Budget Officer, (NO-1), LACRO, Panama #90698

The Budget Officer reports to the Regional Chief/Chief Operations or Finance Specialist for close guidance, training and supervision. The Budget Officer provides support to the supervisor and colleagues in the office by administering and executing a variety of technical and professional transactions/initiatives in financial management and services, applying theoretical skills and acquiring thorough knowledge of International Public-Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and organizational goals and objectives, Financial Regulations and Rules, policies and procedures through the performance of tasks.

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, education

How can you make a difference?

• Provide operational and technical assistance in formulation of the financial component of Country Programme Management Plans by preparing/analyzing financial/costs data/estimates and documentations verifying relevancy, accuracy and completeness to support budget planning. Provide financial operations support throughout the financial planning and implementation process.
• Assess budget expenditures to verify compliance to allotments, coding, guidelines and procedures.
• Prepare financial exception reports, highlighting unusual activities and transactions. Research deviations and keep supervisor informed for timely action.
• Review financial and reputational risks in the transactions carried out by the office and raise flags when action is needed by management.
• Where applicable, advise and support PSFR activities on budget preparation, strategic income projection/ reporting, setting and monitoring performance indicators, revenue and expense reporting, and provide technical advice during strategic planning exercises.
• Research, analyze and present information gathered from diverse sources such as peer review of COs, Regional Management Team meetings, trends analysis, etc.
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• Review and analyze data with respect to the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements and in accordance with UNICEF policies and procedures.
• Provide support to OPS managers in LAC country offices during the elaboration of resource requirements and assist in the preparation and submission of budget proposals for Programme Budget Review.
• Prepare regular analysis and reports on regional budget utilization and funding status for regional management oversight
• Ensure that UNICEF policy and procedures and coding are accurately translated into programme budgets.
• Support of effective and efficient budget management systems and processes that meet the requirements of dynamic CO operations, while ensuring full compliance with the UNICEF Financial Rules and Regulations; and the implementation of the International Public-Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), Budget Formulation Tool (BFT), Results Based Budgeting and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) in the regional office and country offices.

• Monitor utilization of the overall Regional Thematic Fund and prepare periodic reports
• Review and make appropriate recommendations with respect to the finalization of budget performance reports, analyze variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures and report deviations.
• Prepare periodic and ad-hoc reports including monthly budget dashboard reports to senior management, Programme Performance Reports (PPR).
• Prepare monthly post incumbency reports, payroll, and update the positions' cost distribution in VISION to ensure correct coding blocks are charged.
• Support COs in the region in topics related to payroll funding.

• Keep up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme budgets, ensuring compliance with United Nations accounting standards (IPSAS) as well as policies and procedures.
• Provide guidance to staff/managers with respect to transaction processing in VISION as well as inSight reports utilization, and other Business Intelligence (BI) reports.
• Produce quality data visualizations and infographics from inSight/VISION or endorsed data sources on a regular basis for analysis, communication, and enhancing accountability purposes.
• Validate financial data linked to UNICEF results for reporting and use of LAC COs, as well as monitor the use of common open data standards, such as the International Aid Transparency Initiative and inSight data cubes.
• Draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) capturing key information or actions stated in circulars, budget proposals and other official correspondence with the participation of staff in the office for easy adoption.
• Prepare information for audit exercises and follow up on assigned recommendations until fully closed

• Contribute to the promotion of a culture of highest ethical standards and behavior in the management of UNICEF’s resources via sharing of good practices throughout the region.
• Recommend improvements in processes and procedures to enhance productivity and performance including implementation of cost saving strategies.
• Participate and/or organize training and learning events to build capacity of finance staff and stakeholders/partners.
• Develop training materials and user manuals; train staff in the use of systems (inSight, Power BI, IATI, VISION, BFT, etc.)
• Advise internal and external users and others about access to VISION reporting, communications and data visualization platforms.

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

• A first university degree in accounting, financial management or another related financial field is required. Supplemental formal financial / accounting training may be accepted if university degree is not in a related financial field. Diploma qualification in CIPFA is acceptable in lieu of relevant university degree, or its equivalent.
• One year of professional experience in financial management or budget is required.
• Experience in an international organization and/or large corporation is an asset.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel required.
• 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.
• Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

The competencies required for this post are….

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

• Communication (I)
• Working with people (I)
• Drive for results (II) 

• Analyzing (I)
• Applying technical expertise (II)
• Planning and organizing (II)
• Following Instructions and Procedures (II)

View our competency framework at: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

Remarks:

• This vacancy is for Panamanian Nationals only.
• UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
• 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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.