Internal Vacancy: Finance Officer, NO 2, Fixed Term, Dakar, Senegal Country Office (open for National of Senegal)

Under the general supervision of the Admin and Finance Specialist, the incumbent manages the area of accounting control, financial transaction recording, reporting of assets, liabilities and income. While ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations, the incumbent monitors the appropriate disbursements of funds and payments of accounts in compliance with organizational policies, office strategy, International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), UNICEF Financial and ethics

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.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose for the job:

Under the general supervision of the Admin and Finance Specialist, the incumbent manages the area of accounting control, financial transaction recording, reporting of assets, liabilities and income. While ensuring effective and timely delivery that is consistent with UNICEF rules and regulations, the incumbent monitors the appropriate disbursements of funds and payments of accounts in compliance with organizational policies, office strategy, International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), UNICEF Financial and ethics. 

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

1. Support to financial planning and management

• Provide technical support to the programme counterparts/committees, e.g. review budgets and financial plans of implementing partners; monitor compliance with HACT framework, including support to assessments, assurance and capacity development of implementing partners.
• Prepare and/or monitor financial exception reports to assess unusual activities and transactions, investigate anomalies, and keep supervisor informed for timely action.
• Collaborates with programme section heads in creating and maintaining cost distributions for payroll, ensuring adherence to funding sources/budget categories as per the Post Authorization Table. Monitors draft payroll to assure appropriate consistency and appropriateness of payroll calculations and communicate with payroll unit at HQ to ensure timely payroll processing. Also oversees payroll preparation to assure accuracy of data relevant to overtime or recoveries.
• Assist in reviewing budget expenditures according to allotment and codes and verify compliance with guidelines and procedures. Keep stakeholders informed for timely action.

2. Control of accounts

• Process and/or review (as per delegated authority) the accurate and timely processing submission of payments (e.g. MIP, travel claims, pension fund, advances to governments etc.), journal entries and other financial transactions within scope to the Global Shared Services Center (GSSC), ensuring compliance with budgetary limits, IPSAS and organizational regulations, rules, policies, procedures, standards of accountability, and ethics. Take timely action on outstanding accounts to resolve pending issues. This includes dialogue and follow up with the GSSC to facilitate timely processing of financial transactions submitted to the center.
• Process/supervise (as per delegated authority) the disbursement of payments when done locally via transfers, checks, or petty cash.
• Process and supervise cash receipts and reconcile income contributions to ensure their timely deposit and r2ecording in UNICEF systems.
•  Monitor and analyze financial transactions, accounting reports and reconciliation of accounts to ensure accurate and current financial information for applicable compliance (e.g. IPSAS, donor reporting, internal policies) and management oversight, planning and/or action.
• Prepare monthly and annual closure of accounts. With regard to oversight of General Ledger, analyze residual open items in General Ledger account balances. Match and clear open items. 
•  Collaborate with oversight bodies (e.g. UNBOA, OIAI, Evaluation Office, JIU, donors, etc.) to provide answers to requests; and engage with the appropriate colleagues to resolve financial observations and recommendations raised in a sustainable and efficient manner.
• Examine DCT transactions (transfer, adjustments, reprogramming and liquidation) supporting documents for completeness and accuracy of coding of DCT and vendor payments before posting to ensure FACE form has been properly entered into the system and the expenditure is broadly reasonable and in accordance with policy.
• Verifies checks, wires prior to submission to signatories.

3. Treasury and cash management

• Manage bank accounts transactions and operations in accordance with UNICEF/UN financial regulations and rules, policies, procedures and local banking practices. Keep abreast of procedures and regulations regarding maintenance of bank accounts and exchange and interest rates. Keep supervisor and relevant colleagues informed for timely action.
• Serves as primary liaison with the bank and maintain contact with local bank management on routine operational matters.
• Maintain a system to monitor and forecast periodic cash requirements (bank optimization project). Provide current information on cash position/forecast to management and make recommendations or take action to ensure availability of resources for programmes and operations activities.
• Submit monthly bank statements to the GSSC for reconciliation and take appropriate corrective actions on findings identified by the Center. Investigate and resolve reconciling items for bank reconciliation a two-month time frame.
• Oversees petty cash fund disbursements, recording and accounting. Serves as certifying officer for petty cash. Assures that there are monthly cash counts as well as impromptu/unscheduled cash counts.
• Responsible for the safekeeping of cash, wires and checks.

4. Knowledge and capacity building

• Provide technical and operational support on the application, interpretation and implementation of operational policies, procedures and guidelines to the Representative and CO colleagues and stakeholders. Coach and supervise of finance colleagues.
• Resolve routine financial operational issues and/or recommend (and record) deviation from policies and guidelines to meet objectives.
• Use VISION system as appropriate, provide training and orientation to staff on its use and coordinates with ICT team and Global Help Desk/Service Manager system on technical adjustments or irregularities as needed.
• Promote a culture of highest ethical standards and behavior in management of UNICEF’s resources.
•  Support initiatives for management improvement by capturing, institutionalizing and sharing best practices and lessons learned. 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 staff and stakeholders/partners.
• Support operations of the office as required.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

Competencies and level of proficiency required

Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability

Core Competencies

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

Functional Competencies:

• Analyzing (2)
• Applying technical expertise (2)
• Planning and Organizing (2)
• Following Instructions and Procedures (2)           

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

Recruitment Qualifications

Education: University degree in Accounting, Finance or business Administration.

Experience: Two years of professional work experience in Finance and Accounting. Experience in an international organization desirable. Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel required. Experience in database packages, web-based management systems and ERP systems (preferably SAP financial modules) is considered as an asset. Experience with IPSAS and/or IFRS is considered as an asset.

Language Requirements: Fluency in French and working knowledge of English required. Knowledge of local language is an asset.

Remarks:

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

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