Finance Officer, NOB, TA, Lviv, Ukraine (#00119793)

Contract

This is a NO-2 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-2 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, every right

In 2022, the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine enters its eighth year and continues to take a heavy toll on the civilian population of 3.4 million people, including 510,000 children living in the Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts. The violations of July 2020 ceasefire have significantly intensified, damaging indispensable civilian objects. Landmine contamination remains a major source of threat to the life and safety of children. Limited access to basic services continues to threaten the mental and physical well-being of children. The risk of conflict escalation in Ukraine has increased. The situation has become more volatile since October 2021 with heightened geo-political tensions, troop movements and an increasing trend in the number of security incidents and ceasefire violations along the contact line between Government (GCA) and Non-Government Controlled Areas (NGCA) in Eastern Ukraine. As of 19 December 2021, the number of ceasefire violations had increased by around 64% in Q4 of 2021, compared to Q3.

Russian Federation’s incursion into Ukraine’s territory on 24 February 2022 hightened the security risk for millions of children leaving in all parts of Ukraine. Military operations are continued and the increasing number of casualties are being reported. Thousands of people flee from conflict affected regions towards the western borders. The situation requires urgent actions from development partners both on preparedness and response.

How can you make a difference?

1. Support to financial planning and management

• Provide technical and operational support on the application, interpretation and implementation of financial policies, procedures, and guidelines to the team. Resolve routine financial issues and/or recommend (and record) deviation from procedures and guidelines to meet objectives.
• Evaluate financial and reputational risk in transactions carried out by the office and raise flags when actions are needed by management.
• Prepare and/or monitor budget & financial exception reports to assess unusual activities and transactions, investigate anomalies, and keep supervisor informed for timely 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.
• Where applicable, advise and support the Finance and Administration Officer and Deputy Representative Operations on budget preparation, strategic income projection/ reporting, setting, and monitoring performance indicators, revenue, and expense reporting, and provide technical advice during strategic planning exercises.
• Provide support to the budget & financial planning process for cash transfer projects delivered by Social Policy and other sections by preparing and analyzing financial data/estimates and documentations, verifying relevancy, accuracy, and completeness to facilitate budgeting, financial planning. Provide financial operational support throughout the financial planning and implementation process.
• Serve as contract manager to banks (financial service providers) or provide support to same by ensuring compliance to contract terms and conditions by all FSPs
• Support Budget Owner with review of budget implementation according to allotment, codes and certify compliance with guidelines and procedures. Keep stakeholders informed for timely action.

2. Control of accounts

• Process and/or review (as per delegated authority) the accurate and timely submission of payments (e.g. payroll, MIP, travel claims, pension fund, advances to governments etc), journal entries and other financial transactions within scope to the Global Shared Services Center (GSSC), ensuring 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 finance unit.
• Process/supervise (as per delegated authority) the disbursement of payments when done locally via bank letters, checks, or petty cash.
• Process/supervise cash receipts and reconcile income contributions to ensure their timely deposit and recording in UNICEF systems.

• Monitor and analyse financial transactions, accounting reports and reconciliation of accounts to ensure accurate and current financial information for applicable compliance (e.g. IPSAS, donor reporting, internal policies) and management oversight, planning and/or action.

• Prepare or 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 and to follow to resolution of financial observations and recommendations.
• Assure proper and timely completion of accounts closure activities (monthly, quarterly, and yearly)
• Examine 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.
• Perform other tasks as necessity may appear in connection with increase in the scope and volume of finance function responsibilities due to expanding of country office programme needs.

3. Treasury and cash management

• Manage bank, petty and cash on hand accounts transactions and operations in accordance with UNICEF/UN financial regulations and rules, policies, procedures, 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 a system to monitor and forecast periodic cash requirements. Provide current information on cash position/forecast to management and make recommendation or take action to ensure sufficient availability of resources for programmes and operations activities.
• Review monthly bank reconciliation and take appropriate corrective actions on findings identified by the GSSC.

4. Knowledge and capacity building

• Promote culture of highest ethical standards and behaviour in management of UNICEF’s resources.
• Contribute to initiatives for management improvement by capturing, institutionalizing, and sharing best practices and lessons learned. Implement and/or recommend management improvements 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…

Education: An advanced university degree (Master's) in financial management related fields such as Budget Management, Accountancy or Finance or their equivalent, is required.

A certification in CIPFA or its equivalent or a valid professional certification (CA; CPA; etc.) from an internationally recognized or accredited chartered accountancy institution is an advantage.

*A Bachelor’s degree in accounting, budget and financial management or relevant field, a valid professional certification as indicated above, combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

Experience: A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in budget / financial management, accounting, controlling or audits in an international organization and/or large corporation is required.

Experience in a UN system agency or organization some of which served in a developing country is considered as an asset.

Experience in Cash Transfer projects 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.

Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Ukrainian is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

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

To view our competency framework, please visit 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.

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:

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.