Finance Officer, P-2, Grants Management Unit, DFAM, Brussels, Belgium, #121860

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… 

Under the supervision of the Finance Manager, the incumbent will contribute towards the efficient and timely processing of contributions, special accounts and other funding arrangements in adherence with UNICEF Financial Regulations and Rules, policies and directives. Assist immediate supervisor and Chief of Grants Management Unit, Division of Financial and Administrative Services (DFAM) in the review of work processes towards introducing efficiencies and assist in preparing training material in the relevant areas of work. Analyze receivables for designated donors/customers and verify correctness of application of receipts.

How can you make a difference?

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

1. Provide support in the preparation of NFRs with clear and accurate transaction processing instructions, attach relevant supporting documents, obtain necessary approvals and submit to GSSC for processing (e.g., refund of unspent balance, recording of debit note, reprogramming, write-downs, etc.).

2. Generate and analyze VISION (SAP) and Insight reports on overdue receivables, unapplied receipts, unspent balances, including: Provide monthly analysis reports for overspent grants with country offices. Support with relevant data to assist country offices in resolving overspent grants. Participate in the review of revenue/receivables issues. Support Finance Manager in the review of issues needed to process corrections. Support country offices to ensure receipts for Common Services are correctly recorded in the Unapplied Contributions Receipts GL. Provide support in US Collection process.

3. For special purpose grants (i.e., Contribution in Kind (CIK), Common Services and RR Local Costs): Review grant creation requests and applicable supporting documents (donor agreements/ MOUs/ LTAs/ CIK processing forms etc.) for adequacy, accuracy and completeness for Finance Manager’s review/approval and submit service gateway requests to GSSC for processing. Review grant amendment requests and applicable supporting documentation for accuracy and completeness for Finance Manager’s approval and submit service gateway requests to GSSC for processing.

4. Provide support during year-end and annual audit process.

5. Support capacity building and knowledge transfer activities to PPD/ GSSC/ country offices.

6. Provide input for system enhancements and Grant management reporting dashboards. Communication

7.Communicate the results of the review and reconciliation activities to supervisor; other HQ divisions and/or country or regional offices.

8. Assist in drafting of policies and procedures applicable to the area of financial resources management, guidelines, work processes and training materials.

9. Follow up on unresolved issues in a timely manner

10. Other assignments at the request of the supervisor.

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

• A first level university degree (Bachelor’s) in Business Administration, Financial Management and/or any related field is required.  Professional Accounting or Auditing Qualification (such as Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant or equivalent) is highly desirable. Preference will be given to holders of Professional Accounting qualifications or equivalent. 
• A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible professional work experience, at the national and international levels, in the area of finance and accounting is required.
• Experience working with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) is highly desirable.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel is required. 
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is considered an asset.

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.

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

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

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.