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..

As part of the Analysis and Monitoring unit in DFAM’s Financial Reporting and Grant Management section in NYHQ, this post will be responsible for oversight and monitoring compliance with UNICEF’s Financial and Administrative Policies and Procedures and providing relevant technical and system support to offices to ensure completeness and accuracy of financial statements. This is necessary for achieving the organizational objective of ensuring robust and appropriate financial reporting to external and internal stakeholders is provided. 

Under the general guidance of the Deputy Chief, Analysis & Monitoring, the Accountant will support the assigned regions/divisions and/or focus area by providing technical and system advice to ensure adherence of financial transactions to UNICEF’s Financial and Administrative Policies and Procedures. The accountant will also analyze and monitor such financial transactions for compliance with IPSAS and UNICEF’s Financial Regulations and Rules identifying any gaps and recommending appropriate solutions.

How can you make a difference?

1. Financial Analysis and Monitoring. 
   • Review and analyze the financial activities of the assigned region/division and/or focus area, including the balance sheet and income statements of each assigned country/division.
   • Identify and monitor trends, variances, ratios and any process or system gaps that require attention.
   • Oversee and monitor compliance with UNICEF’s rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines ensuring that offices have access to and are familiar with the relevant documentation.
   • Perform periodic processing/closing activities which includes year-end accounts closure in preparation for the annual audit. 
2. Reporting.  Produce timely and informative reports, schedules, and analysis both on regular and ad hoc basis for action by offices and management decision-making.
3. Preparation and Maintenance of Procedures. 
   • Ensure timely updates to UNICEF Financial and Administrative procedures
   • Provide detailed list of instructions to stakeholders based on policies and procedures established in official UNICEF documentation.
   • Identify and provide feedback and recommendation to management related to improvements to the system, reports and UNICEF’s policies, procedures, and processes.
4. Field office support. 
   • Communicate with country office and/or division focal points the status of their respective financial data highlighting required action, if any; proactively and comprehensively. 
   • Provide technical support to offices in management of financial transactions including long outstanding items and other anomalies. 
5. Perform other duties as required.

To qualify as a champion, for every child you will need to have…

• Education: A valid professional certification (Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant or equivalent), from an internationally recognized accredited chartered accountancy institution, is required. An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Accounting or Auditing. Preference will be given to holders of Professional Accounting or Auditing qualifications. 
• Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in positions of increasing responsibility in the field of accounting, or financial auditing, is required.
• Experience working in a managerial role.
• Experience performing financial analysis.
• Experience working with International Financial Accounting Standards (IFRS) or International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
• Experience working with enterprise resources management (ERP) systems, particularly SAP.
• Experience in the non-profit sector or working internationally is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of the UN system is highly desirable.
• 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 (CRITA) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

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. 

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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks:

This position is effective 1 February 2023

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

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

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 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.