Budget Officer, (NO-2) FT, Caracas, Venezuela.

Under the general supervision of the Deputy Representative Operations, contributes to contribution management, planning, monitoring, allocation, coding, data analysis, fund utilization and progress reporting and capacity building for programme staff and new staff as required.

UNICEF is a leading humanitarian and development agency working globally for the rights of every child. Child rights begin with safe shelter, nutrition, protection from disaster and conflict and traverse the life cycle: pre-natal care for healthy births, clean water and sanitation, health care and education. UNICEF has spent nearly 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Working with and for children through adolescence and into adulthood requires a global presence whose goal is to produce results and monitor their effects. UNICEF also lobbies and partners with leaders, thinkers and policy makers to help all children realize their rights— especially the most disadvantaged.

Purpose for the job

Under the general supervision of the Deputy Representative Operations, contributes to contribution management, planning, monitoring, allocation, coding, data analysis, fund utilization and progress reporting and capacity building for programme staff and new staff as required.

I. Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

1. Participate in office fund management and contribution management efforts by providing support to the Partnerships Specialist and Deputy Representative. Supervise the "transaction hub" team to ensure smooth, accurate and timely processing of all VISION/SAP transactions for the Venezuela country office.
2. Structure and code the annual programme budget, and supervise its updates, including coding of new allocations. This will be done by assisting Programme Staff in preparing budgets to reflect the respective Country Programme Documents. Collect and analyze budget and financial data for programme/project planning, management, monitoring and evaluation purposes.
3. Review the accuracy of VISION generated data. Responsible for accuracy of financial data and information. Analyze and produce programme implementation reports and evaluate in relation to the established programme recommendations and plans of actions. Report the outcome of analyses and propose corrective actions.
4. Participate in the development of the office work plan, annual management plan, and donor proposals as required. Monitor compliance to ensure fund management objectives and targets are met and achieved - ensuring that performance dashboards and indicators are updated regularly.
5. Guide professional and support staff in budget preparation and financial reporting. Advise programme sections on financial rules and regulations. Assist in ensuring their orientation and training needs are met and provide on-the-job training; also, by selecting and compiling training and orientation materials for budgeting and financial reporting.
6. Monitor commitments and expenditures to ensure timely, accurate, and appropriate management information provided on programme budget, allocations, commitments, expenditures, and projections; to ensure errors and discrepancies are detected and corrected.

1. Coordinate with HQ and programme sections incoming funds, grant creation, extension and adjustments as well as reallocations; monitor conditionality and deviations.
2. Supervise and ensure the preparation of monitoring reports (donor utilization reports, VISION management reports, and presentations) and share with relevant staff. 
3. Review and analyze reports and recommended actions to be taken to maximize the efficiency of the office's fund utilization. Assist management and programme staff in allocation and reallocation of funds. Conduct regular review and reconciliation of grants; provide analysis by using management indicators. 
4. Carry out annual budget adjustment as required. Alert the management and section heads on low utilization and recommend budget realocation based on the trend analysis. Bring key issues to management’s attention and recommend solutions.

7. Ensure smooth operation of the programme monitoring systems and institutional memory by tracking and saving all contribution related documents. 

II. Skills:

Analytical and conceptual ability; communication skills.

Planning and monitoring skills; ability to organize work and projects

Ability to make timely and quality judgements and decisions.

Computer skills, experience working in SAP

Commitment to continuous learning for professional development.

Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relations both within and outside the organization.

Initiative, passion and commitment to UNICEF mission and professional values. 

III. Recruitment Qualifications

Education: University degree in Social Sciences, Business Administration, Financial Management, Economics, or another related technical field.

Experience: A minimum two years progressively responsible experience in programme design, administration and budget management.

Language requirement: Fluency in Spanish and English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

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.