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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, the right to to wellbeing
In Burundi, UNICEF has a very diverse portfolio of responsibilities but all with the same objective which is to assist the Government and other stakeholders to fulfill children’s economic, social, cultural, political, and civil rights. The UNICEF country program in Burundi aims to improve the lives of children and women in the following key areas: Child and maternal health, Nutrition, Education, Child Protection, Water, sanitation and hygiene, Social Policy and Advocacy, Adolescent empowerment and community resilience, and Humanitarian response. https://youtu.be/ZS713LNR9TU
How can you make a difference?
The Accounting and Finance Assistant will be responsible for providing a variety of tasks in finance functions, ensuring accurate and timely delivery that is in compliance with UNICEF financial rules and regulations. Ensuring accurate and timely delivery of Value Added Taxes (VAT) reimbursements requests to be submitted to the Burundi Government Authority, whilst demonstrating the capacity to navigate and adapt to complex administrative procedures.
The Finance Officer provides supervision and guidance in the management of tasks and priorities as well as ensuring updated policies/procedures are understood and implemented with the following key functions:
- Prepare and submit, monthly, all VAT reimbursement requests to the Burundi Authority Revenue, maintain liaison with the Burundi Authority Revenue UNICEF focal points to obtain information on reimbursement requests status. Responds to queries and reintroduce, if any, reimbursement transactions returned/rejected.
- Function as the main cashier custodian and when authorized, make disbursement from Petty Cash funds, maintain records of the disbursements and balances accounts, as required.
- Assist in the review for compliance with the rules of all documents submitted to Finance and assist in preparation of periodic accounting records by recording receipts of DCT refund and disbursements (ledgers, cash books, vouchers, etc.) and reconciling data for recurring or special reports.
- Provide support in the monthly and year-end account closure, assist in the preparation of year-end reports related to accounts receivable, accounts payable, prepayment, deposits, etc.
- Provide support in the preparation of recurring reports such as schedules and special reports, as required for budget preparation, audits or other reasons.
- Organize and ensure a proper filing system is in place for all finance documents. Arrange for appropriate archive and destruction in accordance with organizational guidelines.
- Performs other duties as requires
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: 
132608 Accounting and Finance Assistant G5.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
- Education: Completion of secondary education is required.
- Work Experience: At least 5 years relevant finance and accounting work experience, which includes cash handling and responsible administrative work.
- Skills : Hands-on experience in SAP financial modules; Hands-on experience in office software packages and web-based management systems; Ability to operate calculators or other machines used to maintain accounts.
- Language Requirements: Fluency in French is required
Desirables:
- University degree/specialized certification/university level courses in finance, accounting, business administration or other relevant academic discipline is preferred.
- Experience in the UN system agency or any international organization is preferred.
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 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 Female candidates and people with disability 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.
