Finance Officer, FT, NOA, East Jerusalem, State of Palestine

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 fulfil 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, a care

UNICEF in the State of Palestine works to uphold the rights of children to access services and protection, from early childhood through to adolescence. Our objective is to ensure that every child in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, irrespective of background or circumstance, has an equal chance to fulfill their potential. We are working for every child and young person in the State of Palestine.

The ability of the Finance Officer to effectively manage and execute financial transactions and services directly impacts on meeting organizational/staff needs and program delivery of goals and objectives. This in turn contributes to maintaining/enhancing the credibility of UNICEF as an effective and responsible manager of funds entrusted to the organization and to furthering UNICEF’s image as a competent organization for delivering cost effective and sustainable program results.

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision of the Administrative and Finance Specialist, the Finance Officer will be responsible for close guidance, training and supervision. The Finance Officer provides support to the supervisor and colleagues in the office by administering and executing a variety of technical and professional transactions/initiatives in financial management and services, applying theoretical skills and acquiring thorough knowledge of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and organizational goals and objectives, Financial Regulations and Rules, policies and procedures through the performance of tasks.

As an advocate for children, you will have the following duties/tasks:

1. Support to financial planning and management

• Provide operational and technical assistance in 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.
• Assess budget expenditures to verify compliance to allotment, codes, guidelines and procedures. Prepare regular analysis, modification and reports on the budget situation for higher management oversight and action.
• 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 financial exception reports, highlight 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, advise and 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. Control of accounts

• Process the submission of payments (e.g. MIP, travel claims, pension fund, advances to governments etc), journal entries and other financial transactions within scope on a timely basis to the Global Shared Services Center (GSSC), and ensure compliance with budgetary limits, IPSAS and organizational regulations, rules, policies, procedures, standards of accountability, and ethics. Take timely action on outstanding accounts to resolve pending issues. This includes dialogue and follow up with the GSSC to facilitate timely processing of financial transactions submitted to the center.
• Process (as per delegated authority) the disbursement of payments when done locally via bank letters, checks, or petty cash.
• Process cash receipts and reconcile income contributions to ensure their timely deposit and recording in UNICEF systems
• Monitor, assess and analyze financial transactions, accounting reports and reconciliation of accounts and prepare accurate and current financial information for applicable compliance (e.g. IPSAS, donor reporting, internal policies) and management oversight, planning and/or action.
• Contribute to mandated management/statutory office financial and accounting reports to UNICEF Board/Bodies/Donors, verifying the reliability of data and compliance with organizational guidelines.
• Collaborate with oversight bodies (e.g. UNBOA, OIAI, Evaluation Office, JIU, donors, etc.) to provide answers to requests; and engage with the appropriate colleagues to resolve financial observations and recommendations raised in a sustainable and efficient manner.
• Complete applicable accounts closure activities (monthly, quarterly and yearly) on a timely basis and per closure instructions.
• Review DCT transactions (transfer, adjustments, reprogramming and liquidation) supporting documents to ensure FACE form has been properly entered into the system and the expenditure is broadly reasonable and in accordance with policy.

3. Treasury and cash management

• Support the control, operations and management of bank, petty and cash on hand accounts in accordance with UNICEF/UN financial regulations and rules and local banking practices. Keep abreast of procedures and regulations regarding maintenance of bank accounts and exchange and interests rates. Keep supervisor and relevant colleagues informed for timely action.
• Maintain contact with local bank management on routine operational matters.
• Maintain a system to monitor and forecast periodic cash requirements. Provide current information on cash position/forecast to management and make recommendations to ensure sufficient availability of resources for programmes and operations activities.
• Submit monthly bank statements to the GSSC for reconciliation and take necessary corrective action on findings identified by the center.

4. Knowledge and capacity building

• Promote 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 a Champion for every child you will have:

• A 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.
• One year of professional experience in financial management or audit is required.
• Experience in an international organization and/or large corporation is 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 an asset.
• Experience with IPSAS and/or IFRS is an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is 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

The functional competencies required for this post are:

• Formulating strategies and concepts (II)
• Analyzing (II)
• Applying technical expertise (II)
• Learning and researching (II)
• Planning and Organizing (II)

Core Competencies

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

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 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:

This position is not considered an elevated risk role. However, UNICEF reserves the right to conduct further vetting/assessment within the scope of child safeguarding as appropriate.

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