Budget & Finance Specialist, P3, # 99161, Geneva

The Budget & Finance Specialist reports to the Regional Chief of Operations for general direction and guidance. The specialist is responsible for providing support to Regional Chief of Operations, and works closely with the Deputy Regional Director, monitoring and overseeing the full range of financial and budget services in support of program and operational activities. These services will cover accounting control, financial analysis, recording, liabilities, receipt and utilization. Moreover, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring the office’s [COs in the region, RO including the outpost and the non-programme countries] funds including financial transactions and disbursement of funds are effectively managed and monitored in compliance with organizational plans, policies, procedures, guidelines and standards of performance, ethics and integrity.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for every child, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children's rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential – to the benefit of a better world. Learn more about UNICEF's work - Watch this video!

For every child, Purpose...

The Budget & Finance Specialist reports to the Regional Chief of Operations for general direction and guidance. The specialist is responsible for providing support to Regional Chief of Operations, and works closely with the Deputy Regional Director, monitoring and overseeing the full range of financial and budget services in support of program and operational activities. These services will cover accounting control, financial analysis, recording, liabilities, receipt and utilization. Moreover, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring the office's [COs in the region, RO including the outpost and the non-programme countries] funds including financial transactions and disbursement of funds are effectively managed and monitored in compliance with organizational plans, policies, procedures, guidelines and standards of performance, ethics and integrity. 


How can you make a difference?


1. Policy, procedures and strategies:

i. As a technical specialist in the budget & finance area, accountable for the correct and consistent application of policies and procedures in the management of financial & budgetary functions through the provision of technical guidance and support to the regional and country offices, as applicable.
ii. Provide technical inputs to the establishment of financial guidelines in close coordination with the Deputy Regional Director, Regional Chief of Operations and DFAM.
iii. Support the strengthening of internal controls and enhancement of staff capacity on the application and interpretation of UN/UNICEF accounting and financial rules, regulations, procedures, systems and policies – particularly with donor conditions, utilization and other financial conditions.
iv. Maintain work processes in line with VISION, update / develop SOPs for Finance based on SAP, conduct periodic orientation activities for newly recruited finance staff and other staff members in the region on financial and budgetary processes and procedures
v. To support the Regional Chief of Operations in the follow-up actions on Country audit reports and put in place and maintain appropriate internal control systems as stipulated in the audit recommendations.
vi. Brief staff on the application and interpretation of UN/UNICEF accounting and financial rules, regulations, procedures and policies. Develop draft procedures as required on areas where clarity is needed.

2. Financial management:

i. Monitor financial transactions, accounting reports, reconciliation of accounts and review budget status reports to ensure accurate and timely provision of financial information.
ii. Prepare required periodical reports and statements for RO and COs in the region ensuring that the set deadlines are met. Review budget expenditures against approved allotments and reconcile with reports from the Dashboard and HQs.
iii. Advise and recommend to the Regional Chief of Operations when deviation from the rules and regulations may be required and propose alternative solutions through the Regional Director to HQ to meet office objectives.
iv. Keep supervisors abreast of any potential problem areas, while identifying and recommending solutions.

3. Budget management:

i. Monitor the budget in close coordination with the Regional Chief of Operations and the Deputy Regional Director to ensure that objectives stipulated early in the fiscal year are realized for smooth operation of the Regional Office where applicable.
ii. Recommend and prepare any applicable estimates on office premises, supplies and equipment requirements for budget preparation purposes. Prepare, monitor and review the programmatic, operational and cross sectoral budget.
iii. Review budget expenditures against approved allotments, and verify compliance with reports received from HQs. Prepare and analyze financial data for budget estimates and financial planning.

4. Contributions Management:

i. Review complex grant and funding agreements to ensure adherence to UNICEF financial regulations and rules, policies and directives
ii. Assist in process analysis and system/procedural/reporting improvements.
iii. Be responsible for all contribution management tasks in the Regional Team cluster for contributions from assigned donors
iv. As required, prepare analysis of outstanding, complex grant and funding agreements which need to be resolved with donors. Assist the Deputy Regional Director and Operations Manager in ad-hoc requests for analysis related to grant and funding agreements from stakeholders.

5. Implementing Partnerships (HACT):

To support the Implementing Partnerships Specialist (P4) in the following HACT related:
i. Establish and monitor the quality implementation of the HACT assurance activities (micro-evaluations, audit and spot checks) and recommend the HACT modalities to be applied to IPs based on their global risk assessment agreed upon with the IPs.
ii. Planning and facilitating HACT refresher training on the cash transfer procedures for Implementing partners and staff.
iii. When necessary, support country offices to undertake periodic visits to Partners to share updated information and address significant problems which require their close attention.

6. Partnership, coordination and collaboration:

i. Assist the Regional Chief of Operations in the facilitating and maintaining effective working relations with other agencies and implementing partners relating to Budget & Finance matters for enhancement of information exchange, collaboration, and harmonization.
ii. Cooperate and coordinate with other UN agency counterparts in the UN reform initiatives (including common services and premises agenda, etc.).

7. Performs any other duties and responsibilities assigned as required:

i. Ensure provision of quality services to clients in a timely and cost effective manner, while performing any additional duties and responsibilities assigned in conformance with the policy, standards, rules and regulations.

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

- An advanced university degree (Master's) in Accounting, Business Administration, Financial Management, Economics, or a directly-related technical field(s) is required. A valid professional financial certification (CA; CPA; etc.) from an accredited chartered accountancy institution, in conjunction with a relevant first-level (Bachelor's) university degree (as identified above), may be taken in lieu of an advanced university degree.

- A minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience in Budget and Finance, or a directly-related field(s), with direct involvement in budget systems and management in an international organization, is required.

- Prior hands-on experience in a UN system agency or similar international organization, some of which was served in a developing country, is an asset.

- Experience in database packages, web based management systems and ERP systems (preferably SAP financial modules) is an asset.

- Experience with IPSAS and/or IFRS is an asset.

- Knowledge and experience in an Enterprise Resource Planning system (i.e. SAP) is highly desirable.

- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel required.

- Fluency in English and French (verbal and written) is required. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is considered an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity & Inclusion, and Integrity as well as the following core and functional competencies:

• Has highest-level communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking (Communication – Level 2).
• Creates and encourages a climate of team-working and collaboration in a multi-cultural environment (Working with People – Level 2).
• Consistently achieves high-level results, managing and delivering projects on-time and on-budget (Drive for Results – Level 2).
  Sets, develops and revises organizational strategy and develops clear visions of the organization's future potential (Formulating Strategies and Concepts – Level 2).
  
• Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources (Analyzing – Level 2).
• Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise (Applying Technical Expertise - Level 3).
• Sets clearly defined objectives and plans activities for self, own team or department (Planning & Organizing - Level 2).

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

This position is classified as "rotational," which means the incumbent is expected to rotate to another duty station upon completion of their tour of duty.

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.