance Section in reviewing the utilization report and liquidation documents related to Direct Cash Transfers, Reimbursements, and Direct payments, including OMNI.
- Address queries related to recorded pledges, funds received, and adjustments guaranteeing data accuracy and completeness for inclusion in the statement of accounts and budget adjustments.
6. Financial Advisory
- Provide advice and assistance to international staff, experts, and consultants on financial matters, including allowances, salary advances, and travel claims.
- Calculate and authorize payments for claims and services, maintaining accuracy and adherence to regulations.
7. Additional Responsibilities:
Fulfill any other duties assigned by management to contribute to the efficient financial operation of the organization.
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:
Sr Finance Accounts Associate G-7 15700 FT-Final.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
- Education: Completion of secondary education, along with formal training in accounting, financial management or another related financial field is required.
- Experience:
- A minimum of 7 years in one or more of the following areas is required: audit, planning and controls in the area of financial management and accounting.
- A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 4 years of professional experience will be accepted in lieu of 7 years of experience.
- Understanding of principles and standards of accountability and sound application of financial rules and regulations.
- Experience in Data Entry and use of SAP/Vision is an asset.
- Advanced knowledge in the Microsoft Suite of Products (including MS Word, MS Excel & MS PowerPoint), and Intranet/Internet is required.
- Experience with IPSAS and/or IFRS is an asset.
- Language Requirements: Fluency of English and Arabic is essential
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…
- Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
- Works Collaboratively with others (1)
- Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
- Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
- Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
- Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
- Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)
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.
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.
