Fixed Term: Programme Budget Officer (Education), NOB, Islamabad, Pakistan

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 toughest places, to reach the world 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, Hope!

Pakistan was the sixth country in the world to sign and ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child, less than one year after it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. However, children and adolescents living in Pakistan still face acute challenges.

UNICEF supports the Government of Pakistan to accelerate progress for children, work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and help children realize their rights under the Convention on the Rights of Children. This will be made through, among other things, strong partnerships with provincial authorities, teachers and health professionals, frontline workers and social mobilisers, communities and families, and of course the children and adolescents themselves.

In particular, UNICEF will work so that:

• Every child survives and thrives -- being in good health, immunized, protected from polio and accessing nutritious food.
• Every child learns.
• Every child is protected from violence and exploitation and registered at birth.
• Every child lives in a safe and clean environment, with access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.

To learn more about UNICEF work in Pakistan, please visit the country website www.unicef.org/pakistan and videos on YouTube and Vimeo

Under the supervision of the Education Manager, the incumbent provides professional technical assistance and support for successful contribution management, programme/financial planning, financial analysis and related knowledge management of programmes/projects and activities, and financial reporting in support of the achievement of country programme goals and objectives.

To make a difference, the incumbent shall be responsible for following key strategic functions, accountabilities and related duties/ tasks;

1. Strategic Planning

• Contribute to strengthening Education programme planning with a focus on financial and budgeting aspects.
• Participate and provide technical support in programme’s financial planning to bring coherence, synergy and added value to the programming planning and design processes using results-based budgeting and equity approaches to programme design.
• Provide financial planning guidance to rolling work plan development (RWP), annual development of budgets for UNICEF’s financial systems and for UNICEF’s contributions to the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNSCDF).
• Prepare financial forecasts in consultation with programme managers at CO and FO for donor grants (especially GPE) to ensure availability of funding to support programme implementation.

2. Coordination

• Set-up coordination mechanisms with Planning, Monitoring, Reporting (PMR) and Education staff at the CO and FO to ensure sharing of information and exchange of ideas.
• Coordinate responses to financial queries and enquiries from donors and PPD/NYHQ and the provision of programme financial and budget overview.
• Support development and refinement of budgets and preparation funding proposals.
• Facilitates partnerships and collaboration with external and internal counterparts in order to improve exchange of data on programme implementation, particularly budget and financial elements. Participates in teleconferences, meetings and periodic face-to-face meetings with partners and contributes by presenting financial reporting updates and insights.

3. Monitoring

• Monitor allocation and disbursement of Education programme funds making sure that funds are properly allocated, utilized and any advances to implementing partners (Direct Cash Transfers) liquidated as per organizational policy and procedures.
• Alert the Education Manager in the Education Section, responsible programme staff and the provincial Field Offices, on low utilization and recommend budget reallocations based on trend analysis.
• Assist management and programme staff in allocation and reallocation of funds and liaise with the relevant sections including Operations and PMR to support grant monitoring. Conduct regular review and reconciliation of grants (especially for GPE and EU); provide analysis by using the standard programme indicators/KPIs. Carry out quarterly/bi-annual/annual budget adjustment as required.
• As focal point for budget and financial data and analysis, participates and supports in development of inputs to programme mid-year/annual reviews, programme mid-term reviews, evaluations and assessments.

4. Reporting

• Prepare, review and analyze financial reports and recommend actions to be taken to maximize the efficiency of the fund utilization. In case of variance or irregularities of fund implementation alert Education Manager, programme and, field office staff and recommend financial adjustments to ensure smooth implementation of the programme. Bring key issues to the attention of the Education Manager and Section Chief.
• Prepare as well as manage and coordinate the process of donor reports including specific financial reports for GPE and EU which require manual reporting for submission to donors and the government in accordance with UNICEF policies. Monitor programme’s financial implementation progress and compliance especially for GPE funds. Monitor compliance to ensure key performance indicators, objectives and targets as per the programme design are met and achieved. Analyze and prepare invoices/payment requests for grants based on payment by results in coordination with PMR.

5. Capacity Development

• Provide technical assistance and support in planning and organizing training programmes for the purpose of capacity building. Undertake capacity development initiatives to train provincial education programme staff and Programme Associates and promote the efficient use of corporate systems including financial management/reporting systems for performance monitoring, review and reporting of programme implementation for the Education section.

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

• Advanced University degree (Master's or above) in Management, Public Administration, Finance, Statistics or equivalent professional work experience in the donor relations and contribution management combined with advanced university degree in a related discipline.

• *A first University Degree (Bachelor's) in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• Two years professional progressively responsible experience in programme design, administration, or related field. Specific experience in data and financial analysis and information presentation for decision makers in a social development organization.
• Working knowledge of grants management, preferably in an international development context. Should be familiar with financial management processes (disbursement, forecasting and budgeting) and financial monitoring and reporting.
• Ability to organize and implement training, including development of training programs, materials, and methodologies.
• Ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
• Advanced computer skills, including internet navigation, and various office applications.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

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

The competencies required for this post are 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)

View our competency framework at Competency Framework Brochure.pdf

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

Life at UNICEF

Working at UNICEF is highly rewarding. With attractive remuneration package encompassing competitive pay and benefits, a culture that helps staff thrive and diverse opportunities for personal and professional development, we aim to help you maintain a fulfilling life both at and outside the office.

We make sure you and your loved ones receive the resources and care that you need to thrive. Our contracts, benefits and wellbeing policies and initiatives ensure that you are well equipped to effectively deliver for children such as;

• Tax exemption, family allowances, hardship benefits, 10 UN holidays and annual leave allowance, maternity, paternity, adoption leave, medical and dental insurance, pension etc.
• Career support, staff wellbeing programme, breastfeeding policy, flexible work arrangements, childcare room, family support, policies & initiatives, security etc.

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.

Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Remarks:

• Post will be effective 1-Mar-2022.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Higher Education Commission (HEC) attested Degree(s) are a pre-requisite for employment at UNICEF. During the recruitment process candidates will be required to present HEC attested degrees/certificates