Budget Officer (HACT and PSEA), NO-1, TA (364 days), Chisinau, Moldova (For Moldova nationals only)

Contract

This is a NO-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-1 contracts.

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, Champion...

The war in Ukraine has triggered the fastest growing refugee crisis since World War II. The overwhelming majority of refugees are women and children, often separated from husbands and fathers who remained in Ukraine; older people; and significant numbers of unaccompanied children, including those from state care facilities.

Local and national authorities have established reception facilities at border crossing points to receive new arrivals and are providing life-saving assistance, including accommodation, food, and other basic needs, as well as onward transport for those moving to urban centers. In the reception centers, information is also provided on the asylum process and temporary protection, as well as on the risks of trafficking. Access to basic rights and services, such as health, has been facilitated. Steps have already been taken to foster protection and inclusion into national systems, such as for health and education. Referral services are being scaled up, focusing especially on case management and protection of unaccompanied children and those evacuated from boarding schools, institutions and other alternative care arrangements, survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), victims of trafficking, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.

https://www.unicef.org/moldova/en/contact-us

How can you make a difference?

The Budget Officer (HACT and PSEA), NOA reporting to the Operations Manager, NOC.

The Budget Officer is responsible for the effective and efficient budget management services to the country office and support the Supervisor in oversight and leadership with regard to the management of the programme budget, work closely with programme staff in ensuring that funds are monitored, and grants are effectively managed. In addition, the Budget Officer supports office with the professional financial, operational and administrative assistance throughout the programming process by preparing, managing and/or executing a variety of technical and administrative tasks to facilitate the effective implementation of HACT in line with the UNICEF HACT Policy and UNICEF HACT procedure.

The Budget Officer 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 Regulations and Rules, policies, procedures, guidelines, standards of accountability, and ethics.

1. Budget management services, including support to financial planning and management of the programme budget

• Provide support to the financial planning process for CPMP by preparing/analyzing financial data/estimates and documentations verifying relevancy, accuracy and completeness to support budget planning. Provide financial operations support throughout the financial planning and implementation process.
• Review budget expenditures according to allotment and codes and verify compliance with guidelines and procedures. Keep stakeholders informed for timely action.
• Provide technical and operational support on the application, interpretation and implementation of operational policies, procedures and guidelines to the Representative and CO colleagues and stakeholders. Resolve routine financial operational issues and/or recommend (and record) deviation from policies and guidelines to meet objectives.
• Provide technical support to the programme counterparts/committees, e.g. review budgets and financial plans of implementing partners; monitor compliance with HACT framework, including support to assessments, assurance and capacity development of implementing partners.
• Prepare and/or monitor financial exception reports to assess unusual activities and transactions, investigate anomalies, and keep supervisor informed for timely action.
• Review financial and reputational risks in the transactions carried out by the office and raise flags when action is needed by management.
• Where applicable, support PSFR activities on budget preparation, strategic income projection/ reporting, setting and monitoring performance indicators, revenue and expense reporting, and provide technical advice during strategic planning exercises.

2. Support to HACT planning during the programming process and technical assistance with the implementation of financial and PSEA assurance activities

• Participate in HACT planning and discussions and support the development and completion of HACT plans through research, collection, analysis and reporting of related information/data to facilitate planning and priority setting for HACT activities.

• Provide technical and operational support throughout the process by executing/administering technical, operational and administrative transactions and preparing related materials/documentations to ensure the incorporation of HACT into the country programme.

• Prepare CO-wide micro assessment and assurance plans in collaboration with other programme staff and relevant operations colleagues.

• Prepare information on shared implementing partners to facilitate joint planning and execution of micro assessments and audits in line with the UNICEF HACT procedure.
• Serve as the reference person on HACT implementation in the office.

• Facilitate the execution of HACT activities undertaken by external service providers through scheduling, arranging briefings and related administrative needs to ensure service providers have appropriate and comprehensive information for effective and efficient completion of assignments.

• Conduct and/or coordinate spot checks and PSEA assessments of implementing partners in collaboration with other CO staff.

• Support the preparation of HACT implementation status report in eTools and InSight through collation of implementation information from relevant CO colleagues.

• Contribute to the development and monitoring of implementation of CO HACT related SOPs and internal procedures, including for escalation of issues identified through assurance activities

3. Networking and inter-agency partnership on the implementation of HACT

• Provide technical information and operational support to implementing partners, UN system partners and other stakeholders in the CO on the implementation of HACT to reinforce UN/CO harmonization and coordination.

• Build and sustain effective close working partnerships with government counterparts and national stakeholders through active sharing of HACT information and knowledge to facilitate/build their capacity for implementing HACT.

• Participate in appropriate inter-agency meetings/events to facilitate and promote sharing of information, knowledge, experiences and best practices.

• Interact regularly with other country offices and the regional office on HACT.

4. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building in programme budget management and HACT related activities

• Identify, synthesize and share lessons learned from HACT and its implementation for integration into broader knowledge development planning and management efforts.

• Identify, synthesize and share lessons learned and best practice in the implementation of HACT.

• Contribute to design and implementation of capacity development strategy/initiatives for implementing partners which can be supported by UNICEF through identification of common weaknesses in financial and procurement management from review of micro assessment and assurance activity reports of high and significant risk partners.

• Contribute to the design and implementation of capacity development strategy/initiatives for CO staff to ensure that staff has the knowledge and skills to fulfill their responsibilities under HACT.

• Promote a culture of highest ethical standards and behavior in management of UNICEF’s resources.
• Support initiatives for management improvement by capturing, institutionalizing and sharing best practices and lessons learned. Recommend improvements in processes and procedures to enhance productivity and performance including implementation of cost saving strategies.
• Participate and/or organize training and learning events to build capacity of staff and stakeholders/partners.
• Support operations of the office as required.

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

• A first level university degree in accounting, financial management or another related financial field is required. Supplemental formal financial / accounting training may be accepted if university degree is not in a related financial field. Diploma qualification in CIPFA is acceptable in lieu of relevant university degree, or its equivalent.

• A minimum of 1 year of professional experience in financial management or audit is required.

  Experience in an international organization and/or large corporation is preferred.

  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

• Working knowledge in Romanian is required. Knowledge of English, another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

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: 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.

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. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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.

Remarks:

Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

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

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

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Appointments are also 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.