MDGi Programme Budget Monitoring and Reporting Specialist, P-3, TA (Open for Non Zambians Only)

This is an exciting opportunity to provide technical support in budget monitoring, financial and narrative reporting for the MDGi programme. If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Position

To provide technical support in budget monitoring, financial and narrative reporting for the MDGi programme.

Key Accountabilities and Duties & Tasks 

The Budget Monitoring and Reporting Specialist (TA) will be required to complete the following tasks:

 1. Budgetary and Financial Utilization Overview and Support

• Assist in dissemination of UNICEF Standard Operating Procedures for financial disbursements and liquidations to MDGi implementing partners with support from Programme Assistant;
• Receive and quality assure financial reports from districts and other implementing partners and liaise with Management and the Programme Assistant to facilitate disbursement of funds;
• Monitor disbursement and utilization of programme funds by MDGi implementing partners with support from Programme Assistant, and prepare updates on utilization rates as required;
• Collate financial utilization reports from MDGi implementing partners and liaise closely with the Operations Section in ensuring the correctness of entries (for reference/reporting/auditing purposes);
• Liaise with UNICEF Brussels for quality assurance of financial and general reporting documents before submission to the EU;
• Liaise with firm contracted to audit MDGi implementing partners, engaging in troubleshooting and problem solving as necessary and alerting Senior Management to problems in a timely manner.
• Support follow up of cash transfers to partners and government in line with UNICEF procedures.
• Provide financial monitoring and reporting technical support to partners and government as appropriate.
• Analyze and share periodic status of utilization of funds per expenditure category in line with EUD guidelines.

2.Reporting:

• Manage the process of submission of donor narrative and financial reports, requests for amendments ensuring that the UNICEF and EU submission guidelines and procedures for quality and timeliness are respected and implemented;
• Provide quality control and editorial support, including editing and rewriting documents as needed and ensuring all content is factual and grammatically correct;
• Draft and finalize high quality analytical and summary reports, documents, briefing notes, newsletters and other MDGi related materials and/or presentations for sharing with internal and external audiences as and when required.
• Prepare financial and narrative updates and document sets for internal and external MDGi meetings;
• Prepare financial and narrative reports for submission to the donor, UNICEF and government as per contribution agreement;

 3. MDGi Programme Monitoring and Internal Coordination Support:

• Support day-to-day tracking and documentation of progress updates collected from internal UNICEF communications with support from MDGi Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (within country office team, with regional office, with HQ and with Brussels teams) as well as from UNICEF team consultations with the EU Delegation to Zambia, with Government of Zambia entities at national, provincial and district level as well as with UN sister agencies;
• Coordinate with the MDGi Programme assistant for monitoring and archiving of all financial and administrative documents linked to the MDGi programme electronically and in hard copies. Updated knowledge bank on Zambia Country Office (ZCO) shared drive.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate 

• Master's degree in one of the following areas: Social Sciences, Economics, International Development or related field;
• At least five years of professional work experience in international organizations on complex programs with focus on grant management, budgeting, donor reporting and editing required.

Specialized knowledge and Experience

• High level of fluency in written and spoken English;
• Advanced user level competency of MS Office suite required;
• Outstanding skills in Excel, including data analysis and development of charts and graphs, required;
• Demonstrated experience in working in international development with government partners, international organizations and donors;
• Proven documentation and knowledge management for EU-funded projects required;
• Ability to research, analyze, evaluate and synthesize information;
• Proven ability to express ideas and concepts in written and oral form clearly and concisely; excellent skills in report writing and editing;
• Knowledge of EU contractual procedures for development funding desirable;
• Prior experience of working in Africa would be an asset;
• Excellent team work skills.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

Core Values 

• Commitment 
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Integrity

Core competencies

• Communication  (II)
• Working with People  (II)
• Drive for Result  (II)

Functional Competencies

• Leading and Supervising  (II)
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts  (II)
• Analyzing  (II)
• Applying Technical Expertise  (II)
• Planning and Organizing (II) 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.