UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, the right to a Future
How can you make a difference?
The United States Government represents one of UNICEF's largest donor portfolios. Effective management of reimbursement-based funding and receivables is critical to UNICEF's global liquidity, donor compliance, and financial stewardship. Under the general supervision of the Finance Specialist, you ill be responsible for analyzing quarterly U.S. expenditure reports, preparing drawdown files in accordance with the guidance issued by the respective U.S. Bureaus, and processing drawdowns through the U.S. Payments Management System (PMS). The role further includes contributing to the preparation of reports related to the US portfolio and providing other related support as required.
- Monitor completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of US transactions posted in the Grants Module (VISION) to ensure that the US grants are created correctly, the revenue and receivables are recorded correctly and in a timely manner, and the US funding receipts are promptly and correctly recorded in the Unapplied receipts GL.
- Identify and promptly flag errors on the US grants and coordinate with the GSSC to ensure timely and accurate corrections in the Grants Module.
- Analyze the US quarterly expenditure reports and provide information and additional data to ensure the accuracy, completeness and readiness of the PMS files in compliance with the requirements for each US Bureau.
- Submit and process drawdowns in the US Payments Management System and provide additional information required to certify the payment requests and/or required prior to approval of payments.
- Coordinate with PPR to provide the additional information required by each US Bureau and address additional clarifications as required.
- Work closely with DRU team member leading the US donor financial reporting in preparation of quarterly reports, final certified statements.
- Prepare summary reports for the funds drawn and identify customer codes for the GSSC Cashier’s team to ensure timely and correct recording of the receipts.
- Review and analyze US grant transactions, receivables, unapplied receipts, and outstanding balances, identifying discrepancies and recommending corrective actions.
- Monitor the receivables on the US grants and ensure the timely application of the receipts and the write down of the receivables upon financial closure and/or termination of the US Awards.
- Prepare management reports showing the status of funds received, applied, follow- up action taken and escalation points.
- Provide technical support and advice to field offices/HQ/divisions on grants management matters in compliance with UNICEF’s FRRs, policy and procedure and the donor conditionalities.
- Contribute to strengthening internal controls, compliance with UNICEF Financial Regulations and Rules (FRRs), and adherence to donor-specific requirements.
- Provide input to and perform analysis for unit monitoring files, dashboards and tracking.
- Provide inputs for system enhancements and perform other related duties as required.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- For every Child, you demonstrate... UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values UNICEF competencies required for this post are… (1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels. UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status. UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance. UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially. UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments are conditional on the selected candidates willingness to comply with current or future vaccination requirements, should UNICEF mandate it for personnel. Failure to comply with such requirements, where applicable and without a duly approved medical exemption from the relevant UN authority, will result in the cancellation of the selection or may lead to other administrative measures, including separation from service. Remarks: As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable are encouraged to apply. Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information. Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities. All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates. Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.- Education: A first-level university degree in accounting, financial management or another related financial field is required. Professional Accounting or Auditing Qualification (such as Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant, or equivalent) or an Advanced degree in accounting or a related field, including MBA, is desirable.
- Work Experience: Minimum two years’ experience in positions of increasing responsibility in the field of accounting, preferably in financial donor reporting and financial management of grants.
- Skills: Strong knowledge of VISION (SAP) as well as advanced analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and support in the presentation of data and results to support Finance Specialist presentations and work. High proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, advanced formulas, data validation, lookups, and data modelling). Solid command of the full Microsoft Office suite, including Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Experience working with SharePoint for document management, collaboration, and workflow coordination.
- Language Requirements: - Proficiency in English is required.
- Desirables
- Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
- Professional Accounting or Auditing Qualification (such as Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant, or equivalent) or an Advanced degree in accounting or a related field, including MBA, is desirable. Knowledge of the US Government financial management and US Payments Management System is desirable. Working knowledge of Power BI, including data transformation, dashboard creation, and visualization and best practices.
- Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.
