National Operations Associate, at General Service level 6 on Fixed Term, Dushanbe, Tajikistan (for Tajik nationals only)

UNICEF Tajikistan is looking for qualified candidates to provide a variety of specialized tasks in finance and HR, ensuring accurate and timely delivery in compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, whilst demonstrating the capacity to research, adapt and evaluate irregular cases, and also to recommend improvements to process delivery and design.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, 

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, 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.

How can you make a difference?

The Operations Associate will be responsible for providing a variety of specialized tasks in finance and HR, ensuring accurate and timely delivery in compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, 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. Finance & Budget:
• Supports the Finance team in liaising with officials of local banks to obtain day-to-day information on exchange and interest rates, changes in procedures and regulations, and matters pertaining to maintenance of office bank accounts. This includes preparation of payment orders through online banking and submission of invoices through service gateway, management of internal invoice record system, including the review of monthly financial schedules.
• Conducts monthly bank reconciliations of all accounts and serves as a focal point for resolving item-related issues with the GSSC
• Timely records of refunds and contributions from partners in the system (eZHACT)
• Prepares detailed cost estimates for operation needs, raising soft commitments, monitors the budget and conducts cost analysis, and assists with budget allocation requests.
• Supports in raising and reconciling debit advices for common services.
• Assists Program sections with maintenance of partnerships with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in e-tools.
• Regularly informs the teams on the status of the outstanding cash transfers to partners.
• Supports with the planning of HACT assurance activities for Implementing Partners (IPs) and participates in the review of assurance activity reports of IPs.

2. HR support:

HR support:

• Drafts and posts vacancy announcements for Individual Consultancy assignments using the Talent Management System.
• Liaises with candidates in the various stages of the recruitment process to update, request or provide information pertaining to individual consultancies.
• Supports consolidation of technical and financial evaluations for consultant recruitments. Prepares formal acknowledgment, offer, and regret letters pertaining to individual consultancies.
• Initiates and follows up on reference checks and academic verifications when required and ensures the completion of other background checks in relation to the engagement of Individual consultants.
• Prepares and compiles the complete set of documentation for the issuance of the contract including mandatory trainings and related forms.
• Supports the onboarding and orientation of consultants.
• Supports the development and maintenance of consultants’ rosters, for various functional areas.
• Compiles and maintains a list of staff, monitors leaves/attendance records, submits HR-related cases through Service Gateway, and performs other tasks as requested by line managers

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Education: Completion of secondary education is required with professional/university-level courses in Accounting and Finance/Business administration, or HR considered as an asset
• Experience:

  1. A minimum of 6 years of clerical experience in the area of finance/accounting or HR is required with secondary education.

  2. A minimum 3 years of related work experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance/Business administration, HR or other relevant field from a recognized academic institution

  3. A minimum 1 year of related work experience with a Master's degree in Accounting and Finance/Business administration, HR or other relevant field from a recognized academic institution
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Tajik is required. Knowledge of Russian 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

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.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Application:

The candidates, who are interested to apply for the position, should follow the electronic application's instructions. It requires the applicant to upload a detailed CV and copy of academic degrees/diplomas, and at least two latest performance evaluation reports.

Remarks:

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.