Finance & Budget Associate (GS-6), FT, # 00013098, Programme Support Unit, PD - New York HQ

Under the supervision and guidance of the Finance & Budget Officer you will be responsible for executing a broad variety of procedural and specialized financial and budget tasks for the Division, requiring in-depth knowledge of UNICEF financial and budget procedures, processes and policies.

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.

Programme Division provides global technical leadership, influences global policy issues, enhances sectoral capacity and supports technical assistance for the field.  PD also shape internal policy and practice in priority areas, supports UNICEF engag​e ment in key programme partnerships and is a key collaborat​ing Division for fund-raising. PD also has an important role in technical talent management. PD promotes a management approach that fosters strong links with Regional and Country offices and enhances cross-sectoral and inter-divisional synergies.

For every child, a fair chance.…

Under the supervision and guidance of the Finance & Budget Specialist, you will be responsible for executing a broad variety of procedural and specialized financial and budget tasks for the Division, requiring in-depth knowledge of UNICEF financial and budget procedures, processes and policies. In addition, incumbent will be responsible for strengthening of PD’s risk assurance and compliance efforts with high level of independence.

How can you make a difference?

Finance, Budget and Compliance support

• Support on all aspects related to budget allocation, monitoring, and reporting, compilation of data and answering queries on funds received, adjustments made to ensure financial compliance, accuracy and completeness of data for its inclusion into statement of accounts and adjustment of budgets.
• Provide support on budget revision/preparation, implementation status, determination position of funding utilization, operational and financial closure.
• Monitor of the allocation and disbursement of programme funds and making sure that funds are properly coordinated, monitored and utilized.
• Manage the PD Budget/Grants including regular contacts with DFAM to resolve issues related to Grant management (allotment, extension request, reports).
• Ensure quality check and compliance of rules and regulation for all payments (including DCT processing) for PD, to elaboration of work process (SOP) for PD transactions.
• Ensure compliance and internal control of Operation / Finance policy, rules and regulations including implementation & sustainability of Audit/Internal Control recommendations.
• Prepare detailed cost estimates, and participates in budget analysis and projects, as required.
• Collect and analyse information on programme implementation progress and Grant expenditure;
• Take appropriate recommendations or actions to optimize use of PD funds.

Support Year End closure, Key Performance Indicators and Reports

• Contribute to monthly and year-end closure of accounts and assist in the preparation of year-end reports related to accounts receivable and pre-payments, accounts payable, Gl open items, staff PAR and other closure activities posted under PD.
• Prepare inputs for management indicators on monthly basis for PDMT meeting; 
• The incumbent will share management indicators to PDMT on monthly basis and proactively follow up with sections highlighting areas for action (e.g. expiring grants) including monitoring the overall open commitments.
• Prepare recurring scheduled and special reports, as required for budget preparation, audits or other reasons.
• Assist in the preparation of the monthly and year-end reconciliations and closing procedures related to accounts receivable, accounts payable, prepayment, deposits, etc.

Administrative Support

• Identify discrepancies and assist sections to resolve any differences in their records.
• Monitor systematically the Accounts Payable and the Accounts Receivable and ensure recovery of amount due from Staff members.
• Select and enters data from a wide variety of documents, verifying and ensuring accuracy by checking sources, making necessary calculations and assuring inclusion of all relevant data.
• Maintain financial records and monitoring systems to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, payments, statements and other data for day-to-day transactions and reports.
• Initiates correspondence to verify data, answers queries and obtains additional information on accounts and financial transactions, as required.
• Organize and provides training and guidance to colleagues on broader aspects of finance and budget procedures.
• Perform other duties, as required. 

To qualify as a champion for every child, the candidate must have…

• Completion of Secondary Education (i.e. High School Diploma) is required.
• Professional/university level courses in Accounting and Finance/Business administration considered as an asset
• A minimum of six (6) years of providing support work experience in the area of finance, budget and accounting is required.
• Working knowledge of UNICEF programme policies and administrative and financial procedures is desirable.
• Passing the GGST Exam (Global General Service Test) or UN ASAT in English is required.
• Non-US candidates must be in possession of an existing US G4 visa or be a US permanent resident/citizen.
• Fluency in English (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…

UNICEF’s core values of Care, Respective, Integrity, Trust and Accountability.

To view our new competency framework, please click: Here

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

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.