Finance Associate for Partnership, Temporaty Appointment (364 days), G-6, Odesa, Ukraine (Open for Ukraine Nationals Only)

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.

For every child, hope

UNICEF Ukraine

How can you make a difference?

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 favoritism. 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.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Budget Monitoring

• Monitors budgets and financial expenditures of section, ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations, keeping supervisor informed and advised on actions for decision/follow up.
• Provides support on budget revision/preparation, implementation status, determination position of funding utilization, operational, and financial closure.
• Prepares and maintains records, documents and control plans for the budget monitoring of project/programme implementation.
• Advises and assists on all aspects related to the preparation of reports, compilation of data and answering queries on fund commitments recorded, funds received, and adjustments made to ensure financial compliance, accuracy and completeness of data for its inclusion into the statement of accounts and adjustment of budgets. Advise units of discrepancies and assist in resolving differences in their records.
• Carries out transactions in VISION pertaining to grants for his/her section such as registering grant allotments and tracking expiring programme grants.

Support to Financial Control

• Maintains and develops unit/work plans and budgets as well as off line financial status reports for Unit work plans.
• Review and process payments in VISON related to HACT, utility payments, supplies, PO, advances and other payments. Check that the requests have the necessary supporting documents, including original documents, the validity of the charge, the certification by responsible staff and are coded correctly. File the transactions and the related supporting documents regularly and share copies with relevant sections as required.
• Process budget revisions of Unit projects for approval of the Chief
• Submit periodic financial reports for management oversight, monitoring and review and confirm availability of funds as required.
• Maintains financial records and monitoring systems to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, payments, statements and other data for day-to-day transactions and reports.
• Selects 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.
• Prepares recurring reports as schedules and special reports, as required for budget preparation, audits or other reasons.

Financial Support for Partners

• Support the review of partner financial reports and supporting documentation, provide feedbacks to partners and flag any compliance and financial management issues to UNICEF management.
• Verify completeness and accuracy of all accounting and budgeting documents as soon as data is   received.
• Collaborate closely with partners to ensure completeness, correctness and accuracy of financial reports and supporting documents.
• Assist the revision and preparation of partner’s direct cash transfer requests, revise both advance payments and expenses reported.
• Assist in building and tracking all partners budgets and financial reporting results.
• Provide support in the preparation of internal finance reporting.
• Ensure compliance with UNICEF procedures and guidelines.
• Together with Program staff, provide backstopping and problem solving for partners to reach the specific reporting requirements.
• Conduct periodical finance visit to partners to ensure partners compliance with UNICEF processes
• Assist in the implementation of finance policies, procedures and systems.
• Provide support in the preparation and conduct of financial trainings for partner organizations.
• Collaborate closely with partner organizations on regular basis to provide financial and program support in areas of finance.
• Coordinates with the HACT Focal Point, Finance Officer, Programme staff members and Third-Party Auditors to arrange and conduct Financial Assurance activities of programme implementing partners in compliance with UNICEF Financial & HACT policies, procedures and Guidance notes in accordance with the quarterly HACT Assurance Plans. 
• Any other relevant tasks assigned by supervisor

Impact of Results

The work of Finance directly impacts the quality and timeliness of the delivery of a range of different services for which the unit is accountable. The efficiency and effectiveness of the Finance Associate directly impacts on the optimum, appropriate and effective use of resources and efficient financial recording, accounting and reporting, which in turn facilitates management oversight, decision making and quality control.

The effective and successful achievement of results by the incumbent directly impacts on the ability of UNICEF to systematically and adequately fulfill its fiduciary responsibilities to its clients and enhances the organization’s financial and programme performances.

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

Education:

• Completion of secondary education is required, with professional/university level qualifications in Accounting and Finance/Business administration considered as an asset.

Experience:

• A minimum of six years of clerical experience in the area of finance and accounting is required.
• For this position, a bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a relevant field may replace three years of related work experience. A master’s degree may replace additional two years.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Ukrainian is required. Knowledge of another UN language is considered as an asset.

Skills:

• Training and experience using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other UNICEF software such as SharePoint; knowledge of integrated management information systems required.
• In-depth knowledge of UNICEF organizational structure, administrative policies and procedures.
• Organizational, planning and prioritizing skills and abilities.
• Ability to deal patiently and tactfully with visitors.
• High sense of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different national and cultural background.
• Ability to work in a team environment to achieve common goals and to provide guidance to more junior support staff.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, 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.

Core competencies

• Communication (II)
• Working with People (II)
• Drive for Results (II)

Functional Competencies:

• Analyzing (II)
• Applying Technical Expertise (II)
• Planning & Organizing (II)
• Following Instructions and Procedures (II)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable women are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

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

This position is based in Odesa, and the incumbent will be expected to work on-site. However, depending on the security conditions and advisory, s/he will be required to relocated within Ukraine.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.