Finance Manager – United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

About the Organization

UNICEF, originally called the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund in full, now officially United Nations Children's Fund, is an agency of the United Nations responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide

Job Description

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is mandated by the UN general assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

Job Summary: The Finance Manager reports to the Deputy Representative Operations for general direction and guidance. The Manager is responsible for providing support to the Regional Chief/Chief of Operations in managing, monitoring and overseeing the full range of financial services in support of program and operational activities (i.e. financial planning, disbursements of funds and payments, treasury and accounting, financial analysis and reporting of resources), ensuring compliance of all financial operations with organizational plans, policies, procedures, guidelines, standards of performance, ethics, and integrity.
The Finance Manager, when supervising support staff, will be responsible for planning and guiding work in progress and for reviewing work completed by subordinate staff to verify accuracy and compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), UNICEF Financial Regulation and Rules, policies, procedures, guidelines, standards of accountability, and ethics.

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Duties and Responsibilities

Support to Financial Planning and Management: Prepare and analyze financial data to facilitate planning, review budget implementation, provide technical support on financial policies, evaluate financial risks, and monitor financial transactions. Support program counterparts with budget and financial plans.
Control of Accounts: Process and review payments, manage cash receipts, monitor financial transactions, prepare financial reports, collaborate with oversight bodies, and ensure timely completion of accounts closure activities.
Treasury and Cash Management: Manage bank and cash transactions, maintain cash forecasts, negotiate with local banks, and ensure sufficient resources for programs and operations.

Knowledge and Capacity Building: Promote ethical standards, share best practices, organize training events, and support office operations.
Management of Unit: Assist in establishing annual work plans, monitor work progress, set performance targets, and provide guidance to the team.

Qualification, Experiences and Competencies

Education: A valid professional certification (CA; CPA; etc.) from an internationally recognized, accredited chartered accountancy institution is required, along with a first level (Bachelor’s) university degree; or an advanced university degree (Master’s) in financial management related fields such as Accountancy or Finance or their equivalent; or an advanced diploma qualification in CIPFA or its equivalent with other internationally recognized institutions.

Work Experience:

A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in financial management or audits in an international organization and/or large corporation is required.
Experience in a UN system agency or organization some of which served in a developing country is considered as 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 considered as an asset.
Experience with IPSAS and/or IFRS is considered as an asset.
Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required

Desirables:

Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
UNICEF’s Core Values: 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…
Builds and maintains partnerships
Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
Drive to achieve results for impact
Innovates and embraces change
Manages ambiguity and complexity
Thinks and acts strategically
Works collaboratively with others
Nurtures, leads and manages people.