The Budget Specialist, when advising and guiding 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.

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. 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 personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, a future

How can you make a difference? 

Organizational Context and Purpose for the job

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favouritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Job organizational context:

The Budget Specialist reports to the Regional Chief of Planning for general direction and guidance and has a matrix relationship with Regional Chief of Operations. The Specialist is responsible for providing support to the Regional Chief of Planning in managing, monitoring and overseeing the overall budget and grant management functions in the region in support of programme and operational activities (i.e. budget planning, budget aspects of partnership proposals and donor reporting, and grant management and managing risks around affordability and resource management   ), ensuring compliance of all related financial operations with organizational plans, policies, procedures, guidelines, standards of performance, ethics, and integrity.

The Budget Specialist, when advising and guiding 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.

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

Budget planning and management:

• Provide technical and operational support throughout the work planning, budgeting and implementation processes.
• Monitor grants under negotiations, grant allocation, budget utilization and underfunded programmes, regularly conducting analysis of the affordability of Regional Office and Country Office structures.
• Evaluate financial and reputational risk in transactions carried out by offices in the region, especially with regard to expiring/expired grants, and raise flags when action is needed by management.

Support regional PBR processes through financial analysis:

• Work closely with Regional Chief of Operations in the review of CO PBR submissions and provide technical guidance to COs on development of their budget including affordability analysis.
• Contribute to ensuring Regional Office and Country Office submissions are in compliance with various policy guidelines and standards, including management of positions.

Regional oversight on grant utilization and management:

• Apply a risk-based management approach by using corporate information tools, KPIs, regular and specific CO reports and information gathered from other sources to consolidate and analyse the performance of the RO and country offices for regional reviews.
• Support regional oversight and provide regular feedback and recommendations on the application of policies and procedures, risks, and achievements of operational functions, including internal control and systems.
• Provide regional oversight for grant management according to allotment, codes and certify compliance with guidelines and procedures, as well as donor conditionalities. Keep stakeholders informed for timely action.
• Review compliance of draft donor reports to donor conditionalities before finalization.

Knowledge and capacity building:

• Promote culture of highest ethical standards and behaviour in management of UNICEF’s resources.
• Contribute to initiatives and new system developments for management improvement by capturing, institutionalizing and sharing best practices and lessons learned.
• Implement and/or recommend management improvements to enhance productivity and performance including affordability analysis, grant management, tracking of allocation and re-allocation of budget and budget utilisation
• Coordinate a regional network of budget and grant management focal points for regular updates and organize trainings and regional learning events to build capacity of staff.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s) in one of the following areas is required: Business management, financial management, international relations, political science, communications, international development or any other relevant technical field.
• Work Experience: 

  A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in financial management, audits, data analysis, resource mobilization, external relations, or implementing organizational initiatives in planning or operational areas in an international organization and/or large corporation is required.

  Additional experience in one of the following areas would be desirable:

  • Data analysis, research, knowledge management
  • Grant management
  • Enterprise Risk Management
  • Private sector and supporting PSFR
  • Experience in supporting client-oriented work units is an asset
  • Familiarity with Microsoft applications is required

  • Experience in a UN system agency or organization some of which served in a developing country is considered as an asset.

  • 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.  Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

Remarks:

Nationals of the country are eligible provided they have at least two (2) years of international work experience: gained through assignments with other offices outside the country of nationality of at least 1 year duration.

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

The 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 

(8)  Nurtures, Leads and Manages People

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

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 may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

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’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female 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.

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.